MY TYPICAL DAY

It is still dark here at seven in the morning.  Not until about 7:30 does it begin to get light and the sun doesn't rise over the mountain for another hour.  Therefore getting up early is out of the question (as if I would anyway).  What amazes me most about my life here is that I am busy doing something every day.  I thought I would have plenty of time to read and write.  I have not opened a book and never touched my novel.

I'll have my first couple of cups of coffee (and cigarette) upstairs on the terrace (you will note, it is no longer a roof top deck).  I make my rounds of all the plants to check for new growth or a new flower coming out.   The hummingbirds are out at the first light of day, fighting for a spot at the feeder.  I love watching them.  They are not only different colors, but have different personalities.  Some are very aggressive chasing every other bird away.  Some will patiently wait on the fence for an opening, and one female just sits there sipping away, totally ignoring the fight going on around her.  By the way, the clock on the church steeple has now stopped competely, but the bells go on.

Later I will turn on the computer and TV to watch the news on CNN.  I check my messages, but usually don't answer them until later (some mornings I am simply not capable).  Usually I will cook some eggs, but some mornings I go out for breakfast.  The patio at La Hacienda is my favorite.

Some time each day I go for a latte at my favorite coffee shop.  Once a week I will splurge on a newspaper (it costs more than a triple latte).  They are always one day old, and the guy will try to sell you one that is 2 or 3 days old.  Other days I go over my Day Timer (yes, I know how "old hat" that is).  I make out my "to do list" (usually short) and my grocery list.

There are four local stores I visit for my shopping.  I walk a lot, at least a mile or two a day. While walking to the various stores, I try to walk down different streets.  I poke into little shops and boutiques and the side walk vendors looking for another piece of Mexican folk art that I think I cannot live without (usually one a week).   At least once a week I will take the bus to Costco or Walmart or Mega (the biggest store) and that takes up a good part of the day.

About twice a week I go to the beach (more on that in a later post).  In the afternoons, I will do my e-mail and work on my Blog posts.   Each evening I take my glass of wine up to the terrace to first watch the hummingbirds and later the baby iguanas.  Some days I will go out for "Happy Hour", but do not go out late.  I don't eat out more than once a week (I have got to find something else to cook besides chicken breasts)  My attempts at real cooking have not turned out well.  The kitchen is gorgeous, but very poorly equipt and I am not used to metric weights yet. 

Whether I have been out or stayed at home,  I end each evening up on the terrace with my last glass of wine.  The day passes quickly and then another week.  It is hard to believe that I have been here for two months already.