I moved into the bigger and better Casita Colibrí (aka, my apartment) almost 16 months ago — and there’s been some big changes made! First on the agenda was screens on doors and windows because, as I’ve mentioned before, Mexican mosquitoes love me. Next up was the swimming pool…
I know, living in a climate where the daytime temperatures hover between the high 70s and low 90s (Fahrenheit) year round, a swimming pool sounds like perfection. I love to swim and have always wanted a swimming pool. HOWEVER, the pool hasn’t seen anything more than rainwater (and the aforementioned and unwanted mosquitoes) for the past 15 to 20 years. In addition, as we were reminded last week, this is earthquake country, so who knows how many cracks there may be hidden behind those tiles. Then there is the not-so-little problem of water shortages in the city.
Thus, making it my personal aquatic paradise was out of the question. What to do? Besides being unsightly, I was constantly afraid someone (including myself) might become so enchanted with the view and/or engaged in such captivating conversation, they (I) would unwittingly fall in — a thought that brought nightmares! As you can see above, my solution to that possibility was to barricade the pool with plants. However, the combination of the still conspicuous and ugly gaping hole behind, not to mention the waste of valuable space, finally got to me and, though only a renter, I decided to build a deck!
In October, Juan (of Adios mosquitos fame) and I boarded a bus for the La Asunción to pick out the lumber from their mind-boggling selection of wood. They delivered four days later and Juan and Nacho, his trusty assistant, commenced to building, what is probably, the strongest deck in all of Oaxaca.
The space. The view. What an improvement! However, that wasn’t the end of the story. Do you see those four posts sticking up from the deck? Because the deck faces south, those were for a much-needed shade structure. Alas, Juan also has a “day” job at Gorilla Glass and they have gotten extremely busy. Good for them, bad for me! After I returned from the trip to the US in late February, I began a search for someone to complete the project. Tom (a friend’s husband) came to the rescue. He designed the structure, recruited Carlos and his assistant Chivo to build it, selected the materials, delivered said materials and crew, and supervised construction. Needless to say, I owe Tom big time!
Yesterday, after less than two days of construction, the long-awaited gazebo was ready to shield yours truly and her visitors from the sun’s skin damaging rays, not to mention sweltering heat. Almost immediately after the guys finished, the heavens opened and we were treated to a massive, five-hour long thunderstorm. The timing couldn’t have been better!
By this morning the rains had departed and, with Templo de San José and the Basilica de la Soledad as a backdrop, my new outside room was ready for her close-up. All day today, in between trying to get work done around the house, I kept running outside to admire it.
And, it has already been put to good use — a little after noon today, when the sun was at its zenith and sitting outside in days past would have been the last thing we would have considered, my neighbor Marga and I sat comfortably shielded from the sun in those green chairs. Ahhh…
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Shannon, this looks incredible. Wishing you many, many enjoyable days and nights there! I am so happy to have a big terraza and like you, an amazing view!
Not a bad life we lead. 😉
Wow, now I have to come back to experience this little bit of heaven. Beautiful!
The welcome mat is always out!
WOW! I can’t believe it’s actually done! We can’t wait to sit in that lovely shade…It’s beautiful.
I can’t believe it, either!!! Cervesa y mezcal in the shade on the day/night you return, and many more for sure.
Shannon. Your new deck completes your fabulous rooftop apartment! Enjoy!
How did you close the pool so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for mosquitos?
SO happy with the results! As for mosquitoes… There is mosquito netting was attached immediately under the decking. In addition, there is a trap door at the back so that the anti-mosquito powder that the government distributes can be put in the pool. The deck awaits your return to Oaxaca…
A deck is the height of luxury, one of the best things I ever got for my house (in Connecticut). It was large when my kids were small, but I had it made smaller and more comfortable for me a couple of years ago. A cup of coffee and a good book will keep me outside very happily.
I took my coffee out there this morning and the plan is to attach hooks to the two of the poles to the left, so I can hang my hammock. I predict many siestas reading or listening to many good books!
I am so envious….and I love your writing Shannon, it is diddicult to convey the mood and ambiance of a place or thing, but you do and I can feel the heat……and now the shade……
Ernie, thanks for your VERY kind words! They are very encouraging. Btw, when are you going to come down to experience it for yourself?
Shannon, you are too cool for words!
I can not wait for the day I can sit
under it⭕️❌
Louise, you are way too sweet for words! So, when are you going to come down???
lucky lady! Nice going. hope to see it in person one day. Congrats.
Thanks! Come on up anytime. 😉
I appreciate your initiative, so practically and beautiful expressed. Carpe diem in action.
Thanks, Ian. Esthetics and practicality trumped not owning the property — and I haven’t regretted it for a single minute!
[…] of you may remember Juan Martinez, mi amigo and carpenter extraordinaire of Adios mosquitos and A terrace transformed fame. Well, he is a man of many talents — and one of them is building kaleidoscopes. […]
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[…] experience ensued — including Tom H. (thank you!) who designed and supervised the shade structure at the old Casita […]