Posts
My last post, shamefully, was on July 2012. Though I promised to post at least weekly, I have been a miserable failure. Sigh.
I don't know why, exactly, it has been so hard to find the time to post. Could it be my attention is diverted to a seemingly endless list of other things I have to do? My classes for my doctorate seem eternal, I am on a quest to take control of my health (I was recently diagnosed with Diabetes-Oh joy!), and trying to fit some semblance of exercising into my daily routine (ha!) all conspire to tell me I do not have time (the energy?) to blog.
Yet, there have been plenty of stuff about which to blog. Well...not really (more sighing!). I am simply not on the streets as often as I used to be since moving out into the boondocks and also since we ride the bus even more to get to where we need to go. In this place, if you are on the streets and in the small out-of-the.way places you get to see a glimpse of Mexican behavior that sticking just to the tourist traps will never reveal.
This is really the root of all the writing I have done over the years. You don't see "real Mexico" by staying in hotels in El Centro, nor if you hang out in the place that coddle the Gringos. It is also, I cautiously say, the root of all the criticism that have been heaped my way like so much doggie caca by the Gringos (Gringos = Gringolandians); criticism in which the Lord of the Flies ( Lord of the Flies = Gringolandians Mafioso, Mexican Branch) accuse you of fabricating everything in your prose from start to finish.
These are people who, I suppose, forgot how to walk, and drive everywhere in Guanajuato. They send their maids to shop and for all practically purposes never "mix" with anyone but their fellow flies. This might be mainly because most, not all, cannot string enough words in Spanish to form a complete sentence, and that they like "being with their own kind." (A Gringo lady, and a prominent one I might add, told this to me years ago.)
Just how, if they cannot communicate in the language, know anything about anyone in the country in which they have invaded (infected)?
Again, I sigh.
Anyway, more next week (I hope).
Showing posts with label Learn Spanish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Learn Spanish. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
I Am Back .......
November 2010 was my last post. Much has happened since then. I have been a busy guy accomplishing some major life goals, taking charge of my health, helping my dear wife take charge of hers, and learning more and more and more about the Mexican culture in which we live - literally.
Soon after my 2010 post, we moved into the home of a Mexican family from our Protestant church. An interesting fact, at least to my wife and I, is the head of the household, Carlos, one of his paternal relatives was the author of the Mexican national anthem. That is one of the many things, both good and bad, that we have encountered since not just living in Mexico but living, eating, sleeping in the home of Mexicans.
We have the upstairs, more or less, to ourselves and share the rest of the house for meals, laundry, internet, phone, coming and going, etc ... It has been a life changing experience full of ups and downs as we have had the privilege of an intimate and close-up look into the Mexican culture at a family level. Let me just comment, after all this is what a blog is for, that the Mexicans you meet in street encounters, the stores, the parties, in the public, are not as they seem: Mexican Culture is a Mask Wearing Society!
By the way, the family with whom we live do not speak a word of English.
My wife has been busying herself with more cooking chores making all manner of delicious things that she finds online. She has improved her Spanish tremendously! Her accent is improved as well and I am exceedingly proud of her.
I have ended a 2.5 year adventure earning my Master's Degree in Biblical Theology from a school in the States and am now a doctoral candidate in Biblical Counseling. This project will take a while to complete. I have a horde of reading and writing to do. I am also working toward becoming a licensed Biblical Therapist. In is an intense goal but worth the effort.
Where we live is nice. The locals are rather different from living in the heart of Guanajuato. They are accepting to the point of being protective. They are eager to help, patient to a fault, invite us into their homes at the drop of a hat, and we have grown to love them. Here there is not the incessant smell and noise of carbon monoxide machines belching poison into the air (read: Cars). You can walk about the barrio without
the fear of breathing too much car/bus exhaust (there are cars but not as prolific as in downtown).
I plan on weekly posts as my studies will allow.
Good to be back.
Click On This Link Reach The
ROCKET SPANISH Website!
Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
###
Soon after my 2010 post, we moved into the home of a Mexican family from our Protestant church. An interesting fact, at least to my wife and I, is the head of the household, Carlos, one of his paternal relatives was the author of the Mexican national anthem. That is one of the many things, both good and bad, that we have encountered since not just living in Mexico but living, eating, sleeping in the home of Mexicans.
We have the upstairs, more or less, to ourselves and share the rest of the house for meals, laundry, internet, phone, coming and going, etc ... It has been a life changing experience full of ups and downs as we have had the privilege of an intimate and close-up look into the Mexican culture at a family level. Let me just comment, after all this is what a blog is for, that the Mexicans you meet in street encounters, the stores, the parties, in the public, are not as they seem: Mexican Culture is a Mask Wearing Society!
By the way, the family with whom we live do not speak a word of English.
My wife has been busying herself with more cooking chores making all manner of delicious things that she finds online. She has improved her Spanish tremendously! Her accent is improved as well and I am exceedingly proud of her.
I have ended a 2.5 year adventure earning my Master's Degree in Biblical Theology from a school in the States and am now a doctoral candidate in Biblical Counseling. This project will take a while to complete. I have a horde of reading and writing to do. I am also working toward becoming a licensed Biblical Therapist. In is an intense goal but worth the effort.
Where we live is nice. The locals are rather different from living in the heart of Guanajuato. They are accepting to the point of being protective. They are eager to help, patient to a fault, invite us into their homes at the drop of a hat, and we have grown to love them. Here there is not the incessant smell and noise of carbon monoxide machines belching poison into the air (read: Cars). You can walk about the barrio without
the fear of breathing too much car/bus exhaust (there are cars but not as prolific as in downtown).
I plan on weekly posts as my studies will allow.
Good to be back.
Click On This Link Reach The
ROCKET SPANISH Website!Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
###
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Having Mexican Friends or Not?
Here is a forum post I read and to which I would like to respond:
This quote is true to an extent. Throughout the 7 years we've lived in Guanajuato we've found ourselves on both sides of this issue.
When we moved to Mexico we had absolutely no desire to mix with Gringos. Why, we reasoned, would we want to be a part of a Gringolandia when we went through all the trials and tribulations of moving to Mexico? If we had wanted to be a part of an American enclave, a.k.a. a Gringolandia, why move to another country? We could have stayed in America if that had been what we wanted to do.
We found ourselves Mexican friendless based on the degree of our Spanish fluency. The more and more we increased our Spanish fluency the more and more we began to develop Mexican friendships. And, what I mean by Mexican friendships is being invited into their homes to dine but mostly just to chat. Never once did these who invited us into their homes and with whom we've had friendships ask us for money.
Mexicans are, as the forum poster stated above, "a very tight-knit group." They are that. And it is not easy to win your way into their hearts. Some do befriend you based on their preconceived notion that ALL Americans are rich and exist to take advantage of financially. it is just a way of life here. Not ALL Mexicans will do this. Some actually have a work ethic and an ethic that teaches they should work for their money instead of relying on the rich American patron. Some don't, unfortunately.
We are friends with two groups of Mexicans. One is a group of Christians. We attend church with them each Sunday (protestants) who have taken us into their lives. We've been in their homes many times. Never once have any of them asked us for money (as if we had any extra dollars laying around going unused).
The other group of Mexicans have no particular church or Christian leanings (other than Catholicism) and still invite us into their homes to eat or just to have a cup of coffee and lots of chatting. Neither have they begged money.
Though the poster, in her mass generalizations, did not indicate whether or not she can carry on a meaningful and in-depth conversation in Spanish with anyone, I just wonder whether she can or not.
My best friend is a Mexican guy in our church. We've sat and held he and his wife's hands through family tragedy and would not have been able to had we not had the Spanish fluency we have.
So, consider that when reading posts like the one I quoted above.
You might note that 96% - 97% of Americans cannot speak a foreign language. This carrys over when they move to Mexico expecting the Mexican to fall at their feet and become fast friends for life.
It took us seven years and this, we are convinced, directly related to our Spanish fluency!
"I always have to smile when a NOB American, who's planning to move to Mexico, says she wants to come down and live in a Mexican pueblo and not near any gringos so she can bond with the Mexicans. They are a very tight-knit group! As stated, they will be very polite, but they don't want you for their new-best friend unless there is money involved, and even then they will pretty much interact with you only on an employee-employer level. Without my gringa friends, I would be very lonely and sad. I would never think of moving anywhere that I could not have access to my gringas!"
This quote is true to an extent. Throughout the 7 years we've lived in Guanajuato we've found ourselves on both sides of this issue.
When we moved to Mexico we had absolutely no desire to mix with Gringos. Why, we reasoned, would we want to be a part of a Gringolandia when we went through all the trials and tribulations of moving to Mexico? If we had wanted to be a part of an American enclave, a.k.a. a Gringolandia, why move to another country? We could have stayed in America if that had been what we wanted to do.
We found ourselves Mexican friendless based on the degree of our Spanish fluency. The more and more we increased our Spanish fluency the more and more we began to develop Mexican friendships. And, what I mean by Mexican friendships is being invited into their homes to dine but mostly just to chat. Never once did these who invited us into their homes and with whom we've had friendships ask us for money.
Mexicans are, as the forum poster stated above, "a very tight-knit group." They are that. And it is not easy to win your way into their hearts. Some do befriend you based on their preconceived notion that ALL Americans are rich and exist to take advantage of financially. it is just a way of life here. Not ALL Mexicans will do this. Some actually have a work ethic and an ethic that teaches they should work for their money instead of relying on the rich American patron. Some don't, unfortunately.
We are friends with two groups of Mexicans. One is a group of Christians. We attend church with them each Sunday (protestants) who have taken us into their lives. We've been in their homes many times. Never once have any of them asked us for money (as if we had any extra dollars laying around going unused).
The other group of Mexicans have no particular church or Christian leanings (other than Catholicism) and still invite us into their homes to eat or just to have a cup of coffee and lots of chatting. Neither have they begged money.
Though the poster, in her mass generalizations, did not indicate whether or not she can carry on a meaningful and in-depth conversation in Spanish with anyone, I just wonder whether she can or not.
My best friend is a Mexican guy in our church. We've sat and held he and his wife's hands through family tragedy and would not have been able to had we not had the Spanish fluency we have.
So, consider that when reading posts like the one I quoted above.
You might note that 96% - 97% of Americans cannot speak a foreign language. This carrys over when they move to Mexico expecting the Mexican to fall at their feet and become fast friends for life.
It took us seven years and this, we are convinced, directly related to our Spanish fluency!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Guanajuato Choice of Neighborhoods
The "Cerro del Cuarto" neighborhood, or barrio, always seems to list cheap apartments and houses in The Chopper classifieds. It is not the choicest part of Guanajuato to choose to land in your Guanajuato Expat Adventure. Here is one of many reasons:
Correo reporter, Ruth Elizarraraz, reported, Thursday, July 15, 2010, that five robberies occurred mostly taking place on a Friday night. Only one of the victims reported to the police.
This is common in Mexico generally and in Guanajuato specifically: Not to involved the police.
Watch for this in the listings that show lots of rentals and even houses to buy. It is not a good area of town. We have friends, Mexican nationals, who have moved from this barrio for that very reason.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Correo reporter, Ruth Elizarraraz, reported, Thursday, July 15, 2010, that five robberies occurred mostly taking place on a Friday night. Only one of the victims reported to the police.
This is common in Mexico generally and in Guanajuato specifically: Not to involved the police.
Watch for this in the listings that show lots of rentals and even houses to buy. It is not a good area of town. We have friends, Mexican nationals, who have moved from this barrio for that very reason.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Click On This to Reach The ROCKET SPANISH Website!
Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
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Friday, July 9, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex - Women Suffer Violence
Here is another fact the Gringolandians in Guanajuato selling real estate and who have rentals don't want you to know. In a situation assessment conducted in 2009, 6 out of 10 women suffer some form of violence in the municipality of Guanajuato. Another line of the study revealed that 52% of the households in Guanajuato have women head of household.
My point in reporting this is that Gringos, almost always, move here based on a fantasy. Websites talk of living in Mexico will use phrases like, "It's heaven on earth," "Come live in Nirvana," "Experience the magic of Guanajuato," or whatever. These sites are generally real estates website trying to sell you a house or some other service pertaining to expatriation.
Putting in nicely, they have a bias.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
My point in reporting this is that Gringos, almost always, move here based on a fantasy. Websites talk of living in Mexico will use phrases like, "It's heaven on earth," "Come live in Nirvana," "Experience the magic of Guanajuato," or whatever. These sites are generally real estates website trying to sell you a house or some other service pertaining to expatriation.
Putting in nicely, they have a bias.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Click On This to Reach The ROCKET SPANISH Website!
Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
###
Friday, June 4, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex - emails
On the tourist forums there are frequent complaints about trying to make reservations or get questions answered via email with Guanajuato (or any Mexican city) hotels, B & B's, or whatever. The websites of these places, so complains the Gringo, are never updated, the websites don't work, and most of all, they never answer emails.
The answer is easy: Mexico is, for the most part, a country of appearances.
Ned Crouch in his book, Mexicans & Americans, Cracking the Cultural Barrier, (A highly recommended book, by the way) tells of a story in which he went to a Mexican business supply company for some particular need. When looking at the company's brochure, he noted that the company indeed carried the item for which he was searching. Not only did they have the item, but there were claims that the company had these sound-proof cubicle dividers tested in a special laboratory to test the veracity of the product.
Mr. Crouch asked the receptionist where the products had been tested only to find they had NOT been tested anywhere. The conversation went forward to reveal that the claim was made in the company's printed material because that was expected by the customer and that was what company's like theirs claimed to be and do. They had to look like what their competitors looked like whether it was true or not. "They had to play the role and look the part." (page 191)
My wife worked for an ESL school in which the sign on the outside wall made all manner of wild claims of services offered on site that simply did not exist. When I asked the director why she had this sign she said because it made the school look competent. Also, she had 25, count them, 25 diplomas and certificated on the wall of her office attesting to her English teaching and speaking ability and she was in essence incapable of speaking, reading, or writing in English. She claimed to have aced the TOEFL exam.
There is a gift shop in Guanajuato that has an email address which the owner NEVER looks at. She told us she only checks the email if someone calls her and tells her that an email is forthcoming. (And what is the point of that I have to ask?)
These folks have email but do not do business, like take hotel reservations, with a faceless person.
It is culture, guys, and that's how it is. The email and websites are for appearances. It is "trying to play the role and look the part like the rest of the world."
The answer is easy: Mexico is, for the most part, a country of appearances.
Ned Crouch in his book, Mexicans & Americans, Cracking the Cultural Barrier, (A highly recommended book, by the way) tells of a story in which he went to a Mexican business supply company for some particular need. When looking at the company's brochure, he noted that the company indeed carried the item for which he was searching. Not only did they have the item, but there were claims that the company had these sound-proof cubicle dividers tested in a special laboratory to test the veracity of the product.
Mr. Crouch asked the receptionist where the products had been tested only to find they had NOT been tested anywhere. The conversation went forward to reveal that the claim was made in the company's printed material because that was expected by the customer and that was what company's like theirs claimed to be and do. They had to look like what their competitors looked like whether it was true or not. "They had to play the role and look the part." (page 191)
My wife worked for an ESL school in which the sign on the outside wall made all manner of wild claims of services offered on site that simply did not exist. When I asked the director why she had this sign she said because it made the school look competent. Also, she had 25, count them, 25 diplomas and certificated on the wall of her office attesting to her English teaching and speaking ability and she was in essence incapable of speaking, reading, or writing in English. She claimed to have aced the TOEFL exam.
There is a gift shop in Guanajuato that has an email address which the owner NEVER looks at. She told us she only checks the email if someone calls her and tells her that an email is forthcoming. (And what is the point of that I have to ask?)
These folks have email but do not do business, like take hotel reservations, with a faceless person.
It is culture, guys, and that's how it is. The email and websites are for appearances. It is "trying to play the role and look the part like the rest of the world."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- House Sitting
[We are House Sitting a friend's house loaded with critters. This some of the emails to the House Owner.]Sleeping in the bed with four, count them, four animals had to have been what it was like for Noah and his family sleeping on the Ark. I felt like I was in a zoo.
Chloe settled down very quickly and I think more or less instantly asleep. Katie kept shifting from Cindi to me, from me to Cindi. Finally, she plopped down too.
The cats...OMG...the cats.
MID-NIGHT:
I was first awaken at midnight. I had been dreaming that I had been fitted for a pair of cement overshoes. You know, when the Mob's goombahs, after beating you half to death, put you in a pair of cement overshoes then throw you off a boat. I woke to find two, count them, two cats asleep on my feet.
Of course, this made my feet so numb that I had to get up and rub the feeling back into them. This made Chloe bark and woke Cindi. However, Katie slept on.
Then, the cats decided to get up for a while and have wild cat fights. This woke me, of course, I could not recall the black cat's name. I tried calling it to get it away from Yani.
"Bluey...come bluey."
That did not work.
"Nuey-suey....come on baby."
That did not work either.
"Mooy...tooty...looy...pooty."
When none of that worked, Cindi mumbled something from underneath the sheet where she and Katie were hiding.
"It's &$^#(&%@."
"Did you say Neh-neh?"
Snoring ensued. So, I tried in a falsetto voice, "Neh-neh...Meh-me...Tehty-whey-whey."
Finally I screamed at them at this seemed to shut them up.
TWO IN THE MORNING:
I woke in a panic. I felt like I was having a catheter inserted in my "no-no." I woke to two cats laying on my nether-region. You know what I mean. I suppose that it was warm and cozy and both of them were fighting for the most choice spot on my "you-know-what."
When I tried sitting up to break up and fight over that part of my body and thank them both for the compliment, one or both of them dug in their claws. I think they were slipping and hung on to my manhood as their life rope. (I took back my thanks.)
I thought I would wax philosophic about this but I have yet to come up with anything very clever.
FOUR IN THE MORNING:
I tried turning over to find the black cat, Nah-nah, laying behind my knees. Somehow, and do not ask me how, I managed to sit up to move her. She was limp as though I had somehow killed her. However, when I picked her up she made a menacing sound like a growl. I moved her then she made a sound like she did with Yani when they were fighting. Maybe she was dreaming about the fight.
When I layed back down I fell back asleep though tramatized. Then I woke swearing I heard voices in the hallway of men talking. I was getting into my Kung Fu frame of mind (Yeah right! Huh?) to fight them. I sat up only to discover that what I was hearing was Chloe snoring. When she snored I swear it sounded like a pair of Mexican Midgets in the hallway laughing or maybe singing a little ditty.
CONCLUSION:
The cats I get that they want to sleep between our legs. I remember that from decades ago. However, I have gout and cannot have anything, not even a blanket, on my feet. They swell up and hurt like hell so I have cann't have the cats on me.
I do not know what I will do tonight. I might sleep in the other room and leave Cindi to Robert's Ark. I do not know yet.
Is there any way to encourage the cats to sleep with the dogs?
Ok.
-The End-
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex - Interesting News
A lot of the blogs you will read here are scheduled to appear in a certain order, by date, so keep that in mind if you see dates that don't make sense.Here's a tip or two: There are areas of Guanajuato you should definitely avoid when coming to visit or checking it out to live.
1) Las Teresas - The sanitary condition are horrific according to residents of that barrio. The neglect of the area and the lack of protection of the environment has caused the place, says the residents, to become a giant rat's nest. The area, according to the neighbors, affected is the back of Calle San Francisco de la Barranca in Las Teresas. [Source]
2) Fight-Violent Zone - Another brawl at Cerro del Gallo ... This area of the city of Guanajuato has a very seedy reputation. Fights and other nefarious events are not unusual. What you have to watch out for is real estate people trying to sell or rent you a house or apartment in this area. They will routinely tell you this is an absolutely safe area to live and nothing ever happens here. That's why, dear tourist or expat, you need to arm yourself with enough Spanish to be able to ask locals about barrios the shysters are trying to convince you to move into.
I predict the onslaught of Gringos moving into Guanajuato will get snookered in a big way because of their inability to read and speak the language and "ask around." You've got to be able to do this to keep from getting ripped off.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex - Aggressive Vendors
It is amazingly satisfying. It seems that this year alone I have been getting more and more vindications in the Mexico newspapers of my observations about culture in Guanajuato. In my first two books, I made the observation about aggressive vendors around the city that frankly would get mad in a threatening kind of way when you would not buy the stuff they were hawking.
Besides my observation of dangerous parts of the city of Guanajuato where crime of non-petty nature certainly exists, I have reported also parts of the city to avoid because of aggressive and sometimes threatening vendors. Finally, I have vindication:
The article says, and I am paraphrasing, that vendor licenses have been denied for the Plaza de la Paz plaza. The reasons being that citizen have long complained of not only the inconveniences of electric cables to power the kiosk's lights creating walking hazards, the fact that the stands (kiosks) block natural light, but there have been physical threats, "han llegado a amenazar a transeúntes,".
At the end of the article what type of threat is specified:
One I received was from a Gringolandian male who not only indicated he knew where my wife and I lived, but said, "I ought to come over to your house with some of the expat men and reeducate you as to the benefits of living n Guanajuato."
I sent that quote to my attorney in the U.S. who advised me to leave Mexico immediately.
Well, we didn't (we weren't able to because of my health) and lived in fear for years until we were able to move, finally, to another part of Mexico.
Anyway, there you go.
Besides my observation of dangerous parts of the city of Guanajuato where crime of non-petty nature certainly exists, I have reported also parts of the city to avoid because of aggressive and sometimes threatening vendors. Finally, I have vindication:
No habrá vendedores en Plaza de la Paz
Por: Alfonso Ochoa , Martes, 04 de Mayo de 2010
Los permisos para que se instalen se terminaron, debido a quejas de los vecinos contra ellos, dijo el director de Fiscalización
¿TERMINARÁ LA TRADICIÓN?
Ya son varios años que han instalado los comerciantes, ahora éstos resultarán afectados
No se darán permisos a vendedores ambulantes para que este año se coloquen en la zona de la Plaza de la Paz, pues que los vecinos se han quejado de que se roban la luz y han llegado a amenazar a transeúntes, dijo el director de Fiscalización, Jenaro Barba Uribe. [SOURCE]
The article says, and I am paraphrasing, that vendor licenses have been denied for the Plaza de la Paz plaza. The reasons being that citizen have long complained of not only the inconveniences of electric cables to power the kiosk's lights creating walking hazards, the fact that the stands (kiosks) block natural light, but there have been physical threats, "han llegado a amenazar a transeúntes,".
At the end of the article what type of threat is specified:
"Hubo una señora a la que amenazaron con un cuchillo, por eso no podemos volver a darles permisos, pues hay muchas quejas de la ciudadanía" [Ibid]I am not implying that all of Guanajuato's vendors are like this and will threaten you with a knife. However, I have reported that the vendors in certain areas of Guanajuato, like up and around the Pipila, are of this ilk: very aggressive and threatening, and for my efforts those "Cultural Experts," Gringolandians, have in turned threatened me.
Or:
"There was a lady whom they threatened with a knife, so we can not give them permission to return, as there are many complaints from citizens"[Translation]
One I received was from a Gringolandian male who not only indicated he knew where my wife and I lived, but said, "I ought to come over to your house with some of the expat men and reeducate you as to the benefits of living n Guanajuato."
I sent that quote to my attorney in the U.S. who advised me to leave Mexico immediately.
Well, we didn't (we weren't able to because of my health) and lived in fear for years until we were able to move, finally, to another part of Mexico.
Anyway, there you go.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- The Plumber
Well, we've been waiting for the plumber since January, 2010, and he is just now getting here. It's only 4 months, not bad considering it is Mexico.
There is no telling how long it will take for him to finish the job. He is replacing the toilet. This could take an hour, a day, a week, a month. It is hard to tell. This is Mexico where the Twilight Zone Effect could take over at any moment. The plumber could say, something like, "I need to go out and get a part at the hardware store," and never return. Ever. I am not kidding either.
Or, he could say, "I need a $4,000 pesos deposit to do the job." I would then say, "But you said it would only take a $1500 pesos deposit. To which he would reply, "That was four months ago."
You just never know what can happen because, THIS IS MEXICO.
It is 7:45 AM right now. We got up early to get ready for the onslaught. It will be noisy, dirty, loud, smoky (they all smoke) and just where, I would like to know, where will we go pee-pee?
I will keep you informed.
There is no telling how long it will take for him to finish the job. He is replacing the toilet. This could take an hour, a day, a week, a month. It is hard to tell. This is Mexico where the Twilight Zone Effect could take over at any moment. The plumber could say, something like, "I need to go out and get a part at the hardware store," and never return. Ever. I am not kidding either.
Or, he could say, "I need a $4,000 pesos deposit to do the job." I would then say, "But you said it would only take a $1500 pesos deposit. To which he would reply, "That was four months ago."
You just never know what can happen because, THIS IS MEXICO.
It is 7:45 AM right now. We got up early to get ready for the onslaught. It will be noisy, dirty, loud, smoky (they all smoke) and just where, I would like to know, where will we go pee-pee?
I will keep you informed.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Crime in Guanajuato...Yes, It' Here Folks!
If you go to this link, click here, you will find a litany of posts answering someone on this forum as to the safety of Guanajuato.
Now, if you will read below, you will find the facts as to how safe it is in Guanajuato:
1) Correo (Guanajuato) 4-15-10
Four more members of La Familia Arrested
Guanajuato - In less than one month the State Police of Guanajuato have arrested 20 people affiliated with La Familia Michoacána. Most recently, State Police detained four people, (two of whom were women), for murder, kidnapping and vehicle theft.
Of the 20 members of La Familia, who were captured, 2 were juveniles, 3 women and a former policeman in San Miguel de Allende. Also among those captured was the driver of a vehicle who fled at high speed and who was in the possession of a .380 caliber pistol. (SOURCE)
2) The State of Guanajuato is third in the nation for highway robberies of tractor-trailer trucks. -- (SOURCE)
3) NBC's Dateline Report on San Miguel de Allende Kidnappings- -- (SOURCE)
4) Guanajuato Kidnappings: "...in 2008, in Guanajuato were 14 illegal deprivation of liberty, in 2009, the figure rose by 500 percent, committed 70 kidnappings in the state." (SOURCE)
5) GUANAJUATO -- Crimes such as household burglary and vehicle in the capital have doubled over the past year, this surge began from the second half of 2009. Unlike the first six months of that year, the crime rate was increased by 27 percent. (SOURCE)
Here is the point I want to make: Tourists or Gringolandians who do not live in the culture and most certainly have no Spanish skills whatsoever, will make comments about the safety of Guanajuato (or where ever in Mexico) when they have no idea whatsoever what they are talking about.
In fact, they come here I suppose wanting so badly to find a place that isn't as dangerous as America that they will act out in reckless behaviors when coming to Guanajuato. They will go walking in the late hours of the night expecting nothing to happen. Sometimes, things happen.
I have written of these event extensively in this blog.
But, what kills me is that the so-called expats (Gringolandians) and especially tourists really have no idea what they are saying when they make comments about the safety of Guanajuato. I mean, how can they know unless they can read the Mexican news sources that quote the stats and stories.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Now, if you will read below, you will find the facts as to how safe it is in Guanajuato:
1) Correo (Guanajuato) 4-15-10
Four more members of La Familia Arrested
Guanajuato - In less than one month the State Police of Guanajuato have arrested 20 people affiliated with La Familia Michoacána. Most recently, State Police detained four people, (two of whom were women), for murder, kidnapping and vehicle theft.
Of the 20 members of La Familia, who were captured, 2 were juveniles, 3 women and a former policeman in San Miguel de Allende. Also among those captured was the driver of a vehicle who fled at high speed and who was in the possession of a .380 caliber pistol. (SOURCE)
2) The State of Guanajuato is third in the nation for highway robberies of tractor-trailer trucks. -- (SOURCE)
3) NBC's Dateline Report on San Miguel de Allende Kidnappings- -- (SOURCE)
4) Guanajuato Kidnappings: "...in 2008, in Guanajuato were 14 illegal deprivation of liberty, in 2009, the figure rose by 500 percent, committed 70 kidnappings in the state." (SOURCE)
5) GUANAJUATO -- Crimes such as household burglary and vehicle in the capital have doubled over the past year, this surge began from the second half of 2009. Unlike the first six months of that year, the crime rate was increased by 27 percent. (SOURCE)
Here is the point I want to make: Tourists or Gringolandians who do not live in the culture and most certainly have no Spanish skills whatsoever, will make comments about the safety of Guanajuato (or where ever in Mexico) when they have no idea whatsoever what they are talking about.
In fact, they come here I suppose wanting so badly to find a place that isn't as dangerous as America that they will act out in reckless behaviors when coming to Guanajuato. They will go walking in the late hours of the night expecting nothing to happen. Sometimes, things happen.
I have written of these event extensively in this blog.
But, what kills me is that the so-called expats (Gringolandians) and especially tourists really have no idea what they are saying when they make comments about the safety of Guanajuato. I mean, how can they know unless they can read the Mexican news sources that quote the stats and stories.
###
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Sunday, May 2, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- Differences
When the gnats invaded our home and we had to flee, we went to our neighbor's place. She is a lovely chemical engineer from Guatemala. We know several Guatemaltecos who live here in Guanajuato for work or other endeavors. They are different folks.
Those whom we know have all zeroed in on a common thread when we've talked about living in this to-a-fault provincial Mexico. Living in Guanajuato is like living in a closed society. I have mentioned this before. In fact, I have mentioned it several times. The heartland of Mexico is very much like living in the Ozarks in the United States.
It is provincial.
A lot of Gringolandians will tell you I am out of my mind to say that this is the provincial mecca of Mexico. But, keep in mind that those who do, do not live in this culture but live in a Gringo Bubble (Gringolandia).
Anyway, our conversation with our Guatemala neighbor focused on how hard it was for her to break into any sort of relationshop with Mexicans for almost 2 years. She agreed (as has all our Latino friends who were not born in this city) that this sample of Mexican culture is very "closed" compared to the rest of Latin countries. Spain might be an exception and could be considered as closed as is Guanajuato.
Also, she agreed that the Spanish here is sheer madness sometimes. She could not understand anyone, when she came to work here, unless they stopped their modismos laced language.
I most heartily concur with her. The Spanish is here is almost all modismos or consists of so much idiomatic expressions which makes it almost impossible to understand them. On the street, the Spanish is so full of idioms that you just have to scratch your head trying to comprehend what it is they are trying to say.
In more "educated" conversations with those who have more formal education you have a better chance understanding Spanish.
Now, having said all this I do not mean to imply that Guanajuato is so dreadful that you should not come for a visit and spend a few thousand dollars in the local economy. Rather, here is what I mean:
Americans and a lot of Canadians come here expecting Guanajuato to be like cities that cater to Gringo tourists. Guanajuato DO NOT cater to Gringo tourists. The Gringo wants English to be spoken from their hotel staff to any and all eateries they frequent. They want the vendors to speak English. They want E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E to speak English and in this part of Mexico all I can say is: don't hold your breath!
Guanajuato is NOT San Miguel de Allende or any other resort town that panders to Americans and Canadians. I fear this will change, but for now find a Spanish phrase book and leave your Gringo expectations at the border.
###
Crimes and misdemeanors: Staying safe in San Miguel
Is SMA still safe, or falling prey to drug dealers and thugs?
By Anne Nicolai
August 11, 2009
Knowledge is power: Spanish-speaking residents are safer
Across the board, every official interviewed for this article agreed that one of the best ways for foreigners to provide for our personal safety is to learn the language of the country that we’re living in. They point out that Spanish speakers have an easier time getting to know their neighbors and the local police. Knowing the language also helps when calling for help or reporting a crime.
In fact, the author’s calls to the various emergency telephone numbers prove this point: on two different days, at two different times of day,...there were no English-speaking operators.
Click On This Link Reach TheROCKET SPANISH Website!
Those whom we know have all zeroed in on a common thread when we've talked about living in this to-a-fault provincial Mexico. Living in Guanajuato is like living in a closed society. I have mentioned this before. In fact, I have mentioned it several times. The heartland of Mexico is very much like living in the Ozarks in the United States.
It is provincial.
...having or showing the manners, viewpoints, etc., considered characteristic of unsophisticated inhabitants of a province; rustic; narrow or illiberal; parochial: a provincial point of view.
A lot of Gringolandians will tell you I am out of my mind to say that this is the provincial mecca of Mexico. But, keep in mind that those who do, do not live in this culture but live in a Gringo Bubble (Gringolandia).
Anyway, our conversation with our Guatemala neighbor focused on how hard it was for her to break into any sort of relationshop with Mexicans for almost 2 years. She agreed (as has all our Latino friends who were not born in this city) that this sample of Mexican culture is very "closed" compared to the rest of Latin countries. Spain might be an exception and could be considered as closed as is Guanajuato.
Also, she agreed that the Spanish here is sheer madness sometimes. She could not understand anyone, when she came to work here, unless they stopped their modismos laced language.
I most heartily concur with her. The Spanish is here is almost all modismos or consists of so much idiomatic expressions which makes it almost impossible to understand them. On the street, the Spanish is so full of idioms that you just have to scratch your head trying to comprehend what it is they are trying to say.
In more "educated" conversations with those who have more formal education you have a better chance understanding Spanish.
Now, having said all this I do not mean to imply that Guanajuato is so dreadful that you should not come for a visit and spend a few thousand dollars in the local economy. Rather, here is what I mean:
Americans and a lot of Canadians come here expecting Guanajuato to be like cities that cater to Gringo tourists. Guanajuato DO NOT cater to Gringo tourists. The Gringo wants English to be spoken from their hotel staff to any and all eateries they frequent. They want the vendors to speak English. They want E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E to speak English and in this part of Mexico all I can say is: don't hold your breath!
Guanajuato is NOT San Miguel de Allende or any other resort town that panders to Americans and Canadians. I fear this will change, but for now find a Spanish phrase book and leave your Gringo expectations at the border.
###
Crimes and misdemeanors: Staying safe in San Miguel
Is SMA still safe, or falling prey to drug dealers and thugs?
By Anne Nicolai
August 11, 2009
Knowledge is power: Spanish-speaking residents are safer
Across the board, every official interviewed for this article agreed that one of the best ways for foreigners to provide for our personal safety is to learn the language of the country that we’re living in. They point out that Spanish speakers have an easier time getting to know their neighbors and the local police. Knowing the language also helps when calling for help or reporting a crime.
In fact, the author’s calls to the various emergency telephone numbers prove this point: on two different days, at two different times of day,...there were no English-speaking operators.
Click On This Link Reach The
ROCKET SPANISH Website!Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
###
Friday, April 30, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- Gringolandian Kids
As I wrote in a previous blog, more and more Gringo families are moving to Mexico. There seems to be an interest in Guanajuato with some of these exodus participants if what my wife is reading in her online forums is any indication.
Many of them ask questions on these forums that seems to us to be a bunch of Gringos who know little to nothing about culture in Mexico. I actually read one online post (I blogged about this) where the woman boldly declared that having to learn Spanish was unnecessary because living in Mexico is just like living in another American state. She based this on, are you ready for this, the fact that Mexico has Wal-Marts. Believe it or not, she thought Mexico was just like living in America by virtue of the existence of Wal-Marts.
My Lord, these Gringos!
Anyway, just what families with kids think they are going to do with these kids once moving here is a little beyond my imagination.
Typically they ask questions that most certainly show a lack of understanding that Mexico is NOT America. They ask questions that seem to show that they believe Mexican society is organized or structured just like America. Some of the things which they want to know is how to get their kids involved in:
1) Summer Camp
2) Play groups
3) Art and music classes
4) Sports (They usually ask this question naming AMERICAN sports)
5) Day Care Center
6) Babysitters
7) Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny, and Easter parades.
Now, this might not seem to weird to you but they end these lines of inquiry with the proviso that all these must be in English.
Where do they come up with this idea that English is universal here beats me!
(I have to say this: They will have the expectation universally that if a Hispanic comes to America he or she should know English but will not apply that mandate to themselves to learn Spanish.)
I know this couple who moved here for a year with their 14 year old daughter. While she was enrolled in an exclusive school she made friends with some Mexican girls. One of those girls she invited to her house (a typical American teenager thing to do) for a sleep over. The Mexican girl's parents refused to allow this since the American family was "unknown" to them.
This is not atypical. When I heard this story I made inquiries with one of my University Professor friends. He told me that this school the American girl was attending was considered one of the "higher-class" schools. He did not mean that in the sense of a higher quality school. He meant that in the sense that this school had students from a hoity-toity, snooty-pooty socio economical class of families. Families, I might add, that would not associate with families of a lower or unknown class of people.
Our landlady thinks this way. She told us that the area to which we moved was generally quiet but for a group of "lower class" kids in a school up the street when walking by our house on the way to and from school. When I asked, she said she meant they were lower class because they were walking to and from school rather than driving or being driven by drivers.
Do you get that? The fact they had to walk to school and home from school mean they were a lower class of humanity.
And, do you get that the degree to which your kids will be involved with other kids in this culture will be based on a centuries-old class system?
The shocking thing about this is that it seems to be the educated in this country who cling to this class system most strongly. They will often refer to someone who is socially inept as maleducado or poorly educated. In general, I have heard them say this about someone poorly dressed, drives poorly, drives an old model car, or pretty much anything else that is different from themselves.
If you move here you will have to contend with this class-system thinking. Americans don't get this. They just do not get this.
And, as I have previously blogged, it can takes years to get involved in the life of a Mexican family. I know Gringos here who have been in Guanajuato for decades and have never been in a Mexican's home. Never.
It took us seven years and getting involved in a protestant church (a rarity in this country) before we were consistently invited into Mexican's homes for a meal or just good, clean fellowship. Seven years!
I think it a tough row to hoe to move here with such intensely Anglo-Saxon acculturated kids and not expect culture shock problems.
Many of them ask questions on these forums that seems to us to be a bunch of Gringos who know little to nothing about culture in Mexico. I actually read one online post (I blogged about this) where the woman boldly declared that having to learn Spanish was unnecessary because living in Mexico is just like living in another American state. She based this on, are you ready for this, the fact that Mexico has Wal-Marts. Believe it or not, she thought Mexico was just like living in America by virtue of the existence of Wal-Marts.
My Lord, these Gringos!
Anyway, just what families with kids think they are going to do with these kids once moving here is a little beyond my imagination.
Typically they ask questions that most certainly show a lack of understanding that Mexico is NOT America. They ask questions that seem to show that they believe Mexican society is organized or structured just like America. Some of the things which they want to know is how to get their kids involved in:
1) Summer Camp
2) Play groups
3) Art and music classes
4) Sports (They usually ask this question naming AMERICAN sports)
5) Day Care Center
6) Babysitters
7) Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny, and Easter parades.
Now, this might not seem to weird to you but they end these lines of inquiry with the proviso that all these must be in English.
Where do they come up with this idea that English is universal here beats me!
(I have to say this: They will have the expectation universally that if a Hispanic comes to America he or she should know English but will not apply that mandate to themselves to learn Spanish.)
I know this couple who moved here for a year with their 14 year old daughter. While she was enrolled in an exclusive school she made friends with some Mexican girls. One of those girls she invited to her house (a typical American teenager thing to do) for a sleep over. The Mexican girl's parents refused to allow this since the American family was "unknown" to them.
This is not atypical. When I heard this story I made inquiries with one of my University Professor friends. He told me that this school the American girl was attending was considered one of the "higher-class" schools. He did not mean that in the sense of a higher quality school. He meant that in the sense that this school had students from a hoity-toity, snooty-pooty socio economical class of families. Families, I might add, that would not associate with families of a lower or unknown class of people.
Our landlady thinks this way. She told us that the area to which we moved was generally quiet but for a group of "lower class" kids in a school up the street when walking by our house on the way to and from school. When I asked, she said she meant they were lower class because they were walking to and from school rather than driving or being driven by drivers.
Do you get that? The fact they had to walk to school and home from school mean they were a lower class of humanity.
And, do you get that the degree to which your kids will be involved with other kids in this culture will be based on a centuries-old class system?
The shocking thing about this is that it seems to be the educated in this country who cling to this class system most strongly. They will often refer to someone who is socially inept as maleducado or poorly educated. In general, I have heard them say this about someone poorly dressed, drives poorly, drives an old model car, or pretty much anything else that is different from themselves.
If you move here you will have to contend with this class-system thinking. Americans don't get this. They just do not get this.
And, as I have previously blogged, it can takes years to get involved in the life of a Mexican family. I know Gringos here who have been in Guanajuato for decades and have never been in a Mexican's home. Never.
It took us seven years and getting involved in a protestant church (a rarity in this country) before we were consistently invited into Mexican's homes for a meal or just good, clean fellowship. Seven years!
I think it a tough row to hoe to move here with such intensely Anglo-Saxon acculturated kids and not expect culture shock problems.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Learning Spanish
I thought I would once again jump on my How To Acquire a Second Language soapbox. I have written both a paper back book (click here for paperback) as well an eBook on this subject.The vast majority of potential epats who move to Guanajuato seem to be retirees. I have more or less given up on trying to convince this group that acquiring a second language, Spanish, is not an impossible task and most certainly a reachable goal. The reason for my "throwing in the towel" is that this group is so old that they have these unchangeable preconceived notions (untested assumptions) that their age would prevent them from developing a high degree of spoken fluency so they don't even try.
What I cannot seem to get through their heads is that the human brain is "hardwired" for acquiring languages. Notice I did not say "learning languages." If what they mean is that their age might affect the memorizing of thousands of vocab words and grammar rules then they might have a point.
But, as I have painstakingly pointed out in four books and hundreds of articles, learning a language is not the same as acquiring speech. That is what is sought--speech. Speaking in Spanish is the goal and should be engaged in first long before studying grammar or memorizing anything!
More and more families with young kids (and teenagers) are moving to Guanajuato. I just wonder if they really know what they are getting into.
Think of how kids are prone to swallowing things that they shouldn't or falling off roofs or whatever. (My brother fell off roofs more than once.) Do these parents think that in provincial Mexico there are going to be English speakers sitting around ready to translate and interpret when seconds count in a critical medical situation?
I am personally acquainted with a situation with an elder gringa woman who keeled over in a plaza. The gringo man with whom she was walking managed to get her into a clinic but between the both of them they could not communicate to the doctor what happened or her very complex and dangerous medical history.
Imagine this with kids!
How are the parents going to communicate in a situation where no interpreters are available and when seconds between life and death could count?
I mean to tell you this scares me just thinking about it.
I read an article, and quoted it in this blog site, how the police head hancho in SMA opined that learning Spanish is the single most important safety tactic you can take when moving to this country.
So, that about sums it up. In my view, I think that moving to Mexico with kids and without a high degree of spoken fluency first is madness. I do not mean to offend at all. Just let your mind meditate on this for while and all the horrid possibilities that could happen and when seconds count, you cannot tell the emergency room medics what is wrong.
And, do not count on English speaking hospitals employees being in the clinics scattered around the city of Guanajuato. Though I would not go as far as to say GTO is a backwater Mexican town (I can think of towns far more provincial) it does come close and the chances of happening upon a clinic with an English speaker approximates zero.
I say, "Why wait until moving here...start now, in your home country, to learn Spanish. There are dirt cheap courses and free online resources that you can use to begin Acquiring Spanish long before you arrive in Mexico to begin your expat adventure.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Click On This to Reach The ROCKET SPANISH Website!
Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
Who Else Wants to Learn to Speak Spanish Confidently and Naturally In Less Than 8 Weeks??...AND take all the frustration, difficulty and headache out of YOUR practice time with this EXPLOSIVE interactive 'learn Spanish' package!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Guanajauato, Mex -- Conformity
Years ago I saw on Mexican television a public service commercial. It featured handicapped people and pregnant women boarding a public transportation bus and finding no available seating. All the very healthy looking passengers refused to get up and offer their seats to those in greater need. The morale of the story was very obvious.
We ride the buses a lot since we refuse to own a car here that adds to the already bad pollution problem. We noticed the same thing locally that the public service commercial showed.
No healthy looking person, no matter their age, would get up for someone who was obviously in much greater need. It didn't matter if the lady was pregnant and holding an infant or the man was missing a limb or two.
The only circumstances under which someone would offer their seat is if they recognized the other person boarding the bus.
This was too obvious to be circumstantial.
The one seated would greet the bus boarding person by name or title, like Grandmother or Auntie (abuela or tia), and get up offering the close friend or relative his or her seat. Otherwise, tuff stuff if you were in physical need, you did NOT get a seat offered to you.
Of course I have to mention that mentioning this in my books and articles has earned me the title (you knew this was coming), THE MOST HATED GRINGO IN THE WHOLE WORLD.
Well...let me just say I did not make up the whole thing about the public service television announcements. And, to this day (years later) no Gringolandian has ever answered or spoken to the issue: Does this or does NOT this sort of thing happen? The Gringolandian community refuses to address this but chooses rather to accuse me of "hating Mexicans" for mentioning any of this.
Would this drive you insane?
I have often wondered if they send hate mail to the Mexico City folks who produces these public service announcements? ... Oh! But Wait! ...
I have the answer. None of the Gringolandians (maybe one or two) can watch and understand Mexican television because they can't speak a word of the language!
Anyway...
I said all of the above to make this point: Unless a Mexican knows you, unless you are a member of their extended family, you will be treated as though you do not exist.
You can see this everywhere. I could take you to pharmacies to stores to restaurants in which you are treated as an inconvenience. Let someone with whom the waiter or vendor is familiar come through the door and suddenly the waiter or store clerk is all smiles and merry. Then they turn to you and they literally will say, "What do you want?" No "At your service," or "How can I serve you?"
If they are on their cells or land line phones when a relative or pal comes in then they put the phone down and wait on them. If you walk in they will finish their call, no matter how long, and then--perhaps--wait on you.
God forbid should you live under or over them in an apartment. You will be subjected to and forced to conform to their schedule. If you want to sleep until eight in the morning and your downstairs neighbor wants to get up at seven in the morning, guess what? You are forced with door slamming, dumped over chairs (or maybe they are bowling down there), or whatever that forces you to conform to their schedule.
Sigh...
We ride the buses a lot since we refuse to own a car here that adds to the already bad pollution problem. We noticed the same thing locally that the public service commercial showed.
No healthy looking person, no matter their age, would get up for someone who was obviously in much greater need. It didn't matter if the lady was pregnant and holding an infant or the man was missing a limb or two.
The only circumstances under which someone would offer their seat is if they recognized the other person boarding the bus.
This was too obvious to be circumstantial.
The one seated would greet the bus boarding person by name or title, like Grandmother or Auntie (abuela or tia), and get up offering the close friend or relative his or her seat. Otherwise, tuff stuff if you were in physical need, you did NOT get a seat offered to you.
Of course I have to mention that mentioning this in my books and articles has earned me the title (you knew this was coming), THE MOST HATED GRINGO IN THE WHOLE WORLD.
Well...let me just say I did not make up the whole thing about the public service television announcements. And, to this day (years later) no Gringolandian has ever answered or spoken to the issue: Does this or does NOT this sort of thing happen? The Gringolandian community refuses to address this but chooses rather to accuse me of "hating Mexicans" for mentioning any of this.
Would this drive you insane?
I have often wondered if they send hate mail to the Mexico City folks who produces these public service announcements? ... Oh! But Wait! ...
I have the answer. None of the Gringolandians (maybe one or two) can watch and understand Mexican television because they can't speak a word of the language!
Anyway...
I said all of the above to make this point: Unless a Mexican knows you, unless you are a member of their extended family, you will be treated as though you do not exist.
You can see this everywhere. I could take you to pharmacies to stores to restaurants in which you are treated as an inconvenience. Let someone with whom the waiter or vendor is familiar come through the door and suddenly the waiter or store clerk is all smiles and merry. Then they turn to you and they literally will say, "What do you want?" No "At your service," or "How can I serve you?"
If they are on their cells or land line phones when a relative or pal comes in then they put the phone down and wait on them. If you walk in they will finish their call, no matter how long, and then--perhaps--wait on you.
God forbid should you live under or over them in an apartment. You will be subjected to and forced to conform to their schedule. If you want to sleep until eight in the morning and your downstairs neighbor wants to get up at seven in the morning, guess what? You are forced with door slamming, dumped over chairs (or maybe they are bowling down there), or whatever that forces you to conform to their schedule.
Sigh...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Guanajauato, Mexico -- Vindicated
I am always am on the alert for smart Gringos. From time to time some get through on the forums and when I spot a post (actually my wife spots them) worthy of a mention I try to post them on my blog.
The theme of the post I am going to quote below is something for which I caught all manner of persecution when I began writing about living in the central highlands: a.k.a. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, etc...
If you want to see the absolute insanity of Gringolandians, try finding some of the SMA forums from 2004-present and do a search "Doug Bower" ... these people are murderous in their prose about me.
I was recently interviewed by an academic from Scotland. In the course of the conversation she asked me why I do not associate with the "Gringo Community" (translation: Gringolandians). When I told her why, that I do not generally get involved with folks who want to kill me, she was very understandably incredulous. In fact, one friend told me he had read a great deal of what I had written and asked me if I was making up the whole thing about receiving death threats for my writing.
Then I showed him the emails I had received.
He questioned me no longer.
So...that is so much water under the bridge. Gringolandians will engage in illegal activities in Gringolandia, like threatening you with death, and get by with it.
Here is a prime example of the themes that got me lots and lots of hate and even death threats and it is from someone else's pen:
###
The theme of the post I am going to quote below is something for which I caught all manner of persecution when I began writing about living in the central highlands: a.k.a. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, etc...
If you want to see the absolute insanity of Gringolandians, try finding some of the SMA forums from 2004-present and do a search "Doug Bower" ... these people are murderous in their prose about me.
I was recently interviewed by an academic from Scotland. In the course of the conversation she asked me why I do not associate with the "Gringo Community" (translation: Gringolandians). When I told her why, that I do not generally get involved with folks who want to kill me, she was very understandably incredulous. In fact, one friend told me he had read a great deal of what I had written and asked me if I was making up the whole thing about receiving death threats for my writing.
Then I showed him the emails I had received.
He questioned me no longer.
So...that is so much water under the bridge. Gringolandians will engage in illegal activities in Gringolandia, like threatening you with death, and get by with it.
Here is a prime example of the themes that got me lots and lots of hate and even death threats and it is from someone else's pen:
SMA is a very beautiful small city , the Centro and small streets are charming. and photogenic. There are many art galleries and is certainly worth a visit for a day or two, at most. We found it very different from other Mexican cities in a way that it does not feel like its in Mexico, I was surprised that most people greeted us in English and quoted prices in US. We are originally from Canada and now live in Mexico so we only use pesos and it felt strange to have to convert from US to pesos and figure the exchange rate in Can$ as well. Hijole!Try telling a SMA Gringolandia that "their town" ( and they do call SMA 'their town') is not authentically Mexican and see how many threats you get.
There are many many English speaking foreigners living in SMA , most
of them retired and I guess they have made it their own and I figured
that must the tourist attraction for us. My husband is just learning to
speak Spanish, he was offended when he asked to buy something, the clerk replied in Spanish and someone in the store right away translated in
English.
The food we ate was good but not the sopa de tortilla, it tasted like tomato soup.
In summary SMA is worth a visit as long as you are prepared that its
not authentic Mexican.
###
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Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- Your Tax Dollars
This blog is cheerfully and merrily dedicated to all those Gringos who are on their way to live in Mexico. It is written with the motive that those who are coming here would really evaluate if this is what they want to do.Let me share a story with you all. It is true. The names, dates, and other personal info has all be changed to protect the innocent.
If you are retiring here know that the American government does not trust direct deposit into Mexican banks. If you get Social Security and want it deposited into a Mexican bank, this can be done. But, here is how it works.
What SSA does is transfer it to the bank of the American Embassy in Mexico City. From there it is sent to your Mexican bank account. For example, your $1,200.00 US dollars is sent to the Embassy's bank where it is converted to Mexican pesos then transferred to your Mexican bank account.
Well, I can hear you pontificate, I have my Social Security deposited to my bank account in the States.
Well...I respond...the US Feds will eventually figure out that you do not really live in the States and will snatch your account right out from underneath you.
For real, I am not joking. Unless you live in the States, and they will verify this, you have to have a Mexican Bank account and will have your American bank account seized. You have to live FULL TIME in the States to maintain your American Bank account. If you put your daughter's address, or whoever, down as your place of residence, and someone's American phone number, they will check this out.
LET ME REITERATE: Unless you have a American address and phone number where you reside full time, they will close your account and seize your money.
So, if you cannot find a nefarious way around this, you will have to have a Mexican Bank account--you will have no choice.
Now, let's say you get your SSDI or SSI payment on the third of the month. According to the SSA Rules, when your payment date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, that is the third of the month falls on a weekend day, then you should be paid on the Friday before your payment date. Get that? If you get your check on the third and the third falls on a Sunday, then you'll be paid on the first which would be a Friday.
Got that?
Well...in Mexico this doesn't work that way.
If your payment date falls on the third of the month and the third is on a Saturday or Sunday, you will not get paid on the first which would be a Friday. You will get paid sometime that following week and when exactly is anyone's guess.
I mean this most sincerely. The Mexican nationals who work at the Social Security Office in the American Embassy do not get that the SSA office sends your payment on the first if your normal payment date falls on a weekend.
Now that I think of it, this applies to whatever dates: If you normally get your check on a certain date that falls on a weekend you should get your payment on the Friday before.
THESE ARE THE RULES ONLY THE MEXICANS RUNNING THE SHOW IN MEXICO CITY AT THE EMBASSY DO NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND THIS.
Did you hear my screeching alright?
Right now, even as I speak, there is couple who have no money for rent, no money for life sustaining medications, no money for food, no money for anything because the SSA Office in Mexico City is illegally holding this couple's money.
Here's what Mexican truly do not get by a true democracy. A government within a real democracy is that the government is WE THE PEOPLE. The Mexican nationals employed by the Embassy do not work for the Embassy or a group of politicians, or a governmental entity.
They work for WE THE PEOPLE and when on Embassy grounds, they are on American soil and therefore work for WE THE PEOPLE!
The man on SSDI, Social Security Disability, called the SSA Office. The Mexican national male laughed at him repeatedly and especially so when told of this man's illnesses and that without at least four of his medications he could die.
THE MEXICAN NATIONAL LAUGHED AT HIM!
So, that, among many things, is what you are up against if you plan on moving to Mexico.
Now...if you are asking yourself just how this applies to you if you never move to Mexico, let me elaborate.
If you are an American citizen and are reading this, know that a portion of your taxes, your hard earned income taken from your pay each week, goes to support not only the American Embassy, but the Social Security Office within the American Embassy that has Mexican nationals as their incompetent and unwilling-to-help your fellow Americans as employees. They are allowed to neglect their jobs for Religious Holidays causing your fellow Americans to suffer from lack of money to pay their bills and access health care.
If you want to express how you feel about how your taxes are being wasted with these SSA Mexican nationals click here to send an email:
Send SSA an Email -- Juarez
Send SSA an Email -- Guadalajara
Send SSA an Email -- MEXICO CITY (Hit this one if choosing just one)
Why not send your feelings to all three addresses to see if you get a response?
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- It's Impossible
In a not-to-long-ago blog I mentioned the joys (not) of trying to watch Mexican television in Guanajuato. Unless you have cable or satellite, it is virtually impossible to watch TV without consistent problems.
The current problem is channel 12. This channel has been a problem for years and not just for us (I make inquiries). This channel, and none of the others, does pretty much what it wants when it wants. Actually I should be fairer in my judgment of the channel. It has to be the Mexicans who run the thing that do pretty much what they want when they want.
Remember, "preventative maintenance" is generally NOT a Mexican forte. I can easily imagine how the workers, those responsible for maintaining the channel's broadcasting integrity, may not show up for work, sleep on the job, wonders what job they are suppose to do (their uncle hired them), and/or are too busy engaging in any number of nefarious activities while on the job they are suppose to be performing. I mean this most sincerely, this is seems to be a way of life here.
Anyway...
Two years ago, channel 12 went off the air. It took the better part of the year to come back on. I made inquires. No one knew anything.
A year ago, for several months, the channel just "rolled." I made inquiries. No one knew anything.
(No one ever knows anything.)
A week to ten days ago, channel 12 began sending secret coded messages. What I mean is that the picture is visible but the sound, audio, cuts out with a predictable sequence each time. It sounds like Morse Code is being sent. It is as though every other syllable of a line of dialogue is blanked out. Then it runs normally for about a quarter of a minute and starts again.
This is, I am sure, meant to torture me but I have not been able to confirm this.
Also, I've yet to make inquires but will and will blog my investigation when I am able.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
The current problem is channel 12. This channel has been a problem for years and not just for us (I make inquiries). This channel, and none of the others, does pretty much what it wants when it wants. Actually I should be fairer in my judgment of the channel. It has to be the Mexicans who run the thing that do pretty much what they want when they want.
Remember, "preventative maintenance" is generally NOT a Mexican forte. I can easily imagine how the workers, those responsible for maintaining the channel's broadcasting integrity, may not show up for work, sleep on the job, wonders what job they are suppose to do (their uncle hired them), and/or are too busy engaging in any number of nefarious activities while on the job they are suppose to be performing. I mean this most sincerely, this is seems to be a way of life here.
Anyway...
Two years ago, channel 12 went off the air. It took the better part of the year to come back on. I made inquires. No one knew anything.
A year ago, for several months, the channel just "rolled." I made inquiries. No one knew anything.
(No one ever knows anything.)
A week to ten days ago, channel 12 began sending secret coded messages. What I mean is that the picture is visible but the sound, audio, cuts out with a predictable sequence each time. It sounds like Morse Code is being sent. It is as though every other syllable of a line of dialogue is blanked out. Then it runs normally for about a quarter of a minute and starts again.
This is, I am sure, meant to torture me but I have not been able to confirm this.
Also, I've yet to make inquires but will and will blog my investigation when I am able.
###
ROCKET SPANISH
Click On This to Reach The ROCKET SPANISH Website!
Learn Spanish Like A ROCKET With Rocket Spanish!...
Who Else Wants to Learn to Speak Spanish Confidently and Naturally In Less Than 8 Weeks??...AND take all the frustration, difficulty and headache out of YOUR practice time with this EXPLOSIVE interactive 'learn Spanish' package!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex. -- Bored To Tears
I am bored. There's nothing to do right now in Guanajuato. Well, not much to do anyway. I am writing this during Semana Santa. This means roughly, "Easter Week" and the whole town in on vacation. In fact, the whole country is on vacation.
Gringo tourist write my wife, the trip advisor, what "child-friendly" things there will be to do in Guanajuato during Easter. They specifically ask how many and where all the Easter parades will be. They want to know when the Easter Bunny will make an appearance with those dyed eggs. They are coming with secularized American Gringo expectations.
Here is a little Plain Truth About Living in Mexico: Culturally, and to a great extent in individuals, Mexico has not abandoned the God who created them.
Easter here (as is Christmas) still a celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior and Lord of the world, Jesus Christ. If you find that offensive to your secular world view, well, too bad.
One of the reasons we moved to Mexico is to live in culture where the ACLU isn't lurking in closets and hiding in the bushes ready to spring out at the first hint that someone want to put up a navity scene or erect a cross on public property. And, yes, you can see that sort of thing on public streets and that is just find by me.
Mexico is changing. The Imperialistic American world view is slowing infiltrating into Mexico culture. It is secularizing. It is slowly heading toward a secular ideology.
But, for now, it is still a place where you can mention God in schools, the private or government work place and not fear lawsuits.
I love that Mexico!
###
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Gringo tourist write my wife, the trip advisor, what "child-friendly" things there will be to do in Guanajuato during Easter. They specifically ask how many and where all the Easter parades will be. They want to know when the Easter Bunny will make an appearance with those dyed eggs. They are coming with secularized American Gringo expectations.
Here is a little Plain Truth About Living in Mexico: Culturally, and to a great extent in individuals, Mexico has not abandoned the God who created them.
Easter here (as is Christmas) still a celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior and Lord of the world, Jesus Christ. If you find that offensive to your secular world view, well, too bad.
One of the reasons we moved to Mexico is to live in culture where the ACLU isn't lurking in closets and hiding in the bushes ready to spring out at the first hint that someone want to put up a navity scene or erect a cross on public property. And, yes, you can see that sort of thing on public streets and that is just find by me.
Mexico is changing. The Imperialistic American world view is slowing infiltrating into Mexico culture. It is secularizing. It is slowly heading toward a secular ideology.
But, for now, it is still a place where you can mention God in schools, the private or government work place and not fear lawsuits.
I love that Mexico!
###
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Learn to Speak, Read & Write a New Language!
Synergy Spanish - How To Turn 138 Spanish Words Into Effective Spanish Communication.
Learn How To Speak Spanish - A 31-Day Course That Shows You How To Communicate In Spanish Using Thousands Of Spanish Words You Already Know.
Fsi Spanish Level 1, 2, 3, And 4 - Quickly And Easily Master Begginer To Advanced Spanish. Instant Download Just $97.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Guanajuato, Mex -- Winds of Change
The immigration procedures for Mexico are changing. There's a lot of confusion out there as to what is going to happen. I have an "insider" friend who said not even the officials at the immigration office knows what to expect or is going on. Figures.
Here is an article that sounds good but in the end, who really knows?
Moral: You have to just wait and see.
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Here is an article that sounds good but in the end, who really knows?
Mexico Simplifies Visa Procedures.
If there's anything I have learned in living in this country for so many years, it is that nothing is ever as it seems and the Twilight Zone Effect will also come into effect.Moral: You have to just wait and see.
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