So I just realized that I have not posted in almost 2 months which is really bad but on the other hand the time sure has flown by! I have been working and been keeping VERY busy. Since coming to Carmen (Dec. 4) I have worked a total of 100 days and have only had 7 days off . . . yes only 7! And out of the last 75 days I have only had 3 days off! This just shows why I have been soooooo bad at updating this blog which I am sorry about. I want to blog but have not had time/energy to do it.
Since my last blog I have gone to 2 other platforms, one for 7 days and the other for 5 days. Each time it was different . . . the platforms themselves, the operation, the people, the food, etc. Each time I have slept in one of the Pemex supervisors room's so it has its own shower which is really nice. It is nice because these platforms happen to have only a common bathroom which would be a little ackward for me and the only thing I really worry about when going offshore. I do not mind bunking in the same room as guys but the bathroom thing is a no go . . . hopefully this trend of staying with the Super will keep going!!
Work is getting easier now since the language is getting easier plus I understand the ropes a lot more now. Everyday however I do learn something new! I am still a long ways off but I can communicate sooo much better, and I am not as afraid to talk on the phone and radio anymore.
Finally, I did get some much needed days off and it could not have come at a better time. It was a whopping 6 days which I was really excited about!! At first I was planning to go to Playa del Carmen for my days off but decided against it because I rather hang out with people than be by myself the whole time. It is cool though that I could just go there or Cancun whenever I want . . . it is just a bus ride away (well a 11 hour bus ride but still)!!
Instead I ended up hanging out around Ciudad del Carmen and exploring the area around here. The first 2 days I did pretty much nothing because I was getting over a bad sinus infection. The last 4 days is when the true adventure began. For 2 days I went to a beach that is just 20 minutes from my house. I went with Carla, the girlfriend of John and Karen who I worked with in Poza Rica. It was so nice because I was with people and around the water. Below is a picture of the water/beach. It is just missing a hammock and it would be perfect!
And this is where I live . . . can you believe it!! I get to see this everday!
The second to last day Carla and I rented a car (the beautiful red one below) and went to Edzna and Campeche which is the capitol of the state of Campeche which is the state I live in now. Edzna is the location of some Mayan ruins (well I think it was Mayans). It was so nice out and nice to walk around and climb up the temples. Thankfully, there were a lot of clouds that day so it was not too hot . . . it however was still hot!
Next we headed to Campeche for a nice seafood lunch and then to walk around for a little bit. The first place after lunch we went to was one of the many forts surrounding the city. This fort was on top of a hill overlooking the water and city. The city was fortified to keep out the Spaniards which I think is pretty interesting. Below are just a couple pics of the view and fort. It was very simple but pretty in its own way too!
After walking around the fort/muesum we headed back down to the center of the city or the historical part that was once completed surrounded by walls and forts. The city is really unique because the architecture is a combination of European and Mexican. It was so fun with all the buildings and doors being very colorful! In the center there is the main cathedral and square that has a gazebo.
Hopefully, I will be able to go back there sometime and really walk around. Carla and I were both really tired from driving and the heat so we did not spend quite as much time there as we hoped . . . plus we were both burnt a little bit from the days before!
