MYSTERY SOLVED

Is the title I chose for this post - but really -

WE SCREWED UP ….. or ……

WE REALLY SCREWED UP ….. or …..

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SCREW UP - DO IT WELL …..

are all the other titles that went through my mind.

If you recall from last post - we've been having some trouble getting pesos from the ATM machines at the Commercial Mexicana.

First, it was our bank - Scotiabank - that cut us off a few weeks ago. Then last week all the other machines refused to give us money - twice.

We were all so happy to chalk it up to how things roll in Mexico - right?! Which was fine because there really is much precedents for us foreigners having trouble getting at our money - either the atm is out of money or just won't cough it up until the magic button is pushed.  No worries - I was happy to go right along with that explanation.

Unfortunately upon my return with Therese last week to check the atm again - still no pesos.

Our plan B, of course, was to call our Bank.

I was pretty smug at first - surely it MUST be Scotiabank's fault. That lasted for all of about 30 seconds during my conversation with Alan, who asked …..

"What is the expiration date on the cards?"

And this is when my stomach hit the floor.

Yes, my friends - both of our cards had expired. (Yes, our fault - yes, we should have known better, yes, what kind of travellers leave the country with almost expired atm cards, yes).

And no - it isn't as easy as getting new cards because, well, Scotiabank doesn't issue new cards - you must come in to one of the branches - in Canada of course - for a new one. And if by some miracle that could be arranged - they certainly aren't sending cards to Mexico.

So - after a few days of working with the Bank and Derek's mom - who THANKFULLY is arriving here on Friday - we worked out a plan. A very special celebration will have to take place when Derek's Mom arrives to thank her for saving our butts on this one.

I have to admit - my first thought was not to share our ignorance with all of you. However, since many of our friends here at the RV Park rushed off to check their cards I reconsidered. In the end I decided to share in the hopes that one of you is saved from such a difficult situation. There was no easy fix and in the end the fix isn't perfect but it was our only option.

The thing is we were on top of everything else - Cassia needed a new passport this year ✓- our medical insurance needed to be purchased  ✓ - van insurance  ✓ - all the visa's and permits at the border ✓.

Sigh.

Now - on to better things …..

A few nights ago we took a new dog walking route. It's a road that goes up into the hills somewhat near the park. I've been meaning to take it for a while to get some great views of Playa La Ropa. Knowing that it's a steep climb kept me from going through with my plan.

We threw caution to the wind the other night and decided to go for it.

It starts innocent enough but this isn't the actual road - it's a little short cut.

See what I mean - UP - and this isn't even the worst part. That's behind us - difficult to struggle with each footstep and still take pictures - I didn't have it in me.

Feeling much better now that we hit our stride - and some flatter land. Except for this driveway - imagine driving up it - good thing they don't get ice here!

The reward of course is the stellar views of the ocean and Playa La Ropa below.

Some swanky places up here - just to the right of that deck is an amazing infinity pool.

We only got far enough to pass one restaurant. While Cassia made friends with the seahorse at the entrance - I checked out the menu. 320 pesos for a rib eye?!! - cough cough - not the restaurant for us.

Looking down at the Pacifica Grand.

It was a nice walk to 1/2 way up the hill but we hope to return during a stellar sunset. Cassia isn't so keen to go all the way to the top but Derek and I are. Those pictures next week ….. ahhhh - so happy Grandma is on the way…..

With no access to our own money we have been on a bit of a spending freeze. Last night we finally broke and headed back to Paty's for happy hour. Thanks to the generosity of our RV Park friends, we have enough pesos to get us through until Friday.

 The owners must have kids. Nothing like a playground in the middle of the sitting area.

Have I mentioned how fast Cassia's hair is growing these days. This is all she has acquired in her almost six years - about two inches of it has appeared since we hit Zihuatanejo!

A shot of Derek enjoying his beer courtesy of Cassia. Really - I think Polar Bear was the real subject of the picture - or Minnie….

It's been quite cloudy the last few days. An interesting sunset because the colour was confined to the little break in the clouds behind the boat.

Derek walked out to the beach to get a shot.

Then later he struck up a conversation with a nice couple from Seattle. 

So - that's how it's been here.

A bit of a roller coaster.

Have I mentioned that I don't take stress particularly well? The money thing kinda hit us hard especially since it was preventable. A mistake - a mistake we hit out of the ball park.

Off to check the expiry date on your cards?

I'll be back tomorrow night with our pics from today - El Centro and some beach time.

Teresa

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