Getting to Mexico

Catching up...

2009-03-29T12:23:00.003-04:00

We did it. We sold the Maine house, drove from Maine to Jocotepec, arranged for care and transport of our 3 cats, moved our goods to Mexico, arranged a rental for 5 months and bought a house. So far, it's all going well. The cats are thriving here, they're outside every day which wasn't the case in the Maine winters. We've already obtained excellent vet care for our cat Sammy.

On the communications front we've set up a skype phone over the internet, and though I evidently sound like I'm in a cave, I'm able to talk to relatives NOB (that's North of the Border).

And, we bought a wonderful house that we're in the process of remodeling. We've got a wonderful Contractor, Danny, and some excellent hard-working carpenters, iron-workers, and plasterers.

With regard to food, I'm eating more vegetables, and enjoying the excellent Argentinian steaks available in the truly affordable restaurants mainly centered in Ajijic. Both Ray and I have lost weight because we walk more and we're eating healthier foods.

In February, I came down with a nasty cold and accquired a new Medical Doctor. The treatment and care have been truly impressive...efficient, timely, thorough and the latest in medical innovation.

to do before leaving

2008-11-11T09:37:00.004-05:00

discuss and arrange with Curt (across street) about keeping an eye on the house

List for car

2008-09-17T12:50:00.016-04:00

drinking water
snack bars

tp or moist cloths
Electric heater
subset of kitchen stuff (flatware/utensils)
coffee maker/grinder
a couple of mugs
a couple of glasses

Meds/toiletries
eye glasses and contacts
Clothes
Shoes
Comforters/pillows
towels
Mexico Books & Maps

laptops
scanner
laser printer
power strips
software CDs
hard drives from computers
DVM: voltage meter
tools
Camera/batteries

important papers plus passports
You need original and one copy of Driver's Licenses, registration, Passport and Birth certificate of all drivers, (and FM3 if you have it instead of Tourist Visa) and a credit card.
jewelery

Moving goods

2008-09-17T12:50:00.008-04:00

To add things to move, use to previous post "what to pack for moving"

Suggest collecting things to move in garage.
Put tarp down on floor and cover goods
Must be placed near back so that the rest of things in the garage can be moved.
Place at back on right hand side. Move table saw.

I already talked to movers from Ajijic who also own storage facility. They suggested that we get estimates in late Oct. or early Nov.

What to pack for Moving

2008-08-12T16:52:00.006-04:00

What to pack?
books
paintings
gear for wireless network.
kitchen: dishes, knives, flatware, dish towels,
mixing bowls, strainers
mixer
coffee maker (take in car?)
capacino maker
toaster
can opener
pans

clothes
shoes
blankets, sheets, comforters
towels

What furniture to take?
outdoor chairs 2
porch rockers 2
cornell rocker
Cyn computer table
kitchen table
3 chairs

Cases for going to Mexico Dec-Feb 08

2008-08-11T13:18:00.004-04:00

Universal?

Cats with Darlyne to be shipped when we get to Mexico. Have to check with Darlene on the cost. Will she obtain permits from vet? Will she take them to airport?

Plan route (gas costs)

Put house up for sale in Sept./oct.
Have house emptied? not sure, talk to realtor

US state residency? Cyn's suggestion: keep maine residency until house sold. Not sure after that.

House not sold by December but sold while we are away.
House sold by realtor Who empties house? Real estate agent? House emptied by whom? Where are our keepables? shipped how? I suggest shipping them now.

US state residency Does one of us have to come back? not sure about this
House not sold by Feb. and we stay in Mexico Cats stay in Mexico Residency permits?

Where are our keepables? US state residency? Leave house on market

When does free household shipping period start; tourist visa or residency? I belive residency, and lasts for 6 mos?

House not sold by December but sold while we are away.
House sold by realtor Who empties house? Real estate agent? House emptied by whom? Who empties house? Real estate agent? We'll have to ask Ardyth. Instructions would be to sell or donate what's left.
House not sold by Feb. and we come back Cats have to be shipped back to Darlyn

We drive back?

Where are our keepables? In garage to be shipped to Ajijic.

Take house off market or leave on market? Leave on market. It's 1700+ per month to keep it.

Medical insurance? Can get travelers insurance for 3 mo. Look into insurance while we're down there.

Getting to Maine....

2008-06-11T10:49:00.003-04:00

It was a long trip home. Missed connection in Atlanta. A night at the Sheraton. Then, Ray's jeep, which has never broken down before went kaput on the way home. It all took longer then expected, but we are home and the cats are all here and glad to see us. I highly recommend AAA and Chrysler for taking care of the mishap!

Saturday Pictures

2008-06-07T21:10:00.002-04:00

Dinner at La Iguana de Piedra

Manuel the Gardner and that man in the garden.

Bye bye Hillary

2008-06-07T13:29:00.004-04:00

We just watched Hillary's address of farewell. She did a good job, though one could see how difficult it was for her to withdraw....make that suspend...her campaign. I think her endorsement of Obama was very difficult, but she did it. Now, lets see the kind of support she lends to Obama's efforts. I guess this campaign will continue to be interesting though I wish Obama could just become the president now.

I read that Obama is taking the weekend off and has a date with his wife and is sponsoring a "sleep-over" for 6 eight-year-olds at his house. I'm not sure that last aspect really counts as "time off".

It rained here last night, so the rainy season is commencing and the word is bueno. However, those "rain-watchers", the little buzz saws, are still going at it.

Last night we went into the town of Chapala with Phyllis, our B&B hostess, and had fish in a lakeside restaurant and visited the museum created from the old railway station. The building. a beautiful Victorian structure, was picturesque. The town of Chapala reminds me of the old pictures of Miami with stately architecture and huge palm trees.

Just another day in perfect weather

2008-06-06T16:04:00.005-04:00

Today I got out the paints again, and I made a few attempts at some watercolors. I think it's safe to say that I haven't got my groove back in my art, but practice, practice, practice. I've felt a bit discouraged, but I guess you can't walk away from something for 20 years and expect to proceed. It's not really like riding a bike.

On other fronts, I've become very relaxed in our new abode. I guess I'm absorbing the Mexican ambiance. The other night I had fillet mignon for dinner. $11. Really.

It's been quite warm here probably in the 90s in the afternoons, but with very low humidity it's fine.

We've been told that May and June are the hottest months of the year, then the rains come at the end of June. Two things happen then: the hills and countryside turn green populated with wildflowers almost overnight, and the bobos go away. Bobos are gnats that don't bite but swarm on certain windless days and can be annoying but not dangerous. There are also annoying cricket-type creatures referred to as "rain callers" who are heard just before the rains. We never see them, but they sound like tiny buzz-saws. Again, we are assured that they go away once the rains come.

Yesterday we attended a lecture on relocating to the Lake Chapala area. Kinda' boring but necessary stuff about living here: postal service (bad), phones, TV, internet, buying houses, renting, driving, medical care(good), estimates of costs of living(good). There were 4 other couples (we may have been the youngest), and afterwards we had a very long lunch with a couple from Colorado. Interesting. NRA members and a master bridge player. We enjoyed our lunch and exchanged a lot of opinions. He will vote for McCain, his wife wasn't saying.

The restaurants here are wonderful, and there are many beautiful places to live. In addition, there is the omnipresence of hard-working Mexicans who show up each morning and clean the rooms, do the laundry, sweep the pool, and anything else that has to be done.

The trip from the main road up through the village of Jocotepec is enlightening if not inspiring. The people are poor. The village homes are close together and in many cases very shabby. However, the homes are all of brick and they are not falling down, just not much to look at. Even the most beautiful parts of Ajijic are not much to look at from the narrow streets, but entering any house or restaurant opens up a vista of gardens and beauty.

One of the most enlivening aspects of viewing the area is the constant presence of art and artisan crafts. Every room has recessed nooks for artifacts, all tiles are either artistic expressions or bordered by artistic tiles. Much of the work we take for granted like hand rails and doors are. hand crafted. It takes a while to notice the subtle beauty of it all.

Tonight we'll be going into Chapala, yet another small town here on the Chapala Riveria. Ta.

Los Dos images

2008-06-04T13:51:00.003-04:00

View from breakfast terrace

Back in the USSA...or so we hear.

2008-06-04T12:37:00.004-04:00

Yup, we were able to watch the Obama speech last night, and what a great speech. Our TV is supposed to get CNN but it was unintelligible because of snow and static. We logged onto Cspan live and heard the speech there. It was great.

We tried to get MSNBC online as well, but found that the feed (or whatever one calls the video that one gets over the internet.) was stop and go. I.e., "That was a stunning point, Tim........long pause....then whatever the less than stunning point was." We kind of miss Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, believe it or not.

However, it was wonderful to be in Mexico and see Obama get the nomination. I have hope.

On a calmer note, we listened to Hillary's speech as well. I guess I expected more good grace and teamwork, but instead I think someone should count the number of times she used the word "I"....well I guess it depends on whether that's "I" or the "Royal I".

2008-06-04T10:14:00.002-04:00

Here I sit watching the sun expose parts of Jocotepec , listening to roosters announce a new day, trying to find somebody to discuss Pascal matrices with, watching the flowers and hummingbirds, and waiting for my wife to get up along with the clouds of gnats. The Bobo's haven't started, but I am not looking forward to that.
Mexico really is a nice place!
Ray

Checking in...

2008-06-02T22:07:00.002-04:00

We're back in the comfortable climate of Lake Chapala once again. We had a wonderful long lunch with a couple of Canadian professors of Political Science and Writing, then came back to the B&B for a swim and are getting around to the computer once again.

Our ride back from Sayulita was relatively uneventful, thankfully. The Los Dos B&B where we're staying now has "suites" that include kitchenettes, pool, and of course the necessary internet connection. Check out the web site for Los Dos B&B. The owner, Phyllis Rauch gave us a tour of her husband's studio this morning. Man, would I love to have that sunlit studio. Mostly expressionist art, and impressive.

Tomorrow I'll be going with Phyllis to water aerobics at the warm springs at the racket club. I'll keep you posted.

So we'll be staying here at Los Dos for another week, then we return to Maine next monday 6/9.

Could we live here? I think so, I'm really enjoying the area.

Hasta la vista!

Laid back in Sayulita

2008-05-30T12:12:00.007-04:00

Imagine yourself on a hot and humid day at the top of the hill. Your husband asks, “Do you have the keys?” One of us lost the keys. No one is willing to take the blame. So I sat on the doorstep and let Ray solve the problem.

After driving down to Choco Bananas to check, and in the meantime breaking his belt, Ray, with hands in pockets to hold up his baggy shorts, sauntered across the town plaza and had no luck. Returning to the top of the hill we searched out young neighbors who managed to scale a few walls and let us into our casita. Great fun.

It is very hot and humid here today, and thus our decision to live inland. Yes, and house by the sea would be lovely as long as you don't have to live there in the Mexican summer.

We've also acquired a cat! Yesterday after breakfast, we heard meowing at the door. We donated the milk from our breakfast cereal.

Today, Friday, we decided to get down to the town early, and there was our friend at the door meowing for his breakfast. We supplied milk again. Tomorrow we leave and someone else will inherit our new cat!

After walking through nearly deserted streets in the town for a week, we finally came down inthe morning, and this place is jumping! People all over the place. We're going to have to get this siesta thing down.

Later.

Remember 300 baud?

2008-05-28T17:49:00.004-04:00

That's what it's like uploading images here at Choco Bananas! Anyway I read a couple of the blogs, and I see Hillary's still at it!

Oh well, back up the hill.

Another day in paradise

2008-05-28T17:41:00.002-04:00

Another day in Paradise.
Just so all you world travelers out there know, in Sayulita the merchants do not accept money from Dubrovnik. Seems yesterday as I attempted to purchase a beach towel I dug down into my camera bag and came up with a bill that said 100 on it. The non-English speaking merchant was quite taken aback. The non-Spanish speaking Cynthia kept showing her the tag on the towel that said $90, and the amount on the bill that said 100. Commerce was not happening. The pretty Mexican merchant ran next door then across the plaza and brought back another norteamericano who had a long conversation in Spanish and finally turned to me and asked where I was from. I told her USA, and she said this is worthless. As we waited, I thought we had picked up counterfeit bills somewhere. Ray wandered over and provided a 100 peso note to pay,
The store person finally returned the note to me and as I read the small print I realized the note was 100 Kuna from Dubrovnik that I had tucked into my camera case long ago. I tried to explain, but the young lady didn't seem to know of Dubrovnik....of course neither did I until about a year ago. Anyone looking to visit Dubrovnik soon? Free money ... if they still use Kuna.
Our schedule has settled down into lazy mornings drinking coffee, some painting, taking in the view and enjoying the breeze. Then sometime in the afternoon we trek down to town looking for food and drink. Like we did in Europe, we seem to get moving just as everyone else is closing up for siesta. But because this is a tourist town there's always something open.
Choco Banana is the local haunt open all day with great chocolate coffee frosted drinks and free wireless Internet.
As we stumble around through the town, we find good eateries and shops for jewelery and art. In addition, every other shop is a Real Estate office including Christie's Estates. Seems the expectation is that Sayulita will become the next Puerto Vallarta (think Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Night of the Iguana) The sidewalks are not unlike Venice, one never knows when there will be a step up or down in the old pavement.
No TV, no internet at our mountaintop abode. Someone please tell me that Hillary has dropped out of the race! You can lie, it's ok.

We found Margueritaville!

2008-05-25T19:17:00.003-04:00

On Saturday morning we set off for our drive to the coast. Most of the distance was spent on a 4 lane divided nearly-empty highway, then the last 100 km or so on a twisty windy road dropping through Sierras to the coast. And, folks, I think we've found paradise! Sayulita is what I think Key West used to be many years ago.

Small fishing village with brightly painted houses, small shops and a beautiful beach with clean water and great waves. First impression was, is this really it? It looks so, er, dumpy. But further on, the town of the touristas reveals itself, not in the glistening style of a Miami, but the laid-back hippy style of the Keys.

The mountains come right down to the sea, and Ray and I have been tucked away in our ocean view casita high up on a mountain side.. Yesterday after negotiating the small cobble stone roads (and I DO mean cobble...not the nice little square pavers in places like Old Philadelphia, but rather stones and are stuck in the roads and plastered together with other stones!) We took the “short walk” down from the casita and along the beach to the town for a short grocery shopping expedition and then dinner on the beach. Red snapper for Ray, simple cheese something-or-other for Cyn. These two tired gringos then walked back up the hill slowly and headed for bed.

We two who've been cozy in our Maine home all winter are really getting a work-out. We walk everywhere and spend the rest of the time relaxing on a beach or by a pool. Tough life, eh?

Patzcuaro a bust

2008-05-24T09:37:00.002-04:00

We didn't enjoy our time in Patzcuaro. We never found the expressway and it was a long drive with many curves and trucks and over-eager drivers. Return trip was much better.

We're back at Casa del Sol in Ajijic and have been socializing with many Americans and Canadians who love living here. Last night was dinner on the lake shore with laid-back rock band. Many hits from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Loggins and Messina, Dylan...with lots of grey haired folks to appreciate it! Grilled shrimp was good too.

Well, I've got to stop now...the sun is making it difficult to see the screen. Not to gloat too much.

We're off today for our drive to Sayulita. Not really looking forward to the drive.

We're here....

2008-05-20T18:40:00.005-04:00

And it's great. Wanted to check back in to know we're enjoying ourselves. Ray has set up our computer by the 77 degree pool and all is well.

Before we leave...

2008-05-18T20:28:00.000-04:00

Just one last post before we leave early tomorrow morning. Thanks, Mom!

We're all packed and ready to go and looking forward to a great trip.

Check back often to see what we're up to, and please leave comments, we'd love to hear from you all.

Cynthia & Ray

Week two: Sayulita on the Pacific Coast

2008-05-18T20:04:00.003-04:00

We're looking forward to some time at the beach.

Day Three: Patzcuaro

2008-05-18T19:35:00.006-04:00

So we'll be staying in Mexico for three weeks instead of just two. In Patzcuaro, we'll be staying in Maison Itube for two nights and exploring the towns around Lake Patzcuaro.

According to the guide book version of history, in the 1500's a priest built a grand cathederal in this small town and and designated each of the 5 tribes of Purepecha indians to develop artisan crafts. So traveling around the lake one can visit the town where they make furniture, another for pottery, yet others for fabrics or copper. In addition, there are several ancient archelogical sites around the lake.

In addition, about 1/2 hour away is Morelia, a university town noted for international chess tournaments.

Trip Plans: Day Two

2008-05-01T11:54:00.005-04:00

We'll be spending two days in Ajijic on Lake Chapala, hopefully wondering around in a picturesque artistic village and meeting up with people who have chosen to live there. This area has one of the largest expat populations in Mexico. Some 10,000 retirees from US and Mexico have made it home. Aside from the beauty and the "eternal spring" weather, it's merely 30 miles from Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest, city and top-notch medical care and, get this...a Walmart!

There are a number of villages along the north shore of the lake: Chapala, Ajijic, San Antonio, and at the western end of the lake, Jocotepec.

D.H. Lawrence, Somerset Maugham, Tennessee Williams and others have resided there from time to time. Looking forward to assessing the situation.

Trip Plans: Day One

2008-04-30T16:57:00.009-04:00

We're flying into Guadajara, then driving to Ajijic, a small town on Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest lake. We'll be staying at the Casa del Sol for two nights. I've met another person from the Chapala discussion board, and we'll be meeting for a meal or coffee. http://www.casadelsolinn.com/index.htm

yet another insurance agent

2008-04-30T16:11:00.002-04:00

And yesterday we spent the afternoon with an intelligent insurance agent who really liked to talk. Though I have to admit, he knew his stuff.

Well, we've made one decision. Ray has gotten his medicare advantage package.

I'm still researching hotels in Mexico.

Insurance....

2008-04-28T13:08:00.000-04:00

We just met with an insurance agent regarding Medicare advantage plans. Nice guy. Sounds like a good idea.

More later

Ray's profile

2008-04-27T17:29:00.000-04:00

1) Cynthia's husband
2) Old retired EE and amateur mathematician.
3) Presently studying Lamm's equation solutions, Convex optimization, System Identification
4) Hoping to do some consulting or find a niche on the Internet doing consulting on Analog design, Signal Processing, Instrumentation front end interfaces, or System Id perhaps; or some such.

I would like to move to someplace with a more casual lifestyle that's interesting; and is cheaper and warmer than Maine. Corfu was nice, but Mexico also seems nice and I at least know the alphabet. Other than wanting to enjoy my surroundings, study mathematics, and not put up with to much silliness; I have very few goals.
My past as a EE is long and checkered. The balance between succeses and mistakes is not good enough to repeat.

Ray

Ah, medicare...

2008-04-27T17:08:00.001-04:00

Ray retired on April 1. When does the special period for signing up for medicare part B end? (Don't even ask...part B?, special period?) Well seems there's a magic time of year when people are supposed to sign up for medicare. Forget that it has no bearing on when people may retire or lose their healthcare at any time of year.

Anyway, that special period ended on March 31, the day before Ray retired. After several phone calls to his former employer, medicare and finally social security, Ray found that he could get a "special" form from Social Security that had to be signed by his former employer then taken to the social security office. He completed all these tasks last week. Thank God he doesn't have to go to work anymore, he'd never have time to sign up for medicare.

Now all we have to do is get him signed up for his Medicare Advantage (or is it Medigap?) plan which requires talking to two insurance agents next week. I think I'll let him figure this one out on his own!

I'm covered by COBRA from Ray's workplace.

Ya' know, even I, the political addict of the family have stopped listening to the campaign coverage. I want it to be over. But one thing's for sure, both Democratic candidates have got it right on healthcare....and that will probably be the only positive thing I say about Hillary for a very long time. Go Obama.

So, welcome to retirement. Now you'll have plenty of time to read government web sites and fill out forms!

And, of course, the next question: Does Medicare cover Ray during our visit to Mexico? Short answer, no. What a country.

Our adventure continues

2008-04-27T16:25:00.000-04:00

We're officially retired...this statement reminds me of that new catchphrase "we're pregnant!" In fact, I've been semi-retired for several years and we've lived on Ray's salary, but two weeks ago Ray finally retired from his job at Idexx Labs in Westbrook, Maine. So now we're ready to move on, or to be more specific, to move south.

After much consultation and reading, we've decided to explore Mexico. We'll be traveling there in May for a whirlwind tour of the central highlands and a few days at the beach.

I'll use this blog to post our travel information and let our family and friends know what we find.