Life in Mexico (tile, income, living, restaurants)

[Travelling fella]

Please, share with us your stories, impressions, adventures, about your life in Mexico and how did you get here if you are an ex-pat, as we also have users born in Mexico (like yours truly) or our dear friend el_inombrable, it would be nice if all of us share them

In my case I'm a chilango, born and raised in one of the world's most populated cities, even though I'm accustomed to the chaos, things can sometimes get overwhelming, like trying to travel from Downtown to the State of Mexico during peak hours using the periferico, but like a good chilango I know all the alternate routes Subways (Metro here) can also get pretty surreal at peak hours, even hillarious as you see a sea of people trying to get in, when the doors open people get "on guard" and launch themselves with all their strenght compressing everyone until they fit in. Yet in my case as I like to walk a lot, living in this city is a blessing, because everything I would need, supermarkets, my yoga academy, all kinds of restaurants and taquerias, banks, and everything is near me, when I get tired of the frenetic rythm of this city, I always go to Coyoacan, my refuge, oh my dear Coyoacan sweet place of beautiful memories, romances, legends, with it's small town feeling, it's awesome plaza where you can buy all kinds of beautiful handcrafts, or relax listening to the drums of the batucadas, or watch the mimics do their art, or you can refresh with a tasty agua fresca (water made with natural fruit) or just enjoy watching the beautiful señoritas coming and going, or it's beautiful colonial style architecture and small alleys that smell of ancient tales and times, there is also the Xochimilco trajineras, where you can go and enjoy the ride around the canals that once were the great lake of texcoco while enjoying some drinks. I also enjoy going to one of those modules where they give bikes for free, for a period up to three hours, you just need to leave 2 id's with you and if you fail to return them on time you have to pay a fine, then I go to the beautiful park of Chapultepec and excercize myself a bit while having fun, other times I just go out with my friends to the several clubs or enjoy some tasty tacos of all kinds or some huge quesadillas, there are so many things to do and see in this beautiful city, that you end missing while away.

[SarahSal]

Thank you, Travelling Fella for the enchanting 'word tour' of your city! Someday, someday I so hope to visit and experience many of the places that you've written so eloquently about..
(BTW - you don't hear many from the States writing so poetically about their cities - except maybe some from Boston, New York or San Francisco who wouldn't live anywhere else)..

But my subject today is about those who come here to live then want everything they left behind in the States - like Walmart, Costco, etc! After an enthusiastic comment was made on the local forum here about a new (a second) Walmart coming to Vallarta, I just had to respond.

So, I quite kindly questioned the inevitable impact of big chains on the local tiendas and asked whether this might decimate the small local retail and food stores that give such color and warmth to this area. In fact, give it its character and charm- which is why many of us came to this area in the first place.

Well, you'd think I asked about the potential effects of a nuclear bomb on this area! So much defensiveness about this mega corporation that has already done so much harm to millions of small businesses in the US.. Sure, it will bring jobs and bargain-rate prices (in some cases) but I just don't understand how these ex-pats can't see it for what it is - a wholesale takeover of this area's small-business based economy - and at what cost? Maybe I'm the one who's wrong - but I was greatly surprised by the response. Guess the perception of positive 'change' comes in many forms. I just thought my fellow ex-pats would be more sensitive to this issue.

[SarahSal]

After that last (re: Walmart) thought I'd share a *nice*, simple little story that illustrates why I love Mexico - and our town which is growing by leaps and bounds. It's fast becoming a small city.

Anyway, I just went out to one of the two lavanderias we use - one of my favorite perks living here; no laundry to do! We'd determined that the cost of a washer/dryer (much higher than in the states) and the added electric costs didn't justify the purchase. Plus we love the way our laundry comes back, folded perfectly and sweet smelling - all for around $8.00USD a week. What a bargain!

Today I went to my husband's favorite lavanderia (one I never use because I think the workers are unfriendly) to drop off the laundry but mainly to inquire about a bath mat that went missing in our last batch of clean stuff.

I speak pretty awful Spanish and the laundry women speak NO English so I knew this would be a challenge - and I didn't expect to see the mat ever again. Using piso, verde y bano, somehow I got my point acrossand the mat magically appeared! Then as the woman wrote the slip out for the *new* laundry, I asked her, 'nombre', did she want my name? "No, Senora, mira," she said smiling and pointing at the slip where she'd already written my husband's first name, Tomas! And I had NO idea she knew who *he* was, much less me!

And that's the way it is around here as several have already noted. People are so genuinely friendly in the small stores and businesses that you feel good going in and coming out! Which that leads right back to my previous post - you just don't get that same nice feeling when you come out of the chains.

[charolastra00]

^ I love that story, SarahSal! I miss the lavanderia. It only got frustrating when they would close up shop early and I was too shy to bang on their door- which was also their house! :P

The family that owned my local lavanderia was very sweet. The father was teaching himself English and absolutely INSISTED that I call him "Uncle George" and practice my Spanish with him. He also tried to pass me off to his son. Now, his son was very attractive but exceedingly shy. Sadly, it didn't work out for me or else I might have been set for free laundry! That $5 a week really added up!

[SarahSal]

Nice story charolastra00... To me the laundry thing is such a pleasure - I'd rather eat tortillas and beans every night than do laundry!

I love "No problema" - words you hear quite often here.. Today I heard them several times after I'd sent a pic to my husband of an on-going tile job and excitedly heard back - "They forgot to leave room for a track for the mosquitera(sp)!"

Soo today, searching for the right words I explain this to our contratista, whose face first turned ashen then with a big grin he exclaimed in those oft repeated words, "No problema, Senora, no problemas aqui in Mexico!"

And that's just another thing I love about Mexico - real problems don't exist (for long) and/or there's always a solution to any perceived problem.
I think in the states there's this long-suffering attitude and always someone to blame. In Mexico it seems, happiness and good attitudes are what prevail - and keep people more free from stress, thus healthier..

[Baja Boomer]

My mom grew up during the Great Depression, and a motto she lived by for the rest of her life was: "Use it up; wear it out; make it do; or do without". I think that describes the attitude of many Mexicans (and Americans would do well to emulate it a bit more).

If they can't afford new they make do with what they have, and they are endlessly inventive. I remember many years ago in Los Cabos when a gringa friend had an old pickup truck with a radiator full of holes. She couldn't afford a new radiator and couldn't find anyone to repair it because it was so far gone. An elderly Mexican man down the street took a look at it and said "Wait here, I'll be right back."

When he returned he brought with him a box of oatmeal from the local tienda, which he promptly poured into the radiator (along with a great deal of water). When she started the engine the oatmeal temporarily plugged the holes. Success! Both of them beamed, and of course he refused any form of compensation.

She probably drove that truck at least another couple of months, regularly replacing the oatmeal, and though the front of the truck (and the windshield) were usually covered with splatters of oatmeal it worked well enough to get her by until she could get a new radiator.

Can you imagine anyone in the USA coming up with such a solution?

No problema in Mexico...

Baja Boomer/La Huerita
Rocky Point Tides

[La Socialista Romantica]

I suppose I'm what you call a pocha, mom is from Loreto, Zac and dad is from Merida. ( I have this odd yucateco and Aguascalientes accent when I speak Spanish.)

Anyways, I lived in Loreto Zac for a while and it was interesting. Life in a pueblo or a little city is very different than in orange county, which I liked. My family is so much more relaxed, the people are friendly. You can have a conversation with a stranger ,or a store vendor. Indeed, in Loreto, most of the stores are localy owned and run by the family and children.

The lifestyle is also far more calmed down. Since my mom's mom is a bit on the poor side, we lived day-to-day. We'd walk everyday to the center of the town and go from a small grocery store for vegetables, the tortilleria for our tortillas, the butcher's shop for meat....I also love how anyone can set up a table and sell chocomiles and orange juice, and make some profit. Or the street vendors! Fruits,gorditas, corn on a stick, ice cream, nopales in a bag... over there it is "waste not, want not".

And animals grow up much more naturally. For example, my grandma's chihuaha runs around the streets, or dirt paths, really...has no doggie clothes, or shoes, or a stroller. She lives outside of the house, knows her place. There, animals are animals. Orange County dog owners can really learn from a Mexican dog owner.

[Baja Boomer]

I agree with almost everything you say, La Socialista, though I take a small exception to your statement that "...animals are animals. Orange County dog owners can really learn from a Mexican dog owner."

Yeah, some dog owners (not just in Orange County) do go overboard, treating their dogs more like toys than the dogs they are. (Paris Hilton comes to mind. ) Dogs should be allowed to be dogs. But having said that, Mexican dog owners could learn a few things from U.S. dog owners, too.

Such as spaying and neutering their dogs to reduce the number of starving, mangy strays that populate so many towns and cities; making sure their dogs get their shots to reduce the incidence of rabies and other doggy diseases that spread from dog to dog; flea collars to save their dogs the distress of fighting fleas and ticks that eat them alive; making sure they have shade during the day and enough water to drink while they're outside. And when in an area with busy streets, allowing the dogs to roam free is a pretty good precursor to having a dead, squashed dog. I can't even begin to count the number of dead dogs I've seen in and alongside the roadways of Mexico-- it's very distressing.

Being from a different culture, I'll admit that I also find cockfights and dog fights appalling, especially dog fights. Such things also go on in the USA, of course; they're just hidden. Dog fights are so cruel.

Dogs may be "just animals", but they do have feelings, they do experience pain, fear and distress. My personal opinion is that when we get a dog we should accept responsibility for it for the rest of its life and treat it with respect and love and some dignity. Given half a chance, after all, they do love us back.

I'd bet that your grandma's chihuahua is a happy dog and well cared for. But not every dog's "place" is outside. My little pug dog is an indoor dog (and spoiled, but doesn't wear clothes); with her short nose and particular breeding she would not survive outside in the heat, and coyotes or aggressive packs of strays would make short work of her. But within the parameters of her situation she also knows her "place", which is that she is subordinate to hubby and me. And she also knows she's a dog.

Not all dog owners even in Orange County treat their dogs as you have described; not all dog owners in Mexico treat their dogs badly. I guess we could all learn from each other on this and many other things.

[Baja Boomer]

I know the real estate market in parts of Mexico has really taken a nose dive, following the collapse of the US economy. Northern Baja, including San Felipe and the Tijuana to Ensenada corridor; Puerto Penasco and San Carlos in Sonora; Los Cabos and La Paz in Baja Sur--- these places have all experienced a real estate crash AND a drop in tourism over the last year or so. As a result, the lives of the local Mexican population have become more difficult.

I'm wondering how things are doing in your part of Mexico? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico DF, Mazatlan, Cancun/Riviera Maya, anywhere else you all are living. How are things going? Is tourism up or down or flat? Real estate sales?

So many Mexicans rely on foreigner-supported businesses for their income, I'm concerned about how bad this might get for them...

Anyone?

[Travelling fella]

Originally Posted by Baja Boomer

I know the real estate market in parts of Mexico has really taken a nose dive, following the collapse of the US economy. Northern Baja, including San Felipe and the Tijuana to Ensenada corridor; Puerto Penasco and San Carlos in Sonora; Los Cabos and La Paz in Baja Sur--- these places have all experienced a real estate crash AND a drop in tourism over the last year or so. As a result, the lives of the local Mexican population have become more difficult.

I'm wondering how things are doing in your part of Mexico? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico DF, Mazatlan, Cancun/Riviera Maya, anywhere else you all are living. How are things going? Is tourism up or down or flat? Real estate sales?

So many Mexicans rely on foreigner-supported businesses for their income, I'm concerned about how bad this might get for them...

Anyone?

Things are ok in Mexico city, it has the strongest economy and the less foreign dependent one as well, although several friends of mine have been laid off.