A Hindrance or an Adventure?
When I made the decision to retire three years ago, my friends asked me “why go to Mexico?” They could not understand why I would retire “so young” or why I would want to live in a third world nation. Certainly the financial aspect had an impact on my decision. I could not have retired at age 52 and lived comfortably in the United States. But money was not the only factor. The reason for the timing of my decision was that I had always told myself (and others) that when I reached the point of not enjoying going to school every day and working with students, it would be time to retire. I wanted to leave education on “a high” rather than just reporting to school every day and putting in time. I never considered my profession a job, but rather an opportunity to help others achieve the best of their abilities. To stay around longer would not have been good for me, but more importantly it would not have been good for the students or my fellow teachers. Attitude is everything, and if the attitude is not a positive one, others feel it.
Since I felt the time was right, I had to decide where to go. It was not an easy decision, but my family was very supportive, especially my parents who relocated from Virginia to Missouri. They knew my decision would be easier if they lived closer to my sister and her family. And, my friend Dave came with me to help me start a new chapter in my life.
So, Mexico here we are beginning our fourth year in an area with hundreds of expatriates who are here for either the “good life” that they could not afford in the US or for the sense of adventure. While we live comfortably here with the basics of life (but not rich), we are here for the change of pace and the adventure of a different lifestyle than we had in the US. We do not fit in with the “high life” expats in their gated communities and country club activities. We are more comfortable with the common folks who enjoy finding local foods at Mexican prices rather than the fancy cuisine in fancy restaurants at inflated prices that have resulted from the influx of so many Americans and Canadians. Because of the growing number of gringos in Ajijic, we moved to Chapala where gringos are less numerous.
We hear people complain all the time about the inconveniences of living in a third world nation. I don’t understand why they don’t return to the US if they are so miserable. Well, actually I do understand but that will be for another day.
Things that happen here can be viewed as a hindrance or an adventure. Let me give you a few examples.
1. Last Saturday a water main broke two blocks from our house. Water flooded the
streets because the water department was closed for the weekend and there was no
one to turn off the water. The choice was to drive through the water not knowing
how deep it was or whatpothole you might disappear into or take another route.
Since we saw the horses could get through and knew how deep the water was and
where most of the potholes were, we drove through. Others complained about the
muddy water splashing their cars. We saw it as an adventure, not a hindrance. We
made it through to the other side.
2. The decision of where to eat out is often a difficult one for some. Those here
wanting to “be seen” go to the restaurants that cater to gringos, where they are
offered the menu in English,seated at a table covered with linen table cloths,
with linen napkins, and served on china, and use “real” silver……all at American
prices. Or, go to a sidewalk café where the menu is written in Spanish on a
poster board taped to the wall, sit on plastic chairs at plastic tables (with
Corona logo), with the food served on disposable plates and the plastic “silver”
is neatly wrapped in paper napkins….all at Mexican prices. Though I use to be
very particular about what I ate, I have become very adventuresome in where I eat
and what I eat. My Mexican friends tell me that lingua and cabeza are delicious,
but my Spanish is good enough that I know what they are and I am not yet that
adventuresome. But that time will come.
3. What do we do for entertainment? We follow the Mexicans. There are clubs here
that offer music from the bands that come down from Guadalajara, but they require
a cover charge thatcovers no more than entrance into the club. Instead we sit on
the malecon(boardwalk) and watch the kids fly their kites on the beach and
parents carrying their newborns in belly packs as they walk the malecon. While
watching the people and the fishermen coming in at night, we enjoy the mariachis
strolling the malecon and entertaining us with their music. The cost for this
entertainment is nada.If we want to splurge, the ice cream man will be by to sell
us ice cream from his push cart (for 12 pesos). Since we are usually the only
gringos on the malecon in the evening, the locals often stop by to practice their
English and we practice our Spanish with them. For some reason the always know we
are Americans. I guess we stand out in thecrowd, but we do not feel like
outsiders. Though a Mexican boy did want to take our picture one day, and he
politely asked if it was OK. So, I guess he wanted to show his friends what two
old gringos looked like. He took the picture, and thanked us in English.
4. What do we wear to the next event? Do we dress in our gringo finery so we can
show off our new designer clothes or should we wear jeans, t-shirt, and sandals
or jeans, collared-shirt, and “real” shoes? The choice is made simpler for us
since the only gringo fancy clothes we brought with us no longer fit.
Well, you can surmise that Dave and I try to live as much as possible like the locals. We shop where they shop, eat where they eat, and enjoy a very basic life-style. Gringos who come here with the idea of living a rich life in their segregated, gated communities can easily do that. But they see things through gringo eyes, and as a result see much of what exists here as hindrances rather than as adventures. And, as a result, they miss so much.
So when we wake up each morning, we are happy to find our electricity on, the cable working, and the internet up and running. But if it is not, “oh well,” that is part of living in the third world. is a reality of life, and that is probably the most difficult thing to adjust to here. In fact, as I write this the internet is down and I am going to have to copy and paste this on the blog when it comes back up. When I called telecable two hours ago, I was told it would be working again in ten minutes. The Mexicans are very nice people and always want to make you happy so they tell us what they think we want to hear. There is no need to get upset; it will be fixed when it is fixed. If all goes well, we will have internet manana.
Good news: the internet is back in operation....just 4 hours and 30 minutes after the woman at telecable told me it would be just 10 minutes.....this is truly a good day.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Racism
Why is it that the Mexican people in our small Mexican town are kinder to the American expatriates than Americans seem to be to one another in the United States? We have imposed ourselves upon the “natives,” yet they seem to accept us. We do not cry “racism” every time we are treated differently than the Mexicans. We accept our status here, and we always have the option of returning north of the border where “racism” seems to be a real part of daily life.
Watching American television, we see that the United States really has not progressed very much when it comes to racial issues. Some thought that the election of Obama showed how far Americans had come with their racial biases. But, nothing (racially speaking) changed other than the occupants of the White House. Even the President's comments at last night's press conference exemplifies this fact.
“Skip” Gates was arrested by Cambridge police after they responded to a call about a possible break-in at the Gates’ home. The police had no way of knowing that it was Gates fumbling with his keys trying to enter his own house. After an exchange between the police and Gates, Gates was released. The public does not know all of the facts surrounding this incident. CNN has reported that Gates was treated roughly, that there had been reports of attempted break-ins at the Gates’ home on other occasions and then of course the issue of racial profiling.
I wonder if this would have been an issue if a black police officer had responded. Oh well, we won’t know the answer to that one.
Or maybe, it would have been better if the police had not responded at all. But, if the police did not respond and the “burglar” was not Gates but rather an armed intruder, and property loss or bodily harm had resulted, what would be said of the police then? Would the lack of police response have been “racist” because everyone knew (according to CNN reports) Gates (“a prominent and intellectual black man”) lived in that house? If it had been a white man’s house and a black police officer responded, would this be such a newsworthy event? And, would CNN report a white man as being “prominent and intellectual?” I wonder, is CNN fueling the fires of racism?
It seems to me that the police were in a no win situation. Doing their job got the Cambridge police officer accused of profiling. Not doing his job would have led to accusations of the department acting in a discriminatory and prejudice manner.
Again, not knowing all the facts we cannot make a true assessment. But, I hope that in my lifetime, we can get to the point where we perform our duties in good faith and to the best of our abilities and will not have to fear that someone will find a racial motive behind the action.
If that day comes, then what will CNN report?
REMINDER: Blacks in America part 2 is on tonight with Soledad O’Brien - keep up the good
work CNN.
Watching American television, we see that the United States really has not progressed very much when it comes to racial issues. Some thought that the election of Obama showed how far Americans had come with their racial biases. But, nothing (racially speaking) changed other than the occupants of the White House. Even the President's comments at last night's press conference exemplifies this fact.
“Skip” Gates was arrested by Cambridge police after they responded to a call about a possible break-in at the Gates’ home. The police had no way of knowing that it was Gates fumbling with his keys trying to enter his own house. After an exchange between the police and Gates, Gates was released. The public does not know all of the facts surrounding this incident. CNN has reported that Gates was treated roughly, that there had been reports of attempted break-ins at the Gates’ home on other occasions and then of course the issue of racial profiling.
I wonder if this would have been an issue if a black police officer had responded. Oh well, we won’t know the answer to that one.
Or maybe, it would have been better if the police had not responded at all. But, if the police did not respond and the “burglar” was not Gates but rather an armed intruder, and property loss or bodily harm had resulted, what would be said of the police then? Would the lack of police response have been “racist” because everyone knew (according to CNN reports) Gates (“a prominent and intellectual black man”) lived in that house? If it had been a white man’s house and a black police officer responded, would this be such a newsworthy event? And, would CNN report a white man as being “prominent and intellectual?” I wonder, is CNN fueling the fires of racism?
It seems to me that the police were in a no win situation. Doing their job got the Cambridge police officer accused of profiling. Not doing his job would have led to accusations of the department acting in a discriminatory and prejudice manner.
Again, not knowing all the facts we cannot make a true assessment. But, I hope that in my lifetime, we can get to the point where we perform our duties in good faith and to the best of our abilities and will not have to fear that someone will find a racial motive behind the action.
If that day comes, then what will CNN report?
REMINDER: Blacks in America part 2 is on tonight with Soledad O’Brien - keep up the good
work CNN.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Medical care
After Dave had his usual chilaquiles y huevos for breakfast and I had my more American omelette de jamon y queso, we went to the market for the makings of our supper. I have finally gotten use to the meat hanging in the open air and watching as the butcher cuts off what you ask for. It is some of the best pork and beef that I have ever eaten. I still have not gotten to the point of buying fresh chicken, but I guess it really makes no difference as to the cleanliness and saftey of the food. We have been eating from the carts of the local street vendors most of the time that we have lived here and have survived with little or no discomfort. Everyone (even the locals) suffer from amoebas, but we just take medicine once a month to take care of that problem.
Speaking of medicine, we watch with interest the American debate on health care. Though our time watching American news is much less than when we first arrived, we do try to keep up with current events. It gets so frustrating though to see how slanted American media are when they present activities occurring south of the border. Life here is not nearly as dangerous as CNN portrays it. But, I will save my opinions on CNN for another time.
So back to health care. We are well taken care of here. Most medicines are purchased over the counter and a consultation with a Mexican doctor varies from 20 pesos to 30 pesos. If you want to use the services of the doctors who cater to the expatriates, you can easily pay thirty to forty times that amount before leaving their office (I guess some expatriates feel comfort in knowing their doctor drives a new jaguar and they don't mind paying the extra costs). We were foolish in not purchasing health insurance when we first got here, but because medical costs are so low we figured why go to the expense of buying insurance. But, then we thought better of it. IMSS, the government medical insurace, takes three years to fully kick in with coverage. The first two years cover some things but not all. After paying the third year premium, EVERYTHING is covered with no deductible. Our premiums increased 100 pesos this year. It is all based on age (by decade). So my annual premium is 2133 pesos and Dave's is 3211 pesos. Also, we live right down the street from Cruz Roja (Red Cross) which is nothing like American Red Cross. It operates like an emergency room/clinic and financed with charitable contributions and donations from the patients. If a person uses Cruz Roja, an amount to contribute will be suggested (which is minimal), but if the patient cannot afford it, then that is OK too. So, you can see why we watch with interest what the American health care program will be, who will benefit, and who will pay the costs.
The longer we live here the more I realize that living in a third world country is not like what the media portrays it. Though there might be some violence, government corruption, poverty, and even people without medical insurance, can't the same be said about the United States? Maybe the United States should look at third world countries and see how they deal with problems that all societies share. The United States always has solutions to problems (both domestic and foreign), but are the solutions always the right ones for others?
Speaking of medicine, we watch with interest the American debate on health care. Though our time watching American news is much less than when we first arrived, we do try to keep up with current events. It gets so frustrating though to see how slanted American media are when they present activities occurring south of the border. Life here is not nearly as dangerous as CNN portrays it. But, I will save my opinions on CNN for another time.
So back to health care. We are well taken care of here. Most medicines are purchased over the counter and a consultation with a Mexican doctor varies from 20 pesos to 30 pesos. If you want to use the services of the doctors who cater to the expatriates, you can easily pay thirty to forty times that amount before leaving their office (I guess some expatriates feel comfort in knowing their doctor drives a new jaguar and they don't mind paying the extra costs). We were foolish in not purchasing health insurance when we first got here, but because medical costs are so low we figured why go to the expense of buying insurance. But, then we thought better of it. IMSS, the government medical insurace, takes three years to fully kick in with coverage. The first two years cover some things but not all. After paying the third year premium, EVERYTHING is covered with no deductible. Our premiums increased 100 pesos this year. It is all based on age (by decade). So my annual premium is 2133 pesos and Dave's is 3211 pesos. Also, we live right down the street from Cruz Roja (Red Cross) which is nothing like American Red Cross. It operates like an emergency room/clinic and financed with charitable contributions and donations from the patients. If a person uses Cruz Roja, an amount to contribute will be suggested (which is minimal), but if the patient cannot afford it, then that is OK too. So, you can see why we watch with interest what the American health care program will be, who will benefit, and who will pay the costs.
The longer we live here the more I realize that living in a third world country is not like what the media portrays it. Though there might be some violence, government corruption, poverty, and even people without medical insurance, can't the same be said about the United States? Maybe the United States should look at third world countries and see how they deal with problems that all societies share. The United States always has solutions to problems (both domestic and foreign), but are the solutions always the right ones for others?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Awakened by the rains
At 3:30 this morning we were awakend by the sounds of crackling thunder and flashing bolts of lightening. Lola (our 4 kg Mexican poodle) was less than pleased as the thunder rattled the windows. She found comfort by snuggling as close as possible to one of us. Even Jordan (our 45 kg black lab) was a little shaken by the sounds of mother nature. I guess they had forgotten what the rainy season can be like. I think it was the best (though not the longest) rain we have had since the season started last month. People were beginning to worry that this would be an unusually dry season which would mean that our beautiful Lake Chapala would suffer. But now our hopes are that this might be the start of bigger and better rains.
By 8:00, the rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle and I was able to take Jordan for his morning walk. He has had to learn that getting his feet wet is a reality to cope with during this time of year. While walking our regular route, the horses were trotting down the street as they were going from the field where they are kept at night down to the lake where they will be saddled and rented our for the weeked tourists to enjoy. What a site to see. Jordan just watches them pass by us. When Lola sees the horses, she wants to try to herd them.
Then Dave and I started our day. We walked to the market which is about 10 minutes from the house. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before getting vegetables and bread for tonight's supper and eggs for tomorrow morning's breakfast. (Here you buy eggs by the kilo.) After shopping, we walked down to the lake to see what was happening there. Tourists from Guadalajara escape the heat of the big city and spend the time at the lake to cool off. We have beautiful malecon (boardwalk) with play area for children and a wonderful park with swimming pool, football (soccer) fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and playground equipment for the children to enjoy. For just 5 pesos, you can enter the park and enjoy a relaxing time. All of this within walking distance to our house.
All along our morning walk, we were greeted by people sitting on their front stoops or walking along the avenida. Always with a smile and a friendly greeting to offer, we are reminded how simple life is here and why we decided to retire to a place so unlike what we left behind.
By 8:00, the rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle and I was able to take Jordan for his morning walk. He has had to learn that getting his feet wet is a reality to cope with during this time of year. While walking our regular route, the horses were trotting down the street as they were going from the field where they are kept at night down to the lake where they will be saddled and rented our for the weeked tourists to enjoy. What a site to see. Jordan just watches them pass by us. When Lola sees the horses, she wants to try to herd them.
Then Dave and I started our day. We walked to the market which is about 10 minutes from the house. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before getting vegetables and bread for tonight's supper and eggs for tomorrow morning's breakfast. (Here you buy eggs by the kilo.) After shopping, we walked down to the lake to see what was happening there. Tourists from Guadalajara escape the heat of the big city and spend the time at the lake to cool off. We have beautiful malecon (boardwalk) with play area for children and a wonderful park with swimming pool, football (soccer) fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and playground equipment for the children to enjoy. For just 5 pesos, you can enter the park and enjoy a relaxing time. All of this within walking distance to our house.
All along our morning walk, we were greeted by people sitting on their front stoops or walking along the avenida. Always with a smile and a friendly greeting to offer, we are reminded how simple life is here and why we decided to retire to a place so unlike what we left behind.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I think I got it now
Two and a half hours later, and I think I finally have set up the blog on blogspot.....but only after somehow setting it up on YouTube. Dave had to help me straighten it out and even he cannot explain to me what I had done wrong. So if you should see some weird stuff show up from time to time, just remember I am experimenting with what I can do on here.
Also, some of my friends have a rather "sick" sense of humor so please do not be offended by anything that others might say. I am in the political minority here, and I should not be held responsible for the opinions of others. I guess that is one of the risks that one takes in the blogosphere.
Finally, there will be grammatical mistakes from time to time. In the three years that we have been here, I seem to have lost some of the intricacies of the English language. To us gringoes, that is not a bad thing, however.
Also, some of my friends have a rather "sick" sense of humor so please do not be offended by anything that others might say. I am in the political minority here, and I should not be held responsible for the opinions of others. I guess that is one of the risks that one takes in the blogosphere.
Finally, there will be grammatical mistakes from time to time. In the three years that we have been here, I seem to have lost some of the intricacies of the English language. To us gringoes, that is not a bad thing, however.
Today, I decided to join the "world of bloggers." The friends that I often eat breakfast with have been blogging for quite some time so I decided I can do it too. I know that I can count on them to help me through the process. Since I am technologically impaired, please be patient with me. As I look around at the endless possibilities of what can be done on here, I will begin sharing with you some of my thoughts and experiences
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