There's only 5 days left until I leave! I can't believe I'll be on Akumal Beach at this time next week. I finally pulled my MEC pack out of my closet. I also found my lucky passport pouch (it's been with me on every overseas vacation I've taken in the past 10 years... oh, and that would be Cuba, by the way!) I've decided to transport the fins in my pack... fortunately, they fit. Buffalo Niagara Intl airport rules stipulate that you're allowed one carry-on and one 'briefcase'. I don't think they make briefcases for fins, so I'm not taking any chances by just showing up with them in my arms. My snorkeling equipment is probably the most important thing I'm bringing. I also have 500 book pockets and borrower cards ready, if CEA would like a circulation system for their collection. If they want the materials inventoried, I can use an Office program like Excel or Access. I was investigating an Open Source ILS system (made in New Zealand) called Koha, but this might be beyond what they need or want. All the same, it's good to know that there are programs out there (and that their basic versions are free!) I may not use it for CEA's collection, but it certainly might come in handy in the future. I think if I was more informed as to what they wanted (or didn't want) for the library, I could come with a more detailed plan in tow. Classes and exams have finished for the term at the university and I am basking in the peace and quiet we've had this week. I'm very glad I chose these 2 months to go there (and glad that the library agreed to this leave of absence!) Unfortunately, I will miss an important planning meeting in Toronto for the 2009 OLA Superconference, but I should be back in time for the next one (which I think will be in July or August).I have Scooper's favourite toy ready for her to take with her. It's a stuffed, round, furry ball, peach coloured, with its rolly eyes still intact (I bought it for her at the Peach Festival in Grimsby in the early 90's). She doesn't actually play with anything much anymore, but she definitely has her playful moments. I'll miss her. I'll keep a few photos of her on my new camera.Tam
Baby Loggerhead turtle
It's hard for me to believe that I'm leaving for Mexico in less than a month (27 days)! My flight is booked: I'm flying out of Buffalo with US Airways on Tuesday, May 6, arriving in Cancun at about 3:30pm. We make one stop-over, in Charlotte, NC (on the way back, flying with United Airlines, we stop once in Washington before heading on to Buffalo). My friend Patricia, a geologist who has been to the Akumal area several times to do water and cave research, is not actually leaving at the same time as I am, but there is always a chance she might come down later in May. I will have to rely even more on my minimal grasp of Spanish. I understand many key words and phrases but only if someone speaks to me slowly or I see it in writing. After nearly a dozen trips to Cuba, and an Intro university course, you'd think I would have picked up more, but I get lazy and don't make the effort. I'll take my mp3 player with me and listen to the Berlitz lessons I downloaded on it...There has been no further email convo between me and Paul Sanchez-Navarro, the director of CEA (since last December), about what form my volunteer work will take, but I'm quite prepared to do administrative [office] work, or go out with the turtle volunteers at night. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I would rather be involved with the turtles themselves, despite my original hesitation (due to the fact that the work is done through the night). I was concerned about what I would store my snorkelling fins in when travelling: my large MEC backpack probably won't accomodate my long fins. But Trish suggested taping them together and bringing them on the plane as a "personal item". Problem solved. My landlord is paid up until the end of the summer, cable cancelled, bills prepaid, and I will ask a friend to pick up my mail. Scooper is going to Dundas to spend the weeks with my Mom & Dad and their cat, Tina. She's been given plenty of warning, but I think she's become even better at tuning me out in her old age. Cats. Why do I even try??
I think I'll be okay with the food: there's lots of different types of fruit (stuff with a peel is best, otherwise it should be washed or even disinfected, someone told me), eggs, tortillas, beans, rice, advocados, salsa. mmm. My pesos are in at the bank so I'll pick them up tonight on my way home.
On locogringo.com, I found a webcam that displays a section of Akumal beach, just nearby the restaurant/beach bar named LOL-Ha (cam is set up there).
locogringo has some helpful maps:
satellite photo
Central Akumal map (aerial beach tour)
I'll write again soon...
Tam
