Hello 2025!

God, I hope it is a better year than 2024. I have to say, though, it didn’t quite start out that way.

So, since the hospital visit last year, I continued to have colds and asthma issues for some time. It was very frustrating. I felt good, but my voice was hoarse and I was coughing a lot. I finally got it under control just in time for the holidays.

Christmas

You know Lyn and I aren’t big on Christmas. It is way too commercial and I really hate when social norms dictate my behavior. If I want to buy someone a gift, I will buy it when I see the right thing; not wait until the “season of giving” to go out into the mob-scene that is the mall to frantically shop for something. That said, however, Mexicans LOOOVVVEEEE Christmas! So, despite my attempts to avoid the hubbub, I did a little gift exchange with my tribe of girlfriends here in Merida. We went out for a nice meal at a fun restaurant (500 Noches) where they always have live music and exchanged little gifts with each other.

For Christmas Day, my friend Carmen from Spain (I know several Carmens), came to have dinner with us. I prepared a ham with potatoes au gratin, green beans and rolls. She brought a cherry gelatin dessert, and we also had ice cream sundaes.

Of course, as it usually happens on a holiday, our internet service went down. Unfortunately, it was down all over the street. The company was reluctant to send someone out on Christmas, but I was insistent. They did fix it, but not in time to have music with our dinner or to watch movies on Netflix.

New Year’s

This year, Lyn and I joined some friends and went to a hotel New Year’s party. It was lovely! Of course, I didn’t bring any of my fancy clothes when we moved, so this gave me an excuse to go shopping. I found a lovely little cocktail dress (in the Jr’s department!) with lots of sparkles. The cut was perfect as it hid my bulging tummy. Not that I’m “fat”, but I have gained two dress sizes in the last two years. The gym closing down didn’t help.

Lyn, too dressed up a bit and wore a traditional Mexican guayabera (in purple, no less). He fit in perfectly with the crowd!

Anyway, the event included a buffet banquet that had literally anything you wanted to eat — steak, chops, ham, turkey, salmon, etc. Plus different salads, sides and desserts. The macarons were amazing! There was also live music. There wasn’t a dance floor, so people got up and danced between the tables. Lyn even danced, and I’ve got proof! (See video)

The venue was lovely, too. It was under a beautiful set of enormous trees at a Holiday Inn downtown. There were lights strung all across the garden area, which gave it a lovely golden glow and added to the ambiance of the evening.

Twelve Grapes

When the clock strikes twelve, the tradition here is to eat one grape with each stroke of midnight, or today, as quickly as you can. Every place at the table had a small bag containing the twelve grapes so you would be ready when the time came. It was interesting to watch the other people, many of whom took a head start to ensure they ate them all! You make a wish with each grape, so it helps to know what your wishes are in advance.

Our group included my friends Brenda Alicia, her daughter Brenda Italia, Carmen from Spain, and some additional members of Brenda’s extended family. Since we dont’ know a lot of people here, it was very unexpected to run into someone we do know — Freddy! Freddy is both a friend and a contractor who helps us with repairs around our house. We met him when we lived in the rental house and have adopted him as one of our own.

It was quite the surprise to see him there, but lovely to meet his wife, Ingrid, and some other members of his family. He is the one who took the video of us dancing, much to Lyn’s chagrin!

2025 Kicks Off

Since neither Lyn nor I were working, we took the opportunity to do some fun things. One of which was a visit to Celestun to see the flamingoes. These magnificent birds travel back and forth between their two breeding grounds here on the peninsula — Rio Lagartos and Celestun. We went with my friends Carmen and Brenda (we are quite the trio). On that day, there were some 600 flamingoes in the reserve. Of course, there were also many other birds, crocodiles and critters (like raccoons, possums, etc.) to be seen.

After the boat tour, we went into town to have lunch on the beach and take a stroll. The weather was perfect — not too hot or too cold. It was a lovely excursion. The photo for this post was taken on the beach that day.

The next event of the new year was a lot less fun and included another trip to the ER. This time, it was Lyn’s turn. Apparently, some new medication caused him to have Parkinson’s like symptoms and become extremely confused. Scared the you-know-what out of me!

I was alerted to the issue when our pool guy couldn’t get Lyn to open the door, even though Lyn could see he was there. I rushed back home from my friend’s house to find him half-dressed and talking nonsense. I immediately took him to the ER thinking he might be having a stroke. Fortunately, it was just an adverse reaction to some medication.

The hospital, Star Medica, was wonderful. They took him immediately and called in a neurologist (who spoke perfect English). Once she heard what meds he was taking, she knew right away what it was. She ran bunches of tests to rule out other issues (like stroke), which confirmed her diagnosis. Of course, I was also in contact with my friend and our doctor, Karen, and my other doctor friend, Saadia, in the US while all of this was going on. They were wonderful at reassuring me that all was ok. In fact, Saadia called the diagnosis before I even got to the hospital (she is that good). I am so very grateful for their help and support.

At one point, while I was outside making a call, I ran into the two doctors who treated my cat bite. They were surprised to see me, and when I told them what was happening, they went into the ER to check on Lyn.

I have to say, the medical treatment here is really great. The doctors are very attentive, professional, and extremely kind. I am glad we have managed to finally tap into these resources.

As for Lyn, he is much better after having his meds changed by the neurologist, and is continuing to have some additional tests to ensure that he is not in any danger of something worse. He doesn’t remember much about the experience, but it was one I will certainly never forget!

Since then, things have been relatively quiet. Thank goodness! Vacations are supposed to be restful, right?

European Trip Cancelled

If you read my last post, you know that Lyn and I had booked a 16-day European tour with the Brendas. We ultimately had to cancel as the tour company for some reason wasn’t able to process my credit card. I had already paid a portion in cash, but getting that much cash here is hard and costly due to exchange fees and ATM fees. I don’t know why the company couldn’t take the card (it is a Mastercard that I use all the time here), but we tried several times over several months to make it happen. Ultimately, we decided it wasn’t going to work for us. We received our refund on the same day Lyn was in the ER. The $$$ came in quite handy!

Ya’ know, everything happens for a reason. Clearly the universe was looking out for us again.

So, unfortunately, no big vacation this year. That’s okay with me. I’m going to save up for the trip I really want to take — a safari! It will take a year or two, but I’m definitely going on a safari before I turn 70. That will also be our 30th anniversary. A perfect way to celebrate!

That’s it for now. You are fully up to date! Be well!

Donna