Living in Mexico from A to Z: Part Two
M - Money, Medicine and Maids
Most expats here keep the majority of their money in Canada or the States; however, because of the recent peso devaluation, interest rates are high in the bank--33% last ...
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Living in Mexico from A to Z: Part One
These next two columns will share some dubious gems of wisdom, organized alphabetically. My editor (are you listening, David?), limits the number of words for each column, so you'll have to wait until ...
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Passion with the Mexican people
PASSION: According to the Random House College Dictionary it is "any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling." It is further defined as "a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for any...
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Flag Day in a Mexican school: Day of the abanderamiento
I'm sitting behind a small desk in the English department of a Ciudad Juárez politécnico - a sort of combination senior vocational high school cum junior college - across the Rio Grande from E...
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From father to son: On top of the world in Mata Ortiz
"When I walked into the museum and saw my ceramic sitting there beside the plaque for the Galardón, I was astonished. I had had no idea I had been awarded the Grand Prize." José Quezada sat with his ...
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In the parish church of San Andres
The graceful 18th century Parroquia de San Andrés, is not only Ajijic's chief landmark, but also the hub around which village life revolves. It is the focal point for those important milestones that b...
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Society's fascination with the wild outsider
Immersed in the history of art and literature, weaved into the superstitions of the collective consciousness, and illumined by the silver screens of cinema, the Wild Man paradoxically basks in the ligh...
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Learning the ropes in Mata Ortiz
Juan Mata Ortíz is a small village of potters, farmers and cowboys in Northern Chihuahua. About 30 years ago, an unschooled artistic genius, Juan Quezada, taught himself how to make earthenware jars i...
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Power surge
Over and over and over this is all I hear. It would appear that this noise means that my uninterruptable power supply is currently being interrupted.
Click-clack, click-clack.
Click-clack, click-clac...
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Liliana, mi corazoncita
Corazoncita, or little heart, is a Mexican expression of affection, similar to 'sweetheart'. This is a story of my first visit to Mexico, and how a sweet, little Mexican girl became mi corazonci...
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People I saw passing by
The streetlamp on any street,
in any city, sees so many people passing by...
Alberto Cortez
I live now in this junkyard. It is not such a bad life. The open sky, the s...
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In Mata Otriz: Once, we were so poor
Juan Mata Ortíz is a small village of potters, farmers and cowboys in Northern Chihuahua. About 30 years ago, an unschooled artistic genius, Juan Quezada, taught himself how to make earthenware jars i...
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After all, This Is Mexico
I'm sitting behind a small desk in the English department of a Ciudad Juárez politécnico -- a sort of combination senior vocational high school cum junior college -- across the Rio Grande from...
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Friday nights in Guadalajara
I had had a bad day. I had gone back to work after being sick for three days with the flu. People who were supposed to pay didn't. My appointment this morning didn't work out as well as I could have ho...
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Traveling in Mexico by car, plane, bus and taxi
Is driving in Mexico safe? Can I take my young children in the car? Are the toll roads expensive?
There are so many questions and stories about driving in Mexico. Unless you're in Chiapas, driving is ...
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Huellas ...Dona Carlota
Secreted behind a thick adobe wall that runs along Calle Ocampo, Ajijic's main thoroughfare, lies doña Carlota's patio. I cherish this tiny, private paradise for to me its warmth and simplicity repres...
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What's the down side of living in Mexico?
My editor asked me to share with you some of the down sides of living in Mexico. He said, "no one will believe it's all wonderful." He's right of course, but for me, the good far outweighs the bad -- u...
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Huellas... en el campo santo
The recent demise of one of my dearest friends has made me reflect on how my experiences in Mexico have not only enriched my life, but also taught me to better cope with death. I am deeply grateful to ...
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Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico: drinking, dining and dancing
The most often asked questions by visitors when they get here is "Can I drink the water?" followed closely by, "Is this okay to eat?"
Okay, I admit I asked those same questions when I first got down h...
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Tarzana, my Mexican parakeet
Excerpt from a work in progress "Have Pets, Will Travel"
Curiosity can kill a cat, but in my case, it got me a parakeet.
When I first arrived in Mexico, everything fascinated me. In this particular c...
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Mexico: a typical day in paradise
One of my readers asked me to describe a typical day here in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. Others have asked, "What do you do all day?" So, I am inviting you to spend this day with me in the charmin...
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Mexico: weather, utilities and prejudice
Utilities
Q. Since I've had several questions on utilities, I'm going to just answer them all in one section here.
A. It's important to find out before you rent o...
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Huellas... de los herreros: the Mexican blacksmith
Taking up residence in a Mexican village has meant, among other joys, the chance to live out my greatest childhood fantasy: to be a cowgirl with horses of my own. I've now relinquished illusions of bec...
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Your home in Mexico: to rent, buy or build?
Updated May, 2009
Are you renting in Mexico or did you buy? Why? Can you own your house outright? These are questions I’m frequently asked. Generally, my recommendation is to rent for at least six...
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Comparing cultural differences: Mexico with Canada and the United States
Although the three countries that make up North America are physically close, Mexico is simply a different country than her northern neighbours. Mexico has a different history and thus a different cult...
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