29º on Monday

No, it wasn't cold yesterday. It was 85ºF here. A welcome warm day after weeks of chilly weather. I'm trying to become efficient at converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius, but let's face it, without a calculator, there is no way for this gringo to get it exactly right. I mean, I can do the subtraction part in my head (Temp in Fº - 32). But then you have to multiply that by 5/9.  5 divided by 9 is 0.55555556.  If I round that to 0.5, then it's possible for me to make the calculation in my... ummm, senior citizenized head. No offense to you geriatric brainiacs. But if I round 5/9 to 0.5, then the temperature in C. will be off by a few degrees. In other words, if it is 104ºF, I might tell someone that it is 36ºC ( 104-32 x 0.5 ). The correct answer would be 40ºC.  36ºC would be 96.8ºF, much cooler than the actual 104ºF! The difference between copiously sweating and more copiously sweating.

Now, if you want to convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, here's how: (9/5 * Tc) + 32 = Tf.  So, if it is 40ºC you multiply 9/5 or 1.8 times 40 and add 32, which =104ºF.  Forget about rounding the 1.8 up to 2.0. That would come out to 112ºF and I would most likely submerge myself in the pool for the entire day in an attempt to avoid most copiously sweating.

Here's what I have come up with.  Between 21ºC and 27ºC is perfect (70-80ºF), between 28ºC and 34ºC is warm (82-93ºF) so dress appropriately. Between 35ºC and 39ºC (95-102ºF) is hot, so be prepared to sweat and ALWAYS walk on the shady side of the street. When the thermometer tops 39ºC, I plan to stay in or near the pool whenever possible. Oh, and 20ºC and below (but not too much below) is ideal for sleeping sin A/C.

Finally, if my body temperature is greater than 37ºC (98.6ºF), I will need to take some acetaminophen because I have a fever. If it hits 40ºC or higher I should probably visit the servicio de urgencias.

12-21-2012

I was flipping through channels earlier this evening for a movie and saw "2012" starring John Cusack. The movie was just beginning so I watched for a few minutes. As soon as the roads in his city starting caving in swallowing cars, homes, and buildings as he speeds through the chaos to save his family, I decided that I was not up to watching yet another end-of-the-world movie.  Since I had my laptop in ...well, my lap, I googled 12-21-2012. There are enough sites to keep one occupied for weeks, including opinions from actors, sports figures, and rap artists, not to mention all sorts of New Age gurus.  Not interested!  However, I did find this article.


Carlos Barrios, who was trained as an Ajq'ij in the Maya tradition, has this to share in regards to 2012:

"Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action... The prophesized changes are going to happen, but our attitude and actions determine how harsh or mild they are.

"This is a crucially important moment for humanity and for earth. Each person is important. If you have incarnated into this era, you have spiritual work to do balancing the planet...The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It's encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way."

I like this. Here's the link to the entire article. It explains what the Mayan elders and scholars think about the ending of the Maya calendar on December 21, 2012. Simplicity, love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, and forgiveness - much of what I have been working on for the past three years. It's really neat that finding our hearts is leading Alan and me to the "heart" of Maya culture.

http://maya12-21-2012.com/2012forum/index.php?topic=7638.0

Natural Air (conditioning)

The bedrooms in Las Lechuzas have no windows to allow for air flow, so these  glass enclosed alcoves were included to allow hot air to escape through screened vents at the roof top, and when the evening breezes begin, the cool air flows inside and cools the room.

The stone walls add a nice backdrop for the plantings which seem to thrive in this protected environment.

There are two openings in the garage which serve as sky lights and air-flow vents. Hot air rises and flows out of the garage. Cooler air flows downward and through the screened openings in the doors into the front sala.  

...and when it is still too hot, a plunge in the pool is a surefire way to cool down. (the hearty palms survived the onslaught of demolition and  construction and are incorporated elsewhere in the landscape).

The pool surface is white cement, yet the water appears very blue.   I'm thinking  there are large quantities of copper sulfate in the water coming from the deep well.

FM3 is not to be...just yet

On the second day of my visit I had an appointment with Adriana at Yucatan Expatriate Services. Their website offers an amazing list of services to assist foreigners in relocating to Mexico.  The plan was to begin my application for an FM3 visa which allows one to stay in Mexico beyond the period of the simple tourist visa and can be renewed annually.  What I did not know is that you must remain in the country for the entire process, which is three weeks give or take a day or two. Since I would be here for only a week this visit, the FM3 would have to wait.  I am still working part-time, so arranging a three week vacation during the summer months will be a little dicey.  Adrianna told me that many of the Mexican Consulates in the United States no longer process visas ( visae?), but the Consulate in Washington still lists this service on their website, so I just sent an e-mail to see if that is a possibility. Other people have told me that they were able to obtain their FM3 in the states. D.C. is a 3 & 1/2 hour drive from Norfolk - inconvenient but not out of the question.  The website states that I will need a valid passport, two front-facing passport photos, a police report (how do I get that?), and proof that I have a monthly income of $1000.00 US.

Adriana is quite knowledgeable about all things expat and gave me lots of good (free) advice.  I'm certain we will utilize their services (very reasonably priced) in the future. If anyone is considering a move to Merida or anywhere in Mexico, check out their website.