GRINGO WAYS vs THE LOCALS

Had this conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee. He was having some trouble with the lady of his life. The lovely lady in question happens to be a Mexican national and he felt culture was a big part of the problem...

He said that if he was a Mexican and had the same problems with his love, he felt he would hire live music, fill the back of his pick-up with flowers and load up on the local fine candies. Then wait until evening and parade in front of her house...actually her father house...and might even join the live music with a rendering of a love song of his own.

Since he is an American living here in Mexico, he felt all of the above just was not his style. He said he would feel phony with the music and all. He wanted my reaction to his just being who he is and just call her on the phone and say... Hi Honey, what say we put this all behind and go get a couple of beers.

I did not dare to to offer any comment on the live music and all, remember I live down here too. But, I did say that it might go over better if he offered dinner in place of the couple of beers. Just my opinion and I doubt it was worth much. Time will tell.....jerry

COMING TO LIVE IN MEXICO

If you plan to move South of the Border, as one reader is considering, you might want to think about picking up a Tourist Visa at an entry point. Just be sure to tell the Border Agent that you will be needing 180 days, the most time a Tourist Visa can be issued for. The cost will be a little over $ 20.00...the same goes for coming down by air. You will be given an application enroute. Going the visa route allows you to get your feet wet without making it a big deal.

To get an FM3 your best bet is to contact the nearest Mexican Consul office, it might seem strange but the service tends to be better and faster up there. The advantage to having an FM3 is in that after 2 years you can change your status and in effect become Mexican. Your US citizenship remains in effect, it is just that you would have a foot in both countries.

The basics for an FM3 are a US passport, an income to support you in Mexico, a letter from the police attesting to your good behavior, if married - an Apostile covering your marriage ...these are issued by the State where the marriage took place. If I missed anything, it is due to the fact that my wife is a Mexican National and that makes a big difference. Even so, it took 4 trips to the official offices here in Guadalajara to get the deal done....

And a Happy Thanksgiving to all. Martha and I will join with her brother and his wife for Turkey Dinner at the local American Legion Post. .........jerry

VIEW FROM THE SOUTH: MY NEW STATUS IN MEXICO

VIEW FROM THE SOUTH: MY NEW STATUS IN MEXICO

MY NEW STATUS IN MEXICO

Forgot to say that my trip downtown yesterday was to pick up my new FM3, which makes me a full time resident of the country. That is at least until this same time next year. When you consider the mechanics, full time takes on a new meaning...but, these are their rules. And the host country always gets to call the shots. Compared to getting permission for living in the States, this was a piece of cake.

jerry

WATCHING THE CNN NEWS

Last night I watched the news on cable and thought about what was being said in Washington. Perhaps being a Korean War veteran colors my point of view, but what I saw was very strange. Here were two elected government members having a sort of Food Fight on a national stage. The thing that stuck with me was...one was a decorated combat veteran and the other was what we once called - a draft dodger. And here was the latter raising questions about the veterans support for our troops. Could it be that the veteran is seeing in Iraq some of what he lived in Viet Nam and to what end.. Nothing like having been there, which the other party in the war of words would know nothing about, since he was never there...not even close.

Remember that election in Georgia where the loyalty of a disabled Nam veteran was questioned because he questioned decisions originated in the White House. That was a sad day for American politics and showed just how low it can get. The vet lost his seat, as he had lost his legs in Viet Nam.

jerry

VIEW FROM THE SOUTH

A BUS TRIP FROM DOWNTOWN

Just got back from a bus trip from downtown Guadalajara to my home. Something happened that really brought home the fact that I show my my age...and perhaps a bit more. I boarded the bus okay, paid my fare of 4 pesos and turned to look for a place to settle down. Soon as I turned a young Mexican woman stood up and gave me her seat...since the bus full to standing room only, I quickly took the seat and thanked her. You have to remember that here in Mexico, Senior Citizens are look upon with respect and special honor. On my recent trip up north to Dallas, I came away with the feeling that getting old was a burden on the society or even a crime. I can see the Prevention of Aging Police barging into my next birthday party and taking me before a judge...who will sentence me to 30 years to Life in a Nursing home. That most likely comes out life either way.

Oh I almost left out the entertainment that came with my 4 peso ride. An old man with a guitar boarded the bus with an okay from the driver. He treated us to 4 or 5 songs and then passed the hat. His singing was nothing special, his voice showed his age...but his collection looked pretty good. Before I got to my stop, a lady came aboard selling candy and chips, I always was a sucker for a Hershey bar. Since 10 pesos comes close to a buck, I had a great old time for my 40 cents....and a ride home included.

jerry

THIS IS MY NEW BLOG.

IT WILL BE MY PLACE TO TALK ABOUT LIFE AND IDEAS SOUTH OF THE BORDER IN MEXICO. WHEN YOU COME TO LIVE IN MEXICO, YOU ENTER INTO A VERY DIFFERENT CULUTURE AND WAY OF LIFE. SOME AMERICANS LOVE MEXICO, WHILE OTHERS ARE QUICK TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM. JUST NOT FOR EVERYONE.

IN THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE, SINCE 1998, MY FIRST YEARS WERE SPENT WITH ONE FOOT IN TEXAS AND THE OTHER IN GUADALAJARA. THEN THINGS CHANGED, I NOW LIVE FULL TIME IN GUADALAJARA AND A RECENT SHORT TRIP TO TEXAS WAS MY FIRST TIME ACROSS THE BORDER IN 4 YEARS.

RIGHT NOW, GOING TO THE STATES, DESTINATION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, IS UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. COULD BE I WILL END UP TAKING A PASS, THAT OLD MONSTER...MONEY...HAS TO DO WITH MY HOW, WHEN AND WHERE. AT THE MOMENT THE OLD LEGS ARE FEELING RATHER GOOD AND ALONG WITH COST, THE IDEA OF A LONG BUS TRIP MIGHT SET THE LEGS BACK. MARTHA HAS WORKED HARD TO GET THE CIRCULATION WORKING AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE HER CARE GO FOR NOTHING. LAST TIME I TOOK THE LONG RIDE TO JACKSONVILLE, I ARRIVED WITH LEGS THAT WOULD HAVE LOOKED BETTER ON AN ELEPHANT. FEET UP AND HEAD DOWN GOT ME BACK ABOUT NORMAL, BUT IT WAS A FIGHT. WELL, ALL CONSIDERED, I MIGHT JUST TAKE A SHOT. HAVING YOUNG RELATIVES YOU HAVE NEVER SET EYES ON CAN BE A BIG MOTIVE.

MY APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT STATUS HERE IN MEXICO SHOULD BE READY BY NOW. THE PROBLEM IN GOING DOWNTOWN TO CHECK ON IT IS FINDING A DAY MARTHA CAN GO WITH ME. IF WE WERE TO TAKE NACHO WITH US HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT IN THE CAR WHILE WE ATTACKED THE RED TAPE. IT MAY BE COLDER UP NORTH, BUT OUR WEATHER CAN BE DAMN HOT DURING THE DAY. SO, HIS WAITING IN THE CAR IS OUT. THAT LEAVES US WITH FIND A SITTER TO STAY WITH HIM, FEW OPTIONS ON THAT SCORE. IS NOTHING EASY OR IS POP BECOMING AN OLD GRUMP. HOW ABOUT WE SPLIT IT DOWN THE MIDDLE, I CAN LIVE WITH THAT.

THIS BLOG WILL BE ADDED TO IF AND WHEN POP GETS THE URGE.

POP