I am not sure to congratulate or castigate myself, but here we are, living in a lovely large two room suite, complete with two bathrooms, a sitting and dining room and two closets, so I guess it was worth all my troubles. We knew, when we bought into this place the rooms were not large, but we really expected to make use of this operation in The Dominican Republic so we didn't really care. We checked into our room yesterday morning and discovered how small the room really was, especially coming from our condo which is large. We settled in, put all our belongings in the drawers, then realized there were few electrical outlets so called for help. The staff was wonderful and immediately solved our problems.
This morning Ken and I had a meeting with the sales staff to update the Palace system. The Manager stopped by to ask if we were happy with our accommodation. That was his mistake. I did tell him that the staff was wonderful as was the food but that our room was almost unlivable and outdated. I gave details and made suggestions. He apologized and asked to be excused for a moment. When he returned, he offered us this new suite. We accepted, even though we had to re-pack and settle into a new home. The bell man came and carried all our bags yet again. Now we are happy. Now remember we are staying here for free. When we bought into the program two years ago, we were given many free weeks so that is what we are using. What a nerve for me to complain about free room and board, but I did and I am so pleased I did. I'm getting smart now that I am getting old.
The moral of the story is that it pays to speak up, especially when you are pleasant!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
February 5, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Bags.
We looked ridiculous, carrying our bags from Playa Royale, where we have been living, to the adjacent resort, Vallarta Palace. When I say bags, I mean grocery bags, not proper traveling bags. Our condo was booked for these two weeks, so we had arranged to stay at The Vallarta Palace, an all inclusive resort we signed up for several years ago. We bought into this place so the daughters-in-law could come for a vacation and have no requirement for preparing food but until now we have never made use of it, until now.
We travel with no clothes except what we are wearing along with our backpack, thus no suit cases, so when we knew we needed to move next door, we decided to just pack up our clothes in grocery bags and merely walk over from one place to the next, which is exactly what we did. It was effective but we did look odd. Ten bags in all along with our backpacks appeared at our new fancy hotel, and were left with the bell man at the front door while we checked in. It took us two trips to bring all the bags over, then they all stayed out front for another half hour while we organized our appointments for the spa. They looked totally foolish, sitting out front along with the other fancy cases. But our system was effective!!
The most interesting part was that the staff did not say a word or even raise their eyebrows when we both appeared looking like bag people. They were pleasant and helpful. But I tell the story to their families at dinner!!
We travel with no clothes except what we are wearing along with our backpack, thus no suit cases, so when we knew we needed to move next door, we decided to just pack up our clothes in grocery bags and merely walk over from one place to the next, which is exactly what we did. It was effective but we did look odd. Ten bags in all along with our backpacks appeared at our new fancy hotel, and were left with the bell man at the front door while we checked in. It took us two trips to bring all the bags over, then they all stayed out front for another half hour while we organized our appointments for the spa. They looked totally foolish, sitting out front along with the other fancy cases. But our system was effective!!
The most interesting part was that the staff did not say a word or even raise their eyebrows when we both appeared looking like bag people. They were pleasant and helpful. But I tell the story to their families at dinner!!
Friday, February 4, 2011
February 4, 2011. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Snow Day.
The sky must be falling. San Antonio schools were closed for a snow day. The Texas girls were thrilled and made a Texas sized snow man. In Dallas, where the Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, the temperature this morning was lower than in Anchorage, Alaska. Make no mistake. It is cold in Texas. We froze a pipe at the lake. Of course, it was an outside pipe and the pipe was above ground but it has not frozen in the sixteen years we have owned it but now it has frozen. It's cold in Texas.
Jackson, Mississippi has a second day of lack of schools too. Ice on the ground makes it impossible to get around in any town but especially when there is no supply of sand and ice. Even though the Mississippi children are home schooled, they keep to the public school schedule so they also were thrilled to have a snow day and they spend their time playing Wii. The snow that fell in Jackson was mixed with rain and sleet and froze immediately when hitting the ground so outdoor play was impossible, much to the girls chagrin.
It is true. The sky is falling, all over the US.
Jackson, Mississippi has a second day of lack of schools too. Ice on the ground makes it impossible to get around in any town but especially when there is no supply of sand and ice. Even though the Mississippi children are home schooled, they keep to the public school schedule so they also were thrilled to have a snow day and they spend their time playing Wii. The snow that fell in Jackson was mixed with rain and sleet and froze immediately when hitting the ground so outdoor play was impossible, much to the girls chagrin.
It is true. The sky is falling, all over the US.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February 3, 2011. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Reality TV.
When we were in Texas for two weeks over Christmas I watched TV with David. He knows I enjoy Antiques Roadshow so he tapes the shows and watches it later, usually with me. He has that new system that works beautifully. Usually some or all of the girls join us. They like it too. While watching, we discussed the question of reality television and the fact that reality television was seen everywhere. It seemed to go from 'never seen' to 'see it everywhere', just over night. Of course, it came gradually, I just had not noticed. He also taped a newer show 'Pickers' and we watched some of it too. Both David and I agreed that reality television was everywhere on the tube.
Ken and I were driving south and checked into a motel. We ordered Pizza sent to our room and turned on the television. The History Channel was our last resort so we waited until the commercials were over and found to our surprise "The Pawn Stars"were on. We kept the channel on, one show after the next. First, we were surprised that the History channel was showing the program, then wondered why they were showing the full years program on one evening, then we just relaxed and enjoyed the program. It was fun. We told David. He recorded it. We watched when we were in Texas.
We arrived in Mexico a bit sick, so one day I ate breakfast and lunch in bed, watching TV. and found yet another reality television show I enjoyed. "The Dog Whisperer" is on the National Geographic channel and they were showing episodes one after another, all day until three o'clock when I finally quit. I can't understand why that channel is showing that program, but they are. I enjoyed watching the shows and have seen one or two of them since, but only one at a time. I must tell David.
I am sure the reality television craze will end sooner or later, but for now, you spot them everywhere. I have enjoyed them.
Ken and I were driving south and checked into a motel. We ordered Pizza sent to our room and turned on the television. The History Channel was our last resort so we waited until the commercials were over and found to our surprise "The Pawn Stars"were on. We kept the channel on, one show after the next. First, we were surprised that the History channel was showing the program, then wondered why they were showing the full years program on one evening, then we just relaxed and enjoyed the program. It was fun. We told David. He recorded it. We watched when we were in Texas.
We arrived in Mexico a bit sick, so one day I ate breakfast and lunch in bed, watching TV. and found yet another reality television show I enjoyed. "The Dog Whisperer" is on the National Geographic channel and they were showing episodes one after another, all day until three o'clock when I finally quit. I can't understand why that channel is showing that program, but they are. I enjoyed watching the shows and have seen one or two of them since, but only one at a time. I must tell David.
I am sure the reality television craze will end sooner or later, but for now, you spot them everywhere. I have enjoyed them.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Jerome K. Jerome.
It must have been free on my Kindle. I have the complete works of Jerome K. Jerome. Ken spotted it on his Kindle and asked me if I was aware of the author. I wasn't but he was on my Kindle so I must have put it there. I vaguely recall a review of a resurgence of interest in this obscure English author so, as it was free, I now have it in my e book.
I started into the first book, and read all day. I have read 3% of his complete works! The protagonist in this book, (the name escapes me), is a woman, which for a man gives himself a difficult task. It is ridiculous the things he says this lady speak, but of course, I was not there in the late nineteenth century so perhaps that was how they spoke.
I subsequently looked up information about Jerome K. Jerome. His best book was 'Three Men on a Boat', the only book that was successful. It has been made into a movie no less than three times. He was poor as a child, was a journalist, wrote his whole life and had one child, Elsie, who died before him. He died in 1926. He wrote a memoir which I will read. But I bet I will not read the complete works of Jerome K. Jerome.
I started into the first book, and read all day. I have read 3% of his complete works! The protagonist in this book, (the name escapes me), is a woman, which for a man gives himself a difficult task. It is ridiculous the things he says this lady speak, but of course, I was not there in the late nineteenth century so perhaps that was how they spoke.
I subsequently looked up information about Jerome K. Jerome. His best book was 'Three Men on a Boat', the only book that was successful. It has been made into a movie no less than three times. He was poor as a child, was a journalist, wrote his whole life and had one child, Elsie, who died before him. He died in 1926. He wrote a memoir which I will read. But I bet I will not read the complete works of Jerome K. Jerome.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. My e mail.
Here it is again Frdickie@me.com. frdickie@me.com. frdickie@me.com. It is the best thing since sliced bread.
My apartment is for sale and for the past two days we have been negotiating the two offers. With my own e mail it has been easy or at least possible. Trying to see over the shoulders to look on Ken's e mail would be painful. I read the e mail, then I just tell Ken what is in the computer and then we respond. As we all know, the real estate world is not easy right now. Buyers are feeling entitled and even when they put their best foot forward, they really wish they hadn't done it. But I know that all things work out in the long run so I am not worried. We are not sold yet. These things take time as you know!!
So now, if you wish to contact me, frdickie@me.com is the way to go.
My apartment is for sale and for the past two days we have been negotiating the two offers. With my own e mail it has been easy or at least possible. Trying to see over the shoulders to look on Ken's e mail would be painful. I read the e mail, then I just tell Ken what is in the computer and then we respond. As we all know, the real estate world is not easy right now. Buyers are feeling entitled and even when they put their best foot forward, they really wish they hadn't done it. But I know that all things work out in the long run so I am not worried. We are not sold yet. These things take time as you know!!
So now, if you wish to contact me, frdickie@me.com is the way to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)