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How to NOT look like a Newbie in Mexico

If you are a new resident of Mexico, I am sure you are trying hard to learn the social norms of your new community. You want people to find you agreeable and to want to engage with you. The more you focus on learning these norms, the easier your transition will be – and in my opinion – the richer your life will be. So, here are my suggestions to get you started! Always greet people when passing them on...

Planning a Move to Mexico?

A blog reader wrote me recently asking a couple of questions as he considers Mexico as a place to retire. I asked him if he’d mind if I turned his questions into a blog post as others might also be interested. Noise – We don’t mind the street noise (vendors, gas trucks, etc.), but we don’t do well with random fireworks, all-night parties, and dogs who bark nonstop. Some blogs and posts I’ve read say those kinds of noise are...

Milestones!

  • October 31, 2022
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  • Expat

Back in September Paul and I passed a big milestone – 15 years since we moved to México. No regrets, not even one! We wanted an adventure and we sure got it – as everything you do in a different culture and language can be (and usually is) exciting. We remember pulling into Mazatlán in our minivan with all our remaining worldly possessions and our two (now sadly gone) dogs, Lucy and Henry. What a challenge it was to learn...

Where’s the Adventure?

A friend of mine from the México Today bloggers group I was a part of a decade ago made me think when I read his Facebook post below. (thanks, David!) ” The internet/social media has taken Discovery out of travel.  #dumbquestions “ This is a bit of a hot button issue for me, as the questions asked on forums and Facebook location pages show a remarkable lack of adventure from those traveling or living away from their home country. Do...

Getting a Little Boost

Paul and I were happy to line up for Covid-19 vaccines here in México back in March and May of 2021. Our age group here at Lake Chapala was given the Sinovac vaccine. When it became clear that we would all need booster shots to extend their efficacy, I started watching the news and Twitter for what was being recommended for those of us vaccinated with Sinovac. It took a while, but finally I learned that a number of countries...

Heading to México?

  • November 5, 2021
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  • Expat

Those of us who have been coming to México for years remember the days when a passport wasn’t needed and you just showed your birth certificate. You could bring your van and park on the beach or travel for months with hardly a care about your immigration status. It’s been on the horizon for a while but finally it seems that Mexican Immigration is tightening up on the length of visas given and also detaining and sometimes deporting those who...

It’s Time to Check-In Again

I’ve been AWOL for too long, sorry about that! It’s been hard to think of interesting things to blog about when we’ve been mostly home and nothing seems new enough or interesting enough to share with you. But that is going to change! I’ve recently been thinking about the reasons that the blog has sort of taken a back seat in my life and I believe one of the big reasons is Facebook. Most of us on Facebook have a...

Thoroughly Modern Us

A friend here in México posted on Facebook that she was excited to receive a book – a hard copy – of Francisco Goldman’s new book Monkey Boy. I’ve read his books before and have been planning on reading this one, too. But that’s not why I bring it up. It’s that she bought a book – a hardback book – and made a bit of an anti- ebook comment. I do miss books once in a while but I...

Plumeria blossom

Strange Times

These are strange times we’re living in, and not just because of the pandemic. Never could I have imagined living in a time where so many people behave in a way that is contrary to their own best interests. For example, many people in the US are refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. It just makes no sense to me (or the rest of the world) – but then I guess that’s the point I’m making. People also refuse to...

2020 madness

How is everyone doing? Paul and I are managing, not loving it but grateful for so much. Every day I am thankful for my partner, for our home and pets and friends and food to eat. I am even more aware of my white privilege and am committed to being anti-racist in every way possible. But the truth of this time is that the stress is incredible and we all feel it. Even though I’m not marching in the streets...

Who Am I Now?

I’ve always been a hardworking goal-oriented person and usually accomplish a fair bit every day. I have a hard time sitting still and need various projects on the go. While I’m not an extrovert I have a need for interaction with others on a frequent basis. You are probably much the same. That’s why it’s so hard to stay at home so much. Who am I? Is this me? I do keep busy, as you probably do, too. I exercise...

What I Like About Living Lakeside

Every day I read the news and think about how lucky I am to live here. Today, I will tell you a few of the reasons why. Life is so much simpler. I walk to most places to do my shopping. Within a couple of blocks of us are the Monday Market, the Friday fruit and veggie tianguis, and a Saturday organic market at the vegan restaurant. Also within a few blocks are a healthy supplements store and a mostly...

Getting Settled in Our New Home

We are so happy to be settled in our new home! This was our third move in two years, hopefully it is our last for a very long time. Our new home is in the little town of San Antonio Tlayacapan. San Antonio (or SAT as it’s sometimes written) is on the shore of Lake Chapala in between the towns of Ajijic and Chapala. We love San Antonio for a lot of reasons – but mostly because of its friendly,...

Time for (another) change

In my last post I talked about reading books about people who wanted to find a way to improve their quality of life.  That post perfectly transitions into this one as Paul and I have also been discussing what we want for the next chapter of ours. When we rented our house here in San Antonio Tlayacapan, it was a kind of hurried decision because our plans to live in Mexico City had fallen through.  We have been pleased with...

Finding Your Best Life

  • September 29, 2019
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  • Expat

  Most people want a good life – a happy life – but inertia keeps them frozen in place.  Some struggle to put their finger on exactly what they need and others jump into change without knowing where they’ll land.  Certainly we are all different but there are more similarities between us than you would think.   Connection and community.  People who make time for each other.  New challenges.  Supportive friends.  These are some of the reasons people yearn for change....