Half of the tourist will be gone in a few weeks and the rains don't start for months yet. In spite of vocal protests by all the merchants, they began near Plaza Cardenas. One might think that they would do it one block at a time. No, over half of the sidewalks are gone, and not just on one side. Using Mexican logic (an oxymoron) they tore up both sides at once, leaving pedestrians to attempt to navigate the cobble stone street covered with rubbble and all the cars, buses and trucks. Many business have had to close for a month, or try to lure customers with tables and chairs balanced on plywood planks covering huge holes. The "new" coffee shop where my old favorite used to be, spent a fortune on the remodel. The inside was covered in marble and granite and a huge wrap around wrought iron railing and awning was installed. All the wrought iron was torn down and the business closed. Don't fell too sorry as the rumor is that it was built with "laundry money".
If the above isn't absurd enough, they began the project just two days before Mardi Gras. The parade travels down Olas Altas and ends at Pulpitos. Half the town turns out to watch the parade which consists mainly of people in costumes (and in drag) in the back of pick up trucks, covered with balloons and crepe paper. . Anyone wanting to see the parade had to stand on the rubble or try to balance themselves on plywood planks All the City had to do was to wait unitl Monday, but "NO". The project must go on.
The reason for all the new sidewalks is obvious to anyone who has tried to navigate the old cracked, pot hole ridden sidewalks, with multiple level changes. But that was not the real reason. The City is trying to put all the electricity underground. A great idea if it worked. Now that almost half of Zona Romantica has new sidewalks with underground cables. You can see all the colorful hoses coming up out of the concrete. However, all the wires and poles (with attached cables) are still up. Why? you might ask. Well now that the City has spent tens of millions laying all the underground cables, it is up to the individual property owners to pay for the connection, and none of them will.
My bridge partner's wife is in charge of the installation of all the planters along the new sidewalk. The Garden Club planted them and luckily maintains them. I noticed that the trees planted along Badillo last year were growing up into the electric wires. I was afraid that the City would come by and chop them down. When the City tree trimmers arrive, they come with chain saws and often cut the trees down to a stump. She told me that when they planted the trees they were told that the wires would be gone by last June. She assured me that her team would carefully trim the trees as the wires may never be removed..
The other day I passed a group of men digging up a street. They were having some sort of augment with a man carrying a map. Much shouting and hand waving, so I asked an English speaking Mexican what was going on. It seems that the supervisor was telling the men digging up the street that they were in the wrong location. Never mind, they had their job to do and they were going to do it, even if it was the wrong location. AHHH Mexico.!
Just a block off Olas Altas they have been building the new pier (for TWO YEARS!) There is nothing to show for it but a few pilings sunk in the water (all at different heights). The other day I walked down to check on it and noticed a sign warning of electric shock from high voltage wires. Then I noticed the cables running into the ocean. I had no intention of climbing over the chain link fence to get to the construction site, but wondered about the safety of even going into the water.
I would love to send you photos of the new pier and the street with all the trees and planters in, and the wires all underground, but I don't think I will live long enough.
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Good reading your recent post. First saw the pictures and thought to myself, I don't remember any news of an earthquake there, but your explanation was eventful enough. You sound like you're doing OK despite the mess with the streets.
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