Decision time has arrived.
For the last two months, I have been looking for the next spot to bear the Casa Algodón appellation.
The search has not been easy -- primarily because I have been changing my mind about the type of living arrangement I would like.
As a result, I have seen apartments, casitas, ranchitos, and family-sized casas.
But the snowbirds are arriving from the north and the pickings are starting to thin out.
Just as in the Mexican beauty contests I love to lampoon, the time has come to pick the final three contestants.
You may recall that the readers of this blog helped me choose the house in which I am staying. That worked so well, I thought I would try it again.
A brief description of each house follows. After looking at the contestants, feel free to cast your ballot.
I am ready to decide. (And, of course, I have my favorite.) Let's leave the polls open until 1 PM (Mexico City time) on Sunday, 18 October 2009.
Pull out your scorecards and focus on the catwalk. (As a point of reference, the rent for each of the houses is approximately the same.)
Contestant #1 -- David Niven's Villa
Of course, David Niven would never set foot in a place that cried out with every element of bad taste as this place does. Its local nicknames run from "The Wedding Cake" to "The Greek Embassy."
Even though the place makes me laugh every time I see it, it does have a certain charm. It is only one block from the Melaque beach -- the better swimming beach in town. And it is close to some very good seafood restaurants.
Three bedrooms (plenty of room for guests). Quite formal in style. But a lousy kitchen.
David Niven might stay a bit, but he would certainly be sweating within an hour.
Contestant #2 -- Ozzie moves to Melaque
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Ozzie Nelson, that is. Not Ozzy Osbourne.
This house smacks of 1950s American suburbia. It is a huge ranch rambler with three bedrooms, but most of the living area is on the ground floor.
Three bedrooms (again). And a kitchen that would be the envy of any farm wife. A half block from the beach. Additional photographs.
The house has a very functional yard with a palapa right on a busy street. Handy for practicing Spanish with complete strangers.
Contestant #3 -- The Garden Apartment
For the last two months, I have been looking for the next spot to bear the Casa Algodón appellation.
The search has not been easy -- primarily because I have been changing my mind about the type of living arrangement I would like.
As a result, I have seen apartments, casitas, ranchitos, and family-sized casas.
But the snowbirds are arriving from the north and the pickings are starting to thin out.
Just as in the Mexican beauty contests I love to lampoon, the time has come to pick the final three contestants.
You may recall that the readers of this blog helped me choose the house in which I am staying. That worked so well, I thought I would try it again.
A brief description of each house follows. After looking at the contestants, feel free to cast your ballot.
I am ready to decide. (And, of course, I have my favorite.) Let's leave the polls open until 1 PM (Mexico City time) on Sunday, 18 October 2009.
Pull out your scorecards and focus on the catwalk. (As a point of reference, the rent for each of the houses is approximately the same.)
Contestant #1 -- David Niven's Villa
Of course, David Niven would never set foot in a place that cried out with every element of bad taste as this place does. Its local nicknames run from "The Wedding Cake" to "The Greek Embassy."
Even though the place makes me laugh every time I see it, it does have a certain charm. It is only one block from the Melaque beach -- the better swimming beach in town. And it is close to some very good seafood restaurants.
Three bedrooms (plenty of room for guests). Quite formal in style. But a lousy kitchen.
David Niven might stay a bit, but he would certainly be sweating within an hour.
Contestant #2 -- Ozzie moves to Melaque
Ozzie Nelson, that is. Not Ozzy Osbourne.
This house smacks of 1950s American suburbia. It is a huge ranch rambler with three bedrooms, but most of the living area is on the ground floor.
Three bedrooms (again). And a kitchen that would be the envy of any farm wife. A half block from the beach. Additional photographs.
The house has a very functional yard with a palapa right on a busy street. Handy for practicing Spanish with complete strangers.
Contestant #3 -- The Garden Apartment
I did not see this place until Friday morning.
Of the options, it is furthest from the beach, but it sits on the laguna with great opportunities to watch the birds and reptiles that live there.
Very compact. It is the bottom unit of twin duplex apartments. Two bedrooms. One bath. A nice little kitchen. And this is the only place that has guaranteed a good internet connection.
Even though the living space is small, it opens onto a very nice garden with fruit trees and flowering shrubs. A hammock and fountain top off the offering.
Additional photographs.
And there you have the finalists.
I now place my fate into your wise and compassionate hands. (I should point out that I took my electoral lessons from Hugo Chávez.)
