Winter on Isla Mujeres can be described in one word - wind. It is always howling at various decibels. Even now I hear it whining outside my window. Today has been an exceptionally gray day on the island, but usually we have a rapturous several hours of sunshine that permeates the tropical air with liquid heat. Today is not such a day. Sophia and I finished our first day of volunteering at the English Language School near our flat. It was a small class today, but we had a great time. Sophia was timid at first, but as we played a Spanish/English game and laughed with all the kids she began to loosen up. At the end of class she didn't want to leave.
At the house things are moving at a rapid pace. The bottom floor is walled in and they are putting up 8 x8 hardwood beams on the ceilings. They are gorgeous and really add warmth and texture to the house. They will begin pouring the ceiling next week and are working on the exterior staircase now. We've changed our front arches to include 14 inch square wood beams on stone bases. We have made important changes as we progress and I have been so thankful that we are here to see the process and to make adjustments as needed. Lucy, our architect, has been wonderful to work with and she really understands the atmosphere we are trying to create. She and her husband, Sergio (an engineer) have been a huge blessing.
Last week was 5 days of Carnival on the island. Everywhere you went you saw sequins and feathers on guys and girls. What I loved about the carnival participants on the island is that they were all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. They were men, kids, and grammas; and they all got in on the fun. It was quite an extravaganza. Now it is back to normal life. Time to fix chicken tacos, and then boil the water to do dishes. If it weren't so cloudy I would hang wash on the line on the roof. Instead I will take the dogs for their several mile walk while Sophia goes to her dance class. Life is good on Isla Mujeres.