Are We So Different?
I have spent so many hours on the computer reading and learning?? things about Mexico in the last 1 1/2 years. I have read forums from various places there, some good and some not so good; but from all of them I have learned something. I must say though, that when reading on the forums you have to take the good with the bad. To glean one morsel of pertinent information you have to wade through a host of whining, complaining ex-pat comments about how "bad" certain things are in Mexico. Comments about how "they" (mexicans) should "fix" their country. If it is that bad, why are they there? Yes, I know, for a lot of people the drawing card is the cost of living. Hmmm... they can't afford to retire in their own country, where they have lived and worked all their lives; but will move to another country and want to "fix" it to be as good as their own???? As to the repair of Mexico, yes, there are things that need improving; but perhaps they should look back at their previous countries of origin and see that there are also alot of things that need to be revamped. Canada and the U.S. also have homeless people, domestic abuses, drinking and drug addictions, political corruptions, huricane victims who after 9 months still have no where to live, etc. etc. etc.. The proportion of low income people increases yearly, while the tax breaks continue to benefit the rich corporations. If Canada and the U.S. would not employ cheap labor, or use the drugs that come across the borders, there would be no market for the things that most complaints are made up of. So whos' problem is it? Why do we have borders to begin with? Yes, I know, someone has to have jurisdiction for all the health, social programs and laws; but why should an imaginary line decide where one person lives and not allow another to cross it.
A lot of people complain about the garbage strewn all over Mexico and I agree that it is bad; but some of the areas in the U.S. that we travelled through were no better. A lot of the info. on the forums is about the best restaurant to eat at, where to get the best margarita, or just plain old whining and/or bragging about what they do or don't have in Mexico. It is a different country with different foods, accomadations, traditions, if you are not interested in different then I would suggest that you stay where you came from. I have learned more and enjoyed more, reading blogs written by people who either live in or are moving to Mexico. We have "met" online some people that I hope someday we will meet in person. Billie for one and John (who I commiserate with for having to get rid of his Ford 8N tractor) for two examples, links to their blogs are on the side. Their blogs are informative and enjoyable reads.
When we tell people that we are moving to Mexico the usual first response we get is that we are going to party for the rest of our lives. It seems that the "all inclusive" resort type impression of Mexico is alive and well. People don't seem to understand why we would want to live in a regular, mexican neighborhood in a normal mexican city. No we have no ruins there, and according to most posters on the Lonely Planet forum, Northern Mexico holds no real attractions and it is best to fly over it quickly to get to somewhere of interest. It is strange the defensiveness that I feel about our new home, when I read things like this; but then I think "good", it will keep them away! What do we have there that is of interest? People, wonderful, friendly, helpful people; who will accept you into their neighborhoods, homes and lives. Who do not judge you, although; they also find it odd that you want to live in an area not frequented by gringos who seem to need a "happy hour" at 10 a.m. in the morning. After they realise that you just want to live a normal life, they accept you as part of the area, even if they don't understand why you would take the bus or walk everywhere when you have a perfectly good vehicle at home.
Another question we get asked often is: what if you don't like there after a year or so, my stock answer to that one is: it's a big country/world. We are able to pick up and move if we want to, we are open to trying new things and are flexible enough to enjoy them, we are not owned by our possessions. When we left home last September we were not sure if we would like Mexico, we had read that you either love it or hate it with few in betweens. It seems to be a place that elicits strong emotions of both. We did not expect to be so drawn in that we would return to Canada with just one thought, how to get back there as quickly as possible. We are homesick for Mexico.
We decided yesterday to go to the bank to sort out how to deal with our finances while we are in Mexico. The lady we had our appointment with, said that in the 10 years she has been doing her job, she has never had anyone come in with this type of request. No, we kept telling her, we will not have a phone, we didn't have one for the 6 mths. we were there and didn't really miss it. If we do, we could go with an internet phone, as we are already signed up with Skype. They do not trust the security of email to do business that way and it seems they also do not trust their own websites security enough to do certain things, you can buy; but you cannot sell or redeem things. She made probably 3 or so phone calls while we were there and we finally decided on a plan of action; and although it is not what we had originally wanted, it will work for us. I guess we ARE different, you cannot go out of the box easily. Things are falling into place though and as of today we have only 39 days left here.
At least the sun is out today for a change, we do miss the sun and the brilliant blue sky of Guaymas.
