A Tropical Afternoon Rain

This is a portion of the patio on a partly cloudy day.

We are outside in the pool, enjoying a bit of sunshing and occasional relief of some passing clouds. Out of the blue we hear the sky roar. Thunder. We have to search to find the approaching cumulonimbus cloud. Sometimes there are many, coming from several directions. A high percentage of these afternoon rainstorms begin with a whipping wind. Within seconds the patio will look like this: (The cats like the maze it creates.)

The wind swirls around in the patio and churns up the mats that cover the cement surface. If we have a little advance warning, we anchor them down with bricks or plants. But these storms often surprise us, leaving us mere seconds to cover the pool and gather our asundry items to make it inside without getting pounced by pitchforks of rain.

If multiple clouds join up, the rain seems to last forever. It might only be half an hour, but it comes down so heavy in sideways sheets it floods the entire patio. The mats float around and leaves the yard like this. Often the mess includes several downed leaves and branches. This is just one of many surprises that can cause a change of plans during a tropical afternoon.

Can Ya See Us Now?

Two guys came by the other day and saw my little cardboard sign nailed to the facade of the front of the house. They asked if we would like to have our sign painted on the building in the fashion typical of this area. For 300 pesos, or less than $30 US, they painted what you see in the photos. We now boast loudly and proudly (and colorfully, I might add) the services we offer here at Ko'ox Báab (Let's go swimming...in Mayan.)

Here the guys are painting the sign. Pretty good free hand work!

Pablo is teaching class in the back yard. I liked the action in this shot, with the mailman riding up onto the sidewalk on his motorcycle.

Solar Heating Becomes Reality

Sunday, November 2, 2008. Standing at the southern end of the patio, in front of the filter system, next to the pool, looking at the house. It is 8am. You see how the sun is shining on the roof above my bedroom there, but that the rest of the yard is shaded? That is the problem we have been having with exercising at 8am.

The air temperature was a bone chilling 61°F this morning (sorry, Northerners, it's all relative. Remember we tropical people have thin blood). The pool temperature had warmed up to nearly 80°F, but the solar heating installation was only completed on Saturday. It takes a few days to heat up the water temperature. We set that date back a bit when we emptied the pool on Saturday to paint the exterior border of the swimming pool white again. It was looking rather, well, disgusting. (See photo above taken yesterday pre-whitewash.) We did not fill the pool until Sunday, so we had not given it a chance to complete its heating process. This morning all the knobs were adjusted and the water coming in through the filter was warm. We were walking and running laps around the pool to stay warm, and every time I passed a jet a big smile and feeling of warmth overcame me. The water coming through was much warmer. This is very exciting. We were four exercisers this morning. We decided to do our warmup exercises out on the mat even if the pool was too cold to enter. This group has decided it is worth walking across the street, or around the corner, to take Pablo's great exercise classes. We all got into the pool and at the end of class we were so proud of ourselves, we were dancing to Wilson Pickett...warming up in the sun a little, frankly....as Wilson called for us to do the mashed potatoes, the jerk, the watusi, etc. Things are looking up on the exercise front, folks, we are back in business.

This is the filter system. It was already in place with just a few PVC pipes and knobs. Now it is what I would call a clusterf**k of tubería that only Pablo knows how to operate. The good news is that the filter we put in last year was "calefacción lista", or ready to easily install any heating system we should choose.

Close up of two of the panels, the tubing, the roof, the pool below. Just to give you an idea of the setup.

Here is a bigger picture of all five panels. Too bad a cloud passed over when I took the photo. It doesn't look too sunny. If I ever promote these panels, I will take that into consideration and take a brighter photo. I think the PVC pipe should be black. That is what everyone I spoke to told me. So we may paint it black. Otherwise, pretty cool, huh? It is the talk of the neighborhood. Someone managed to find solar power! We may just start importing and installing the buggers now, because next up is the electrical energy in the house. Now that the intimidation factor is past, it is time to think about cutting out the electrical company's bills.

Great Review in Mérida Insider

Hey, check this out! The pool exercisers Theresa and Mike, featured above with Maestro Pablo, wrote a nice review on the Merida Insider website. I thought I would share it with you along with a photo of Mikey and Theresa working out. We really do have fun! We all look forward to class every day. People are seeing results: muscle tone, more strength and energy, and in some cases even weight loss. What Pablo and I have noticed is that everyone seems a little cheerier. We like that.

The swim students are also improving vastly and soon we will be handing out certificates of completion to our first graduates. Then we are heading off on a little vacation. When we get back, we have to get serious about the solar power and paint the swimming pool for the fall classes. We have really been enjoying all the pool activity going on here at Ko'ox Báab. Gracias a todos!

Aquatic Exercise and Swimming
Ko’ox Ba’ab - Let’s Go Swimming!! If you have ever wanted to participate in aquatic exercises, or just have an occasional hour of free time in a nice pool, this is the place you need to be! Linda Dorton, a certified scuba instructor, and Pablo, a physical education instructor, offer a variety of programs to suit every budget and every individual need! If you are looking for a low impact exercise program you should check this out! It is slow paced, fun, designed to your individual needs, swimmers and non-swimmers, those who are afraid of the water and those that wish they were a fish, and is definitely affordable. There is a definitive bottom line here: if you do not want to have fun, go join a gym! We have been known to dance the “hokey-pokey” in the pool, play volley ball, catch, swim, float, and sometimes laugh so hard you have to literally catch your breath! It is fun, easy, healthy, affordable, relaxing, and just plain old good for you! I highly recommend you give Linda a call at 928-7549, cell 999-172-3330 or 999-201-7477, and check out the variety of programs she has to offer. This is probably one of the greatest things to come along in a long, long, time!
Added: June 29th 2008Reviewer: meridamikeyScore: Related Link: http:meridainsider.comHits: 64Language:

Aquatic Exercise and SwimmingPosted by Theresa on 2008-06-30 19:41:41My Score:
I have to agree with MeridaMikey, this is the first time that I have enjoyed exercising. I know some people who are taking swimming lessons and they are very happy with the instruction. Theresa

Let's Go Swimming - School of Acuatic Integration

Our swim school, Ko’ox Bàab – Escuela de Integraciòn Acuàtica earned its title on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Maestro Pablo had organized a recreational day of activities to integrate our students and their families at the expansive Kukulcan Sports Center. He taught the kids to swim, but he wanted them to experience an Olympic swimming pool.

We reserved the pool from noon until 3pm. The coordinators Pablo and Linda arrived early with three assistants, Daniela, Russell and Jarocho carrying all the floats, balls, foam noodles and prizes two vehicles could hold. On the grass beside the pool we set up stations for warmup exercises. Everyone received a hand painted “Ko’ox Bàab” ball as moms, dads, grandparents, aunties, uncles, little children AND our students lined up for a workout. Pablo played fun games, Chicle Bomba being the favorite, to loosen the folks up for the pool games. The group was divided into three teams, Chak Kay, Sak Kay, and Ya’ax Kay. Red fish, White fish and Green Fish, respectively, in Mayan.

Chak Kay began in the deep end making ‘chistoso’ (funny) dives or jumps into the pool and was judged for cleverness. Sak Kay started with crazy races on boards with balls for a long distance water-basketball game. Ya’ax Kay played a variation of volleyball we call ‘catchy-ball’ which everyone seemed to enjoy. Then we rotated the groups. Lots of smiles and many thanks were the biggest rewards for the day’s outing.

One of our students, Mario, has a two and a half year old brother, Saul. Saul always accompanies Mario and his Mom to class, but he said he did not want to learn to swim because he was afraid. A week ago Friday he decided he wanted to check out the pool. He sat on the step in the shallow end. On Sunday in the Olympic pool he decided it was his day to join the group. A great time was had by all.

Teacher of the Year

A list of students for five classes, a new writing tablet, and two automobile tires. It sounds like a writing exercise in a creative writing class. This is what Maestro Pablo was given to substitute teach physical education classes this past week in a private school. Having taught in schools that provide no equipment, often not even a soccer ball, this was just a small challenge for him. He had the kids make paper balls, and set up a makeshift basketball court, or maybe it was a soccer field. After their hour of throwing and kicking paper balls into the tires, races and contests, the students fell in love with Maestro Pablo. He came home beaming with pride. Not only did the maltreatment of the other teachers toward him not affect him, but he showed that initiative and imagination generate success and in this way he earned the students’ respect. By the end of the first day they hoped their regular teacher would not return. Alas, the Maestra did return, and Pablo is back on the massive list of instructors awaiting teaching assignments.
Meanwhile, Pablo is working wonders with the students in our swim school. He now has a 24 year old kid with serious physical deformities and watching Ivan’s first class brought tears to my eyes. What a patient, kind and conscientious soul is Pablo. He is fulfilled at the end of every day after working with these kids. The glowing smiles on the kids’ faces after overcoming a particular fear are priceless. The parents who watch their kids learn to swim radiate with pride. Maestro Pablo is making a lot of people happy.
It pleases me to see Pablo have the opportunity to use his excellent teaching skills. Breaking into the public school system here is a near impossibility. The teachers with tenancy never leave, no matter how old or outdated they become. They certify hundreds of teachers every year and there are only a few positions available. When the school year started, Pablo was driving 90 kilometers to the village of Oxcutzcab three days a week to teach preschool phys ed. The Department of Education did not process his paperwork and kept running him from office to office to try to get paid. Finally they paid him for his work from September through December just before Christmas. Four months work with no pay to show for it, and having to fight to receive it at all. He was instructed to return to class after the Christmas holidays. He taught in Oxcutzcab for the entire month of January. When payday arrived, he was told they did not renew his contract and he would not be paid for his time and he could simply stop going there to teach.
Pablo’s mission in life is to improve the educational system in México. The new teaching methods he learned are quite innovative, but the current government will not commit to making any changes in the old ways. He did not take his dismissal from the preschool lightly. He went to the newspaper. He wrote to all the necessary officials, including the governor. All he got was more run around and more frustrated. Just two weeks ago, four months after the fact, Pablo received a call from the Governor’s office and he was given a meeting with her. If her people actually follow up Pablo is going to receive payment for his work in the month of January by the middle of June. With any luck at all he will be offered a permanent teaching position in the fall.
My vote for teacher of the year obviously goes to Pablo Francisco Chavez Ceballos. He deserves a break today.

Ko'ox Báab

Ko'ox Báab Escuela de Integración Acuática

Who takes swimming or exercise classes in the Yucatán? First it is important to note that although Mérida itself is not on the water, the beach is a mere twenty minutes (or 13 pesos by bus) away. The average day time temperature from May through October is 100°F with about the same percentage of humidity. The Yucatecans love to spend time at the beach. They love to fish, drink, dance, eat fish, drink, and chat. They also love to visit the unique and mysterious cenotes (sink holes or fresh water pools) that dot the peninsula. Many of them have some kind of swimming pool, even if only a pool for dipping and cooling off slightly. (My feelings about having a swimming pool will come in another session.)

The point here is that most Yucatecans do not know how to swim. After we opened Ko’ox Báab (¡Vamos a Nadar!) (Let’s Go Swimming!) swim school, there seemed to be a deluge of incidents of fishermen drowning at sea. Like 17 in the first three months of 2008 between Progreso and Campeche. The bottom line was always the same, they did not know how to swim. Ok, not always the same….no radio…one who swims but had no lifejacket…one who swam to shore and left the nonswimmers holding on to a sinking boat….whatever. That is not the point. The point is that the grandparents did not learn to swim, they are now beyond that. (Ay! Dios Mio! El agua me da miedo!) The parents would like to swim but have had a fear installed in them that seems insurmountable at present. (Me gusta el agua pero me da mucho miedo!) They all want the young generation to swim. (Los chicos saben que calor hace y no conocen miedo!) The added bonus is that the kids can occupy themselves while they eat fish, drink, dance and chat at the beach. So we get a lot of kids learning to swim. The youngest have been three years old. The oldest “kid” is 27. All kids are proud to learn to swim, and the coordination and muscle development is amazing to watch.

Not surprising to me we have several adults who have taken our classes. Our first adults were the direct result of the fishermen’s accidents. One of my neighbors owns Pedal Loco, a motorcycle shop here in Mérida. He came with his kids for snorkel lessons. They own a boat in Telchac Puerto and go fishing almost every weekend. He wanted to have something he could do with his kids so they all wanted to learn to snorkel. I taught that class. They brought the first adult swim student, Jorge. He works at the motorcycle shop. He goes out fishing with them every weekend and does not know the first thing about floating or swimming. He came to a few classes, then they got busy and he just let it go. Ok, not the success story we are seeking, but he felt comfortable in the water after three of Pablo’s classes, he floated, tred water, and he could put his face in the water. He overcame major fears.

Now, a month or so later, we have a 27 year old adult with a bad shoulder whose wife is an avid scuba diver. He really wants to be able to swim. There is a 21 year old guy who had a bad experience (like someone pushing him into deep water…) and has a fear of water to overcome. He and his friends go to the beach all the time and he can not participate, but he is making great strides. A family from México City moved to the Yucatán but never learned to swim. The parents of some of the younger swim students are now asking if they too can take the swim class, they now feel they can overcome their fears.

So, okay, the school will not make us money rich. But the true definition of rich, my version and the Yucatecan version “¡Que rico!” have such broad inferences. A major reason I am here is that particular definition differential. Your food can be rico, the day, the weather, your luck, your life, seeing a young person conquer a fear. This school is a way to pay the bills and also feel good. Everyone wins in a small, somewhat private swim school, really. The instructor feels satisfied, the parents (and grandparents!) enjoy the time in the patio watching the kids learn and practice, and the students leave hungry, tired and very pleased with themselves. I am still somewhat shocked about how it all works here, right down to the required swim cap and goggles, but it is fun in the grand scheme of all things considered.