This is the beautiful, but "deadly" Jacaranda tree in the lot on the corner behind us.  It apparently causes serious respiratory illness in some people - especially those who normally have hay fever in response to blooming things.  Gregg became absolutely miserable several days ago and just happened to mention it to the guy who cuts his hair. It's pretty common here. Went to a doctor he recommended on Fri. and got a shot of cortisone, and two meds which he has to take for 10 days or so. He's still honking a lot but at least he can sleep now.

We've been shopping for a house to stay in next visit.  There are a lot of them out there for rent, and we hope to find one with a pool next time.  For $850-950US per mo. you can get a 2 bdrm, 2 bath place in almost any area. We like an area on the edge of town called La Floresta, and looked at a house there we would rent in a minute.  But .... the owners come to stay Dec.-Mar. every year, and no one will take a deposit this far in advance for Nov. or Dec. anyway. So if we find one we like, we still have to check back 60 days before we come to see if still available, and then nail it down with a deposit. There are a couple of gated communities with pool, tennis courts and gym available that are also in that range that we need to check out.  A few things we now know:  bring a BBQ down with us next time, absolutely no more places in the village (too noisy), switch the cell phone over to international plan before coming, keep on top of all utility bill payments made by others (they will suspend service immediately if late), new construction is better no matter how charming a place might be as the electricity can ebb and flow at peak times, the internet coverage can be spotty or weak, and the pilot light can go out periodically.  And, unfortunately, NO Jacaranda trees anywhere near!