It's been a couple of hectic days in Merida for us. We've been having to deal with the Mexican Real Estate Commission so to speak, it's a little frustrating and certainly not like buying property in Canada. As I said earlier, I went to my new dentist and unbeknownst to me Deborah got a little crazy with the camera (with the dentist's help), so I've added a shot of me in the chair. On Friday night it was the Festival of Lights in town, so I've also added a few shots that we took down in the Zocolo. We had a great dinner at Apoala which is in Santa Lucia park. As usual Deb ordered "bien cocido" or well-done and her steak arrived and the thick part of this skirt steak was blue. On the other hand, mine was cooked perfecto. We've been spending quite a bit of time on legal issues, meeting with the lawyer, meeting with the architect and our new contractor Adam, so any type of traditional vacation, site seeing expeditions have been non-existent. We'll have to do these when we return. Because things take time in Merida, we're being told that construction "could" begin no later than December 2017 - if that's the case then we can't possibly be in our new casa until July or September of 2018 so we're a long way off. Today we had a site meeting at 404-A and 404-B with Adam, it was the first time that we were able to get into 404-A - it again was a disaster. No one has probably lived in there for maybe 30 years. The back yard was like a jungle as we hacked our way to the back of the property, always on the constant lookout for Iguana's and the like. Huge trees, huge palm trees and tons of debris but Adam assures me that I shouldn't bother about this as it will ALL be gone and nothing left but a flat lot with three walls and a fence on the street. After our meeting with Adam, we headed over to the Merida Archeological Museo that's on Paseo Montejo. Montejo is often referred to the Champs de Elysee of Merida. Merida offers a wide range of accommodation options from chain hotels to boutique hotels, situated in the most emblematic areas of the city, such as downtown, Paseo Montejo or Avenida Colon. Because of it's location Merida is the perfect jumping off point for day trips, such as as Celestine with its flamingos, the colonial city of Valladolid, archeological sites as Dzibilchaltun, Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, swimming in a cenote, or enjoying the delicious Yucatan food in a hacienda. These are some of the options that one can find just a short drive outside the city, allowing you to be back before sunset. Plus, Merida DOES have a beach ! Puerto Progreso is only 20 minutes from the city and is an excellent option for a relaxed family day, cooling off in the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and trying some local seafood. Poc Chuc, Queso Relleno, Panuchos, Paradzules, Sopa de Lima. The Yucatecan gastronomy is recognized worldwide. We've tried delicious breakfasts of "torta" of lechon or Chochinita Phibil in the local markets and even this afternoon we stopped for gelato and a sorberitos because of the real hot day (100 degrees F). Just then the Coca-Cola events van pulled up along side the restaurant, Mexican music blaring and had three or four "Coke Girls" starting passing out cans of Coke to everyone - What a Country - What a City. We have an on-site meeting with our Vancouver Island architect, Jan tomorrow, so we need to prep with drawings, ideas and Pinterest photos of things we like so that they can be incorporated into the designs. Only three days left in Merida and one in Cancun, so it's all but over. We'll have to make our way over to the ADO bus terminal so that we can reserve our seat on their "Platino Service" to Cancun on Friday afternoon. Then it's just a couple kicks in the ocean in Cancun and we'll be on the plane home. Thanks for following us on this adventure. Bob & Deborah