Funny Photo at Cozumel

Don't throw trash!

I have been very neglectful of my Cozumel blog, with traveling and now posting on my Gargoyles & Graffiti blog, with all the great things I saw on my trip. But I couldn't help posting this.


It is a sign that says more or less ... to take care and keep a nice ambiance, show your education level and don't throw trash. All around the sign was trash on the ground. Too funny! Got to love Cozumel. Maybe the trash throwers speak Mayan, instead of Spanish. :)

Family Lunch on Cozumel

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to lunch at my sister-in-law's house. I brought along my new camera to try out the panoramic view.  The above photo was everybody eating lunch, taken here on Cozumel. I think the photo came out good, but I have a lot of practicing with my new camera ahead of me.

The Magic of Design Showroom

Cemera rattan sofa from Pelican Reef

Ashley Cross Island desk and Hillsdale stool

Coaster table & stools

Going down memory lane, I came across some photos of our store, The Magic of Design, that I want to share with our readers. We have been providing interior design services to Cozumel since 2003. We opened our first showroom in February of 2005 in the old house at 10 and 11. In 2007, we moved to our current location. In 2008, we expanded our showroom. 

Coaster dining set

Having a thriving furniture business in Cozumel is tricky. Cozumel is an island, therefore not a lot of people want to invest a ton of money in their furniture, as if they leave, they normally cannot take the furniture with them. We are pleased to still be around, able to provide good quality product and service to the island. Thanks to all of our wonderful customers!

Update - We have had a brisk few weeks in the store. Every person who came in and bought from us is a repeat customer. That really makes me happy as it means we are doing something right. Thanks to our clients, and thanks to our staff to make it all possible.

Driving in Cozumel: Be Careful

This has been a very sad time in Cozumel. Locals and ex-pats feel so bad about the accident that took the life of Val Robichaux, the retired physician from Colorado who was killed while bicycling. More information on this accident can be found here. This CNN report was written by the son of the man who died. I would like to send our heartfelt condolences.


People die all the time on the streets of Cozumel, not just cyclists. People on mopeds, tricycles, even walking ... in cars and trucks. It is a tricky place to drive. In the downtown area, the houses are so close to the corners, it is hard to see around. And many, often taxi drivers, merge way out into the intersection to view the cars. My heart stops at least once a day when I think somebody is going to barrel in to me at a stop sign. They have the stop and I don't but sometimes I slam on the brakes. 


Another pet peeve of mine is the "Cozumel right turn." Whether on a moped or a bicycle, the driver will go ahead and turn right when they have a stop and try to squeeze on to the shoulder, even as I am driving straight. No stop at all. And don't even get me started on the buses. One today on the highway returning from Residencias Reef (km. 13 approx.) passed our car after hugging our bumper for a while, then passed another car, then passed a truck with oncoming traffic coming at it. The bus driver swerved to the right to avoid the oncoming car, forcing the truck on to the shoulder of the road. Another near miss, but all I can say is that bus driver is just "an accident waiting to happen."


I would love to hear solutions to our traffic issues. What works? Laws being enforced perhaps, for one. What else? I would love to hear everyone's input, and again our prayers to the family of Val Robichaux.

Another Blast from the Past

I came across two photos I could not resist posting. One is of Moises and me at Versailles with our then state-of-the-art Sony camera. It took those little hard disks, before the floppy disks. Hard to believe that was only ten years ago ... 2002.

The other photo was taken by my mother-in-law, Daisy, when she and I went on an Eastern Caribbean cruise. This photo was taken in San Juan, Puerto Rico ... Jan 2003.

The Magic of Design: Parking Lot Madness

Plaza where our store is located on March 30, 2012

Today was the last legal day to pay the fees for license plates in Cozumel. I feel the government is very generous as they allow us a three month leeway to get our license fees paid. They are due in January, but the police do not begin to fine motorists until after the end of March. I think this year is the worst ever, even though the fees ranged less than $20 usd for the mopeds and less than $30 usd for the cars. 

Our store sign is located above the staircase with doors covered with people

The entrance to our store became a mob scene late in the day and the police even came by. Not anything of a violent nature or anything. Just people speaking loudly and playing music, a lot of trash being thrown around and people loitering everywhere. Who would want to wait for this? We paid our fees  on 4 vehicles in January. It appeared to be more individuals than businesses these last 3 days.


I swear every year we will close next year for these couple of days.

My Life: Bogie Dogie After Surgery

Moises and Bogie Dogie

We have two shar-peis, Alejandra and Bogart. Recently Bogie has been renamed Bogie Dogie as our new maid thought his name was Dogie instead of Bogie, so I thought I would use that name here. Both dogs are eight years old. Alex has had entropion surgery a few times in the past, but this was the first time for Bogart. Dr. Julio of Centro Medico Veterinario Cozumel did the surgery on both dogs' eyes. They also had inner ear cleaning, teeth cleaning, baths and nails trimmed.


This is Bogart after surgery kissing my husband, Moises. Dr. Julio did a great job. Both dogs are doing well. Thanks, Dr. Julio!


More information on entropion and entropion surgery is explained here.