 |
| Memorable entrances. |
Mexico
is not the only country in the world with a confusing system of
addresses, but most of our nearby neighbours originated from Canada
or the USA. We are accustomed to a numbering system that has odd-numbered houses on one side of the street, and even-numbered houses on
the other side. The numbers typically radiate out from the centre of
the town or city, increasing in numerical value further from the
centre. We were required by law to affix our assigned number in a
visible location on the outside of the house to assist the emergency
services, such as police, fire and ambulance to and ensure that the
postal employees could find the address.
 |
| Our casa, Odd the Dog on right |
Some of us apparently live in the neighbourhood of Colonia Rancho Alegra, while the others don't. Lawrie's sister Linda and her husband Richard live one lot south of us, so their address is almost exactly the same as ours, except they are lote #1, the lot in between us is still vacant and would be lote #2.
Along this road, there are several lots numbered 1, 2 or 3 because every time the Monzana number changes – that's the M204 in our address – the lot numbers start over again. Many of our friends have attempted to number their houses with something recognizable, something that makes sense, and the result is quite interesting: #216 is south of #305, which is south of #20. In other words, if you were driving from the centre of town trying to find a specific number, you would see #20, then #305, then #216. It's a good way to keep everyone guessing!
Other
friends have chosen to name their houses in an attempt to be easily
located by postal workers, delivery personnel, or emergency services.
Some of the best names we have seen are slightly humorous ones, such
as Sandra
and Carl's Casa
Spanglish,
Brook and Paul's Cas-A-Beer,
John and Betty's Casa
Piolin
(Tweety Bird) or Chuck and Marcy's Casa
Gallo (Rooster is Chuck's nickname).
Linda
and Richard Grierson call their house Casa
Luna Turquesa
(House of the Turquoise Moon). They have an easily recognizable
turquoise crescent-shaped moon attached to the upper edge of the
house. Harriet and Richard Lowe, on the other hand, chose Casa
Flamboyan. The
name aptly describes their beautiful multi-coloured home. Several local folks just put a plaque with their family name on the house,
and that works too. When we named our house Casa
K'aay Hà,
we thought we were calling it the Mayan equivalent of Singing
Water,
as it turns out the name can mean either Song Water or Fish of the
Sea!
Well, with all of these choices for addresses no wonder the postal delivery folks have a challenge making deliveries. We have been lucky, always getting great service from the post office.
Here are three hints that
might help you get good service as well:
- name your house, or put a number on it – anything to distinguish it from the others on your street
- visit the post office with a photograph of your house and get to know the employees
- stop by on November 12th, National Postal Workers Appreciation Day, with goodies, beverages, and a cash tip. (They are only open until noon on this day.)
We
also offer a bottle of cold water or a soda to any of the delivery
people hired to drop off bank statements, utility bills, or parcels.
A little kindness goes a long way towards getting great service.
As
for how to find us, that's easy! We either say we are on Aeropuerto Road across from the high school basketball court, or we say we are next
door to Casa
Luna Turquesa. Richard
and Linda have been here on Isla longer than we have, and most people
know where they live. It's simple!
Hasta
luego, Lawrie, Lynda, Sparky, and Thomas the Cat
An error correction: Along this road, there are several lots numbered 1, 2 or 3 because every time the Manzana number changes – that's the M204 in our address – the lot numbers start over again. That should read Monzana - we have lived in this house for going on seven years, and all of our paperwork says Manzana (apple), but I just discovered the word is Monzana (block).
Murder. Mayhem. Revenge. Romance.
%20Instagram%20%231.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment