Getting Acclimated - Friday-Saturday


11/11/2023 Saturday

Getting Acclimated

My Airbnb Garden Area
 

I’m starting to get acclimated to life here in Atlixco. I’m beginning to realize that I don’t live on a tight schedule anymore. I found myself skimming the Strib (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) this morning and not paying as much attention to the latest dire predictions.

Thursday night I went to bed just before midnight, woke up at 3:00 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep to save my soul. I finally quit trying at about 4:00 and got up and started going over some Spanish lessons. At 8:30 I started getting drowsy, but I’m supposed to work from 9:00 to 11:00 so I couldn’t lay down then.

At 10:00, the cleaning lady arrived, and I found myself moving my laptop from place to place to stay out of her way. She offered to put my dirty clothes in the washer, but I was on the phone and told her that it could wait until next Friday. When I took stock later, I realized I will have just barely enough clean clothes to last until then. Oh, well.

After work, I did some more Spanish studying and shopped around for places to live. Martha will come today at about 2:00 and well check out some of the places that have possibilities. It’s a balancing act, juggling numerous factors, like finding a convenient location, is a low price for an unfurnished place is worth having to buy everything (including stove and fridge) or should I spend more for furnished. I would prefer a house, but maybe a furnished apartment in the right location would be more amenable to my lifestyle. Because I’m committed to not buying a car, access to buses is also a factor. A lot to consider.

I hit the hay at 10:00 sharp last night and was instantly asleep. I woke up a few times with foot and calf cramps, but otherwise slept soundly until 6:30 AM. I got up and felt well rested and ready to rock. The sun was shining and it was 60° with a slight breeze; perfect weather for a nice long walk. I got my Nordic sticks and headed out, making it ½ hour before I stopped for a brief rest, then turned back, grateful that it was downhill or flat all the way back. On the way, I checked out the outside of one of the places for rent that we will look at this afternoon; then, back home after a stop at the corner tienda.

I started studying some Spanish but decided to play some guitar instead. I am really rusty because I hadn’t played much for the last month, all of my free time going to getting rid of my stuff and learning Spanish. The first couple of times I played here in Atlixco, it felt like I was struggling, and the guitar was fighting me. This morning, it was like old times; the Martin partnered sweetly with me and playing felt effortless, my voice clear and flexible. I actually kissed the upper bout of the old D18 when I finally quit playing and thanked her for being so compliant and smooth.

And that brings you up to date. This old man will have some breakfast and get to work on Spanish comprehension and vocabulary until Martha arrives.

Hasta luego.

  

Location: Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico

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