Monday, March 26, 2012

MORE PONDERISMS



Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

 
Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke?




Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters? 
 


Why do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage? 
 


Why do we buy hamburgers in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight?

 


Ever wodner why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?


Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?



Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word? 

 

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
 

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavouring, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?




Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

 
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?


Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

 
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?


Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?


You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!



Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?




Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?



If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?




DON'T STAY UP NIGHTS WORRYING ABOUT ANY OF THIS STUFF!





















Friday, March 9, 2012

FINALLY! STREET LEGAL!



The new 288 pages of “Road Rules” for the Yucatan contain lots of new information for anyone driving in the Yucatan. You really need to get a copy of the book and the law says you have to have it in your car when driving!

In addition to the new book of road rules, you must have the following items in your vehicle while you are operating it:

1.  A first aid kit

2.  Emergency triangles or “road cones”
 3.  A fire extinguisher

4.  Flashlight (There are specific requirements for what type of flashlight, but I honestly haven’t quite figured this one out as of yet.)
Of course, you must have insurance and supposedly a sticker on your windshield showing that you do, in fact, have insurance. The problem with this is that few, if any, insurance companies are offering this sticker right now! So, the nice police officials at the license renewal office advise that you must have your insurance policy with you.

Your vehicle must also pass an emissions test to make sure you’re not polluting the atmosphere! I somehow think that eventually this part of the new law will eliminate thousands of vehicles from the roads and highways in the Yucatan.

I finally found out where to get this test done. When I renewed my plates back in January, they hadn’t quite set up the inspection stations yet. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one place in the city of Merida that offers this test, and that is the Government building located behind the old city jail. (How appropriate is that!)

When I finally found the place, I was pleased to be the next person in line. Actually, there was no line per se, just two vehicles ahead of me in the process of being tested. The whole process took about 20 minutes and cost 89 pesos. At this particular location, there are only two stations where testing occurs. If ever the lines get long, I can see this easily turning into an all-day affair.

After you pass the test, you pay and they give you a sticker to put on your windshield. I asked where the appropriate location of the sticker should be, and was offered any place, on any window. I opted for the windshield, right lower corner. I’m not sure if this is correct or not, but at least I have the sticker.
So, if stopped at one of the check points around the city, I will be in compliance with the new laws and be street legal. It’s a good feeling.





  

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

BACK HOME AGAIN IN MERIDA

I haven’t posted anything for a while because I’ve been out of the country. Having transferred from the VA hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, to the VA Hospital in Houston, Texas, it was necessary for me to get registered there and that had to be done in person. I actually stayed in the hospital’s Courtesy Quarters for three days. They have a section of regular hospital rooms that have been converted into guest, or courtesy quarters for use by veterans that have travelled long distances and have scheduled appointments. Not a bad set up and a great deal – free lodging.



All that hospital business didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but I did manage to see a doctor and get my prescription medications refilled. I also have additional appointments to be scheduled at a later date, so that will mean another trip to Houston sometime in the future.


When I was finished up at the Hospital, I travelled to my old stomping grounds in St. Petersburg, Florida. I visited with friends and got to take care of some business matters. It was the first trip I made there since selling my condo and my little red truck! I had several offers to stay with friends, but I’m the type that doesn’t “stay very well”. I guess I’m too independent. I am accustomed to my absolute freedom of coming and going as I please and when I please. I hate to be an imposition on anyone and never will be.


I rented a car at the Tampa Airport and got a nice hotel room centrally located to where I needed to be. My visits went well and all my business and a bit of shopping were accomplished in the allotted time frame of my trip. It was so good to see old friends again. I enjoyed some of my favorite restaurants in the area, and generally had a good time.


Things are definitely different “NOB”. Life is faster, lines are longer, and people could use some general refresher training in manners. Everything seemed so foreign to me. I am really acclimated to life in Merida and I find myself missing it after only a few short days away.


It is good to be home again.