Are we there yet?

You will probably think I am nuts but I have decided to buy a house here – well almost – I close the end of this week. It is another sows ear but seems to have some potential if the authorities will let me make a few changes. It will keep me out of the bars for a couple of years. I wonder if I have the energy for this still? The price was right and I need a base here that is more permanent than a rental. Most of the rentals are for specific terms and it is really hard to find one that does not specify – “no kids, no pets”. I am posting a picture of the street side and once I get in I will have more pics of the interior. It is small although a bit bigger than the place in Ottawa - no basement of course. It has a nice patio off the kitchen and dining rooms which should make a nice garden.

Speaking of bars I decided to forego the visiting metzo soprano at the Belles Artes Friday night at 8 p.m. and instead looked to see if there is any late night action in this town. This is a small town after all and the action is a bit sparse as far as I can tell so far. Not that I need it very much given my tender age.

I started at about 12:30 a.m. after a late siesta. I tried La Cucaracha first as I had read about it. It is a run down place with sleazy broken down but comfortable furniture and a jukebox and seems to be frequented mostly by young men that look to need a haircut and a good bath. Maybe I was too early. Many of the restaurants have small bars that were open but sparsely populated with couples in the last throws of an evening’s conversation. One had pool tables that were in use. I was told La Petit Bar was where to go but couldn’t find it. I walked into one place that had very loud music emanating from its doors but found it to be populated by young kids dancing to rave-type vibes.

I ended up at Mama Mia’s, which has a pretty good restaurant I have tried in the earlier hours. The ground floor bar was jumping with a live rock band featuring a female singer who was good and had the very tiny dance floor packed and animated. The crowd was a little older. I progressed upstairs to the rooftop bar from where you could see and hear the band below. It was pleasant and warm with a clear sky and waxing half-moon juxtaposed against men’s underwear and lady‘s nighty hanging from the clothesline on the rooftop next door. I ate a couple of tacos that the fellows were preparing on the rooftop grill and they were great. I called it a night at about 2:30. It’s an age thing.

I have since heard there are a couple of other places but I will save those for another time. There is bound to be a place with more traditional Latin music where the older guys go to blow off a little steam, but in this conservative Mexican farm community, who knows?

It was just as well I was out late last night. About 50 students arrived at the hotel from Mexico City and they were having a good time – all night it seems. I slept like a log.