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Dogged in Mexico

One fun fact that we have learned in our short time in the Yucatan is that the Mayan word for “dog” is “pek” pronounced like our last name.  While we are currently cat-sitting, this information is somewhat relevant to our current stay, as I was bitten by one of the many street dogs in Chelem on my second morning out for a run here.  While I have flesh to spare, I wasn’t really looking to off-load it from my right calf.  I had run on the same road the prior day and had seen two locals running there as well.  Apparently, I smelled worse on Sunday.  Anyway, not to prolong the sad story too much, we are getting to know the local clinics (the staff of which have been very nice and from whom we learned the aforementioned fun fact), and I am getting to try out some antibiotics and rabies shots. During my initial visit to one of the clinics in Progreso, I was one of 4 dog bite cases that day, so there is a bit of an issue.    I find out Monday if they think I need to have stitches. I’ll keep you posted.

As you’ll see below, Bob and I are still getting out and about (otherwise the dog would win!), but it has made it a tad more stressful.  We generally make sure we have an umbrella or stick handy just in case.  

We chose to go to Progreso for the doctor visits so have been there a few times now.  We opted to walk back one day (about 6 miles), but generally we have taken a colectivo– white vans that run between Chelem and Progreso.  You can flag them down from the main road at the end of our driveway, and they will drop you off anywhere in Chelem or Progreso along their route.  It’s not luxurious (see below), but it is very convenient as they run pretty frequently for the better part of the day.  It costs 9 pesos (roughly 50 cents) a person each way.

Looking at the passenger row ahead of us as well as the driver’s row. The van holds between 10-15 people.

More photos of Progreso —

Bob in front of the Progreso sign at one end of their Boardwalk.
A statue along the boardwalk
Looking down the beach on the east side of the pier where many of the popular restaurants are
The Progreso beach on the west side of the pier
A couple of nice properties along the west side beach

Looking across the beach to the pier
 
The municipal building in front of the Plaza de Independencia in Progreso
Starting across the bridge on the day we walked back to Chelem
Later on the day (yesterday) when we walked back to Chelem, we walked to a local restaurant that was having an art show and wine event. Over our $3.50 flights of white wine, we got to talking with the co-owner of the restaurant  (a US native from South Dakota via Colorado).  She noted that had seen us walking into Chelem earlier that day.  

Photos of Chelem —

The Chelem beach/coastline as viewed from the patio of the La Playa bar/restaurant just up the street from us
A sign outside the Sliders bar (that we haven’t been to yet), the advertised price comes out to about $1/beer.
The cemetery in Chelem
Inside one of the local tortillerias, they were cranking them out as the electricity had been off throughout the area that day and had just come back on..
Corn tortillas hot off the grill. we bought a 1/2 kilo of them ( a stack of maybe 25 or so) for about 50 cents.
 

A couple of the local “habitat” —

We are in lizard country. They try to hide with their well-camouflaged skin but there movement gives them away.
While we like the smaller modes of transportation (bikes, bike carts, motors,etc), this takes some getting use to.

4 replies on “Dogged in Mexico”

So sorry to hear about your dog incident,hope your recovery is swift and without complications. 😢😢

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Sorry to hear about that. I would bring Bob next time because you don’t have to be faster than the dog, just have to be faster than Bob, which I’m guessing you are!

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