Too little time to blog when you’re actually in Mérida

I’ve been in Mérida almost a week and you’d think I’d have more to show for it on the blog, wouldn’t you?

Where have I been? Hard at work! We’re building a house, and perhaps a new company, and every minute counts during our two-week stay. Of course, we want to re-connect with all our new friends here, and that’s harder than I thought — even with friends who are partnering on a book project with me.

Tomorrow is the book expo at the Mérida English Library, and I have a table there to represent the fledgling book mega-conglomerate Hamaca Press. We’ve so far published two books and stamped our logo on 30 pens, so Hamaca Press is more of a pen distributor than a book publisher, but that will change. Lots of manuscripts are coming my way and some big announcements are coming up.

Paul and I have made yet another friend through this blog: I don’t know if she would want me to disclose her identity, so I won’t, but time flew by as we sipped Chilean wine I bought at the convenience store and munched on ceviche she bought at Marlin Azul. Incredible shrimp, and damn lucky such good wine could be bought at a quickie-mart for 100 pesos. I’m sticking to the Chilean bottles when I’m drinking vino tinto in Mexico. We got along like a house on fire, and I’m dying to know how her trip went. We were hoping to catch up one more time, but it just wasn’t to be. Our last conversation was a static-y cell phone call that kept breaking up, so I’ll say here: “Have a great trip back!” I hope we’ll be neighbors.

(It’s trickier to blog when other people are involved. Usually I write out my thoughts, not about activities shared with others. What are the rules about roping other people into your blog posts?)

When we arrived, everyone complained about the weather, and today they still are, but for different reasons. It’s been the hottest year on record in Yucatán. Sunday and Monday were sweltering, which is a pity since people here look forward to some relief from the summer heat and humidity. Then came something I’ve never experienced here. A sustained rain. It lasted all night and left us with weather in the 60s and low 70s, which here is a bit chilly. I’m seeing scarves and quilted winter coats on the streets. This is still better than what we’d get back home in Connecticut, but I would have packed more socks and long sleeves if I had known. Last night we slept under a wool blanket with the window shut tight.

There’s lots more to tell, but I’ll tell it later. It’s all I can do not to discuss the renovation, but we promised ourselves to do nothing to impair the creative process, and that includes putting Casa Nana under a public microscope. All will be revealed when the time comes.

Photo above: Calle 66 in Santa Ana this morning. Clouds battling the sun, and winning.

Inset photo: The door of the Mérida English Library yesterday.