Torres Del Carmen Condominiums
By Editor | October 24, 2007
The Torres Del Carmen Condos in Playa del Carmen are located on Calle 14 and Ave 40. The location isn’t as bad and might appear by the Ave 40 address. It’s two short blocks to 30th and just across 30th is the Super Francisco and the Mega. The Super Walmart is three blocks south on 30th avenue so overall this is a convenient location to some of the most popular stores in Playa. Constituyentes is two blocks north that has many small shops and tiendas including a pharmacy, hardware store, music store, a frame shop, several beauty shops, restaurants, cell phone stores, doctors and dental offices within a few blocks either direction. The Santander Bank is just up the street at 14th and 30 Avenue.
Fifth Avenue and the beach will be 15 or 20 minute walk down Constituyentes or 14th. It would be easy to live at Torres del Carmen without a vehicle assuming your were not commuting to work some distance. Taxis are plentiful at Mega and up and down Constituyentes as well as 30th Avenue. You’ll also find the local buses and collectivos on 30th.
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Where is the Electric Company or CFE Office?
By Editor | October 24, 2007
You can pay your CFE electric bill in many places including most banks or any OXXO convenience store. You can also pay at the CFE offices. They have a walkup and drive thru 24 hour self service tellers. It is my understanding that these teller machines are cash only. I usually pay my electric bill at my bank who charges me a small service fee for the convenience.
If you’re going to start new service you will need to go to the CFE office. The CFE office is located in an area that is primarily residential. It is located two blocks west of 30th and one block north of Consituyentes. From Mega, cross 30th on Constituyentes going west then walk two blocks to 40th and then one block north.
This OXXO Store is located on 10th Avenue just north of 12th Avenue on the west side of the street. You’ll see these stores in many locations in Playa del Carmen. You can also pay your Cablemas bill at OXXO, but be sure you pay a couple days before the final due date.
Topics: Phone & Utilities | 1 Comment »
Dengue Fever
By Editor | October 4, 2007
Dengue Fever (pronounced DENG-gay) is a viral fever transmitted by aedes mosquitoes (the spotted kind) which live in tropical areas of the world. We have not had it, but friends of ours have, and they will tell you it’s no fun. The aedes mosquito prefers to feed during the day, so staying in at night does not help. Playa del Carmen sprays to keep the mosquito population down, but that will not erradicate all of them.
Not every person who is bitten by a mesquito carrying this disease gets sick. It seems to have something to do with how strong one’s immune system is. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons. One can only contract the virus from a mosquito bite.
The symptoms, which can range from mild to serious, include a sudden onset of fever with headache and joint pains that may be so severe that another name for Dengue is break-bone fever. There may also be gastritis with some combination of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. You may think you have a really bad case of flu. It usually lasts about six to seven days. Near the end of that time, the fever will come up again and a rash will often break out, first on the lower limbs and chest and in some patients, it can spread to cover most of the body. There is also a hemorrhagic version, where the virus causes bleeding. Thankfully, our friends did not have this kind.
There is no cure for this disease and one should treat it much like the flu with increased fluid intake and bed rest. It is very important to avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines like Advil. These products are often used to treat pain, however in this case, they may actually aggravate the bleeding tendency. If Dengue is suspected, one should take acetaminophen to help lessen the symptoms. Full recovery can take several weeks.
There is no vaccination to prevent this virus, but you can lessen the chances of getting it by using insect repellent containing either NNDB or DEET. If you suspect you have Dengue fever, consult with a physician as soon as possible because there can be some serious side effects with this disease. The hemorrhagic version may require blood transfusions and can be fatal. If you have already had Dengue, you are not immune from getting it again. In fact, one of our friends had it twice in one month.
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Spanish Food Terms
By Editor | September 27, 2007
If you only know a little Spanish, like me, it’s very nice to have a list of food terms when you go to a grocery store or restaurant. Some of the restaurants have menus written in English, but many do not. I remember the day soon after we moved here that my hubby and I stood at the deli in the Mega store trying to figure out which of the meats was turkey. I wish I would have had this list then. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Carnes - Meats
Cabra: Goat
Carne de Res: Beef
Carnero: Lamb
Hígado: Liver
Jamón: Ham
Lengua: Tongue
Pavo: Turkey
Pato: Duck
Pollo: Chicken
Puerco: Pork
Salchicha: Sausage
Ternera: Veal
Tocino: Bacon (sometimes salted pork)
Pescado Y Mariscos - Fish and Shellfish
Abulón: Abalone
Atún: Tuna
Cabrilla: Sea Bass
Calamar Squid
Callos: Scallops
Camarones: Shrimp
Almejas: Clams
Cangrejo or Jaiba: Crab
Jurel: Yellowtail
Pargo: Snapper
Huachinango: Red Snapper
Langosta: Lobster
Ostiones: Oysters
Pez Espada: Swordfish
Tiburón: Shark
Lenguado: Flounder or Sole
Legumbres - Vegetables
Aceitunas: Olives
Apio: Celery
Arroz: Rice
Betabeles: Beets
Calabazas: Pumpkins or Squash
Camotes: Sweet Potatoes
Cebolla: Onion
Cebollita: Green Onion
Chícharos: Peas
Champioñes: Mushrooms
Ejotes: String Beans
Elote: Corn on the Cob
Ensalada: Salad
Frijoles: Beans (cooked)
Lechuga: Lettuce
Maiz: Corn off the Cob
Nopales: young Prickly Pear Cactus leaves
Pepino: Cucumber
Papas: Potatoes
Rábano: Radish
Repollo: Cabbage
Tomate: Tomato
Zanahoria: Carrot
Frutas Y Nueces - Fruits & Nuts
Aguacate: Avocado
Cacahuates: Peanuts
Coco: Coconut
Duraznos: Peaches
Fresas: Strawberries
Guayaba: Guava
Higo: Fig
Limón: Lime or Lemon
Manzana: Apple
Melón: Melon
Naranja: Orange
Nuez de Castilla: Walnuts
Pacanas: Pecans
Piña: Pineapple
Plátano: Banana
Sandía: Watermelon
Toronja: Grapefruit
Uvas: Grapes
Bebidas - Drinks
Agua: Water
Aguardiente: Brandy
Cafe: Coffee
Cerveza: Beer
Crema: Cream
Ginebra:: Gin
Jugo de Naranja: Orange Juice
Leche: Milk
Refrescos: Soft Drinks
Ron: Rum
Té Caliente: Hot Tea
Té Helado: Iced Tea
Vino Blanco: White Wine
Vino de Champaña: Champagne
Vino Rosado: Rose Wine
Vino Tinto: Red Wine
Especias Y Condimentos - Spices & Condiments
Ajo: Garlic
Azucar: Sugar
Canela: Cinnamon
Cilantro: Fresh, Green Coriander
Mantequilla: Butter
Mayonesa: Mayonaise
Miél: Honey
Mostaza: Mustard
Parejíl: Parsley
Pimienta: Pepper
Sal: Salt
Vainilla: Vanilla
Postres y Dulces - Desserts & Sweets
Bolillos: French-style Rolls
Flan: Custard
Galletas: Cookies
Helado: Ice Cream
Paleta: Flavored Ice on a Stick
Pan Dulce: Sweet Bread
Pastel: Cake
Pay: Pie
Other Foods
Avena: Oatmeal
Caldo: Broth
Fideos: Noodles
Huevos: Eggs
Pan: Bread
Queso: Cheese
Sopa: Soup
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Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza
By Editor | September 27, 2007
Did you know Mexico celebrates Columbus Day? We were surprised to find out that they do. On October 8th of this year (2007) Columbus Day will be celebrated in America as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. However, in Mexico this day is celebrated on October 12th and is known as Día de la Raza, the Day of the Race. Let me give you a little background.
You may remember from school that Christopher Columbus, an Italian seafarer of the 15th century, believed he had found a better trade route to India. Although it took him eight years, he finally convinced the Spanish Queen Isabella to finance his journey, and he left Spain with 3 small ships, La Niña, La Pinta, and La Santa María. After a long and difficult trip, all three ships landed on an island in the Bahamas on October 12th, 1492. Chris thought he had reached India (which is why native Americans were called “Indians” for many years).
Many people believe that the Americas were actually discovered some time before Chris ever landed. However, he claimed the new land in the name of the Spanish monarchy and was the first to establish continual contact and eventual trade between the Americas and Europe.
About 30 years later, Hernán Cortés conquered Mexico which then became a colony of Spain for the next 300 years. The indigenous people intermarried with the Spanish and eventually a new race was born. This is what Mexicans celebrate on October 12th: the historical origins of the Mexican race. In 1928 the Día de la Raza was declared an official national holiday by the Mexican Congress.
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Checklist for Leasing a Condo or Apartment in Playa
By Editor | September 15, 2007
I organized some thoughts into a checklist with regard to renting an apartment or condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This is a for-what-it’s-worth list that may help stimulate thought. The right answers to these questions are subjective to your requirements.
Note: If you’re looking for a place with friendly, fair and professional property management who speak English, we highly recommend Vimex Condos . We were lucky to find a long term rental through Vimex.
- Location, location, location. How close will you be to where you want to be? Most of us would love to live beachfront, but find that cost prohibitive.
- If you don’t have an ocean view, is it worth the extra money to live a block or two block from the beach instead of five or six.
- How much construction is around your location? Are you going to listen to construction noise from 7am to 7pm everyday.
- How are the roads? Will the roads turn to mud and puddles during the rainy season? Will dust be a problem when the roads are dry?
- Will you need a car to get around town? How far is it to shopping, restaurants, bars, and the beach.
- How is the maintenance of the common areas? Sometimes an individual apartment is well maintained and furnished, but the common areas are not well maintained.
- Is there a pool? If so, is the pool clean? Is there pool furniture, and if so, is it clean and in good condition.
- Where will you dump your trash and is the trash area reasonably maintained?
- Who is responsible for the propane gas, electricity, and water bills?
- Who pays for maintenance and security?
- Is Telmex phone service available? Confirm with an active dial tone or check directly with Tel-Mex.
- Is Telmex DSL Internet available? Again confirm - don’t assume anything with regard to cable, Internet, or telephone.
- Is Cablemas available?
- Is Cablemas Internet available? Cable TV maybe available and Internet NOT be available.
- If you must use Playa Wireless Internet, who pays for the special wireless equipment?
- Is satelite television available? Who provides service - Sky?
- Who will you call if there is a problem with the apartment? Does the contact speak your language and keep office hours? Is there a 24 hour contact.
- Who pays to ‘board up’ for hurricanes. Who makes it happen?
- If the apartment is furnished, is it adequate for your needs?
- Are there adequate kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets? Storage can be skimpy in some units.
- Can you paint the interior if you desire?
- If furnished, is the mattress and box spring satisfactory?
- Is there hot water?
- Is the refrigerator large enough?
- Do you have a washer and dryer? (Not that common.) If not, how far to the nearest lavanderia?
- Do the drains flow properly and do the toilets flush properly? Check them.
- How’s the water pressure in the showers?
- What is the source of the water? Is it municipal water or water from a cistern? If the water is from a cistern, how often is it filled.
- Are there enough electrical outlets where you need them? Is there an outlet in the bathrooms. Can you work around any shortage?
- Do the lights and outlets all work?
- Is the contract notorized or not? Notorized contracts can cost you an extra $200 to initiate and are more easily enforced in the courts. Many landlords provide a more friendly rental agreement.
- Is there a provision in your lease agreement to terminate the lease early if it becomes necessary. Generally this provision will require an appropriate notice and sacrifice of your deposit.
- Is the deposit more than one months rent?
- Will the lease term get you through the high season or will you be left negotiating a new lease when rental properties are most in demand?
- Is the property managed by a reputable management company who speaks your language?
- Is there security? For first floor units, are there burglar bars on the windows?
- Is there a dead bolt on the front door?
- Is there a full time maintenance person?
- How convenient is it to get your house water? The five gallon bottles weigh about 30 pounds…is there someone to haul these for you or will you have to do it yourself.
- Is there an elevator? Very convenient if you’re on an upper floor with a load of groceries from Sam’s Club.
- Is there hand rails on the stairs? If hand rails are important to you be observant. Many places do not have hand rails.
- Is there adequate covered or uncovered parking for your car, scooter, and/or bikes?
- Is there a speed bump - topes - outside your window? Speed bumps create lots of traffic noise when cars and particularly trucks accelerate after crossing.
- Is your balcony or patio face the street or face a garden area?
- How private are your window exposures?
- Are your pets allowed? What about barking dogs? Quiet today doesn’t mean it will be quiet tomorrow, but you might want to check to see if there are dogs visible from your door or balcony. If so, they’ll most likely bark at some point. Does it bother you?
- Is the neighborhood suitable for you?
- Are there clubs, restaurants, bars, or tourist traffic that might create more noise than you’re prepared to deal with?
- If the condo is in Playacar, will you have satisfactory beach access?
Topics: Housing | No Comments »
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