Things we learned on this last trip...

We just got back from our most recent trip to Akumal, where we finally closed on our new condo. We spent 9 days down there getting the condo together as best we could in the time allocated. We managed to get a TV, two king sized mattresses, washer/dryer (they don't hook it up for you, if you were wondering) by Telebodega. We also ordered many items from an amazing store called Liverpool but we had to delay that delivery until we return. We managed to find a couch, rug, dining table, bedding and a dresser. It's finally coming together!

I'd love to share a few things we learned and experienced on this last trip as they were interesting and at times, odd.

• The water there makes everything have a residue and you have to run and flush your water often or it startes to smell... It's hard water that has a softener in it where we live...
• Ants like to come inside when it rains and I don't mean one, I mean like tons!! Also I hear scorpions come up the drain but sounds like we don't have to worry since we live on the top floor... Still, I had no idea! Oh and the bats, they poop on everything there... Our white walls and deck will eventually get stained by the poop so you have to clean it often. BAT POOP!!!
• Gas stations in Mexico are expensive (gas is like $3.49 a gallon) and they typically won't allow cards even though they have card machines. They pump the gas for you and there are over 10 different scams they try to pull. The best way to make sure you don't get taken advantage of is to get out and watch them pump the gas the whole time... Make sure you show them your money and state exactly what it is you are handing them while showing it to them so they don't try and switch your 100 pesos for a 10... Make sure they zero out the meter so you actually get your 200 pesos of gas and not 100 because the guy before you also got a 100 and they left it at 100... We found it best to just how much pesos you want to spend on gas vs. telling them to fill it up. 
• Getting pulled over by the police is a scary experience in regards to they don't know English and they want to take your license and possibly even your plates. Then they expect you to go to their station to pay the fine to get them back. I had read to pretend you understand NO Spanish and to try and confuse them as much as you can. I guess the paperwork is time consuming for them so many times they will give up and send you on your way. This is what we did and we were told to go on our way... no fine, no bribery, no nothing... The poor guy looking relieved when we left. However, if you do get pulled over, have your license already pulled out, don't let them see your cash. I have been told they won't ask for it. One friend said they have 200 pesos in their wallet (that's like $10), just in case... But make sure the rest is not in sight. I didn't experience this so I can't speak on it first hand... just the confusion part. that worked for us this time but who knows about next time.
• Confusion can happen easily if you don't speak Spanish. So when it comes to numbers, write them down and make sure both parties agree that it's what was meant. 200 pesos and 1200 pesos are very different, had we just written it down we wouldn't have gotten stuck owing our delivery driver more money than what we had on us... Fun times.
• The grocery store was fun to just walk around and look at their products. there are many products we sell here but many are a lot more expensive as they are imported. Walmart is not a place I would suggest as the products there were cheaply made but not necessarlity cheap - there are more stores available to you with better products. 

That's it for now, or at least all I can think of at the moment. This trip was a huge learning experience and I equate it as a child having to re-learn how to live life. Our priority #1 is to learn Spanish now as our elementary school Spanish just wasn't cutting it as much as we would have liked.

Adios for now!