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THE PEOPLE’S GUIDE TO MEXICO FORUMS: CLOSED!!

January 30, 2010 | 8 Comments

Well, we gave it a try but in the end our attempt to maintain discussion forums just didn’t work.  A few days ago we received the email below and as the saying goes, “the nickel dropped”.  Felipe is a long-time reader and supporter of The People’s Guide To Mexico.  We always appreciate suggestions and advice from our readers — and Felipe’s assessment of the situation we’ve faced with these forums strikes us as absolutely accurate.

So… in the next few days, I’ll pull the plug on the forums and dedicate my attention to this blog.  Thanks to all who participated in the forums!

Carl

Carl and Lorena,

I just checked your blog and it appears that you’ve returned. I was beginning to think that you two were, in actuality, a re-incarnation of B. Traven.

You’ve written that you’ve cleaned out the forum and will watch it for valid activity. Your original idea for the forum was timely. There were many fewer options available for online answers to questions about Mexico. Since that time, several forums have reached maturity and are useful tools in getting information on Mexico. One that I participate on is the Lonely Planet Mexico forum. It does perform many of the functions that I think you originally envisioned your forum to do. (Mike Warshauer is an active participant. Until recently, so was Bill Masterson.)

My two cents: Unless you are willing to monitor and work on your forum daily, drop it. You know how much work it is to maintain and unless you can devote a significant amount of time to the forum, I don’t think it will ever be what you want it to be. The Lonely Planet Mexico forum has paid moderators and an IT staff to maintain and update the forum. Those are resources you are never going to have.

I think that focusing on a blog as part of the main website is a good idea. You can add items and pieces when you want - much less pressure. Another possibility would be a periodic newsletter that would assemble pieces you get from readers. (I was a subscriber to the mailed version.) When you assemble enough material, declare it’s time for a newsletter and put it on the site. That way, there’d be no deadline that you would feel obligated to meet. I do think that periodic reader created pieces combined with your personal blog(s) would help to keep the PG site fresh and renewed.

It looks like my two cents expanded to a nickel’s worth of advice . . .

I do hope this finds you both well.

Saludos,

Felipe

The Mexican Border Fence, a Solution?

January 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment

by Rio Guzman

imagesWe are building an incredible new fence along the Mexican border; that means tax payer’s money down the drain.

Mexicans cross the US border illegally in search of work because they don’t earn enough money in their own country to sustain themselves.  I can vouch for that. Is a fence going to stop them?

We have to address the problem not the symptoms. They need a decent minimum wage.  They need schools and libraries. They don’t need a fence; they need a supportive government. If they would have that they wouldn’t even think about the United States; they have a beautiful country and a deep cultural background.

We applauded when the Berlin Wall fell. Are we building another one?

What do you think?


The Eye of the Dragon | Cuernavaca an Excerpt

January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment

by Rio Guzman

The afternoon sun was beginning to cast the giant shadow of evening upon the dusty downtown streets of Cuernavaca. I walked downhill toward the center of town, leaving behind the crowded bus station filled with bawling infants and angry blaring horns. I walked in earnest with the anticipation of the newcomer, welcoming the new sights and smells, the mouth-watering smells emanating from the “carne asada” and onions frying on ambulatory food stands by the street corners.

Without delay I set up residence in an inexpensive downtown hotel. I remember it was about four o’clock. I remember because the moment I entered my room, I dropped my backpack, grabbed my recently made jewelry and rushed out to find a place to sell my wares before the sun set. In a period of about two hours, standing on a street corner, close to the main plaza, I sold every single piece I had. As a result, I had a good dinner that night, the first of many to come.

» keep reading, there is still more »

TAKING MEXICO FLYING

January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment

by John Quinn Olson

Poor Mexico, so far from God,

so close to the United States.

–Porfirio Díaz

Sure the gringo was going to fly. He was looking at five months in Mexico—maybe six—where he would likely get a hundred days or more of great soaring. Who knew the future—maybe he would never return. So, he was going to need some reading material. Plenty to read in fact, and he would have to bring the books himself. Heck, nobody reads anything down there, or so it seemed to the gringo.

That was an exaggeration of course, but there was no doubt books were more easily found in Gringolandia, that bookstores were rare in Mexico and that libraries, well… Walter had never visited a public library in all of Mexico. Maybe there were lending libraries in Mexico, but not like in the States. In fact, about all the flier had ever seen for reading material in Mexico were the daily newspapers and those silly comic books you saw the peasants reading.

He swung his pickup off the street and into the parking lot at Title Wave Books in Tucson, Arizona. This was his last chance to load up on books, and since they were all used books he could really go wild and spend very little. He was hoping to add to his collection of Mexico books and books on Mexico that he was forever hauling around. He loved the idea of going flying in Mexico with Mexico books.

» keep reading, there is still more »

I’m back… I think?

January 13, 2010 | Leave a Comment

I apologize for the long absence but 2009 was a chaotic year for me.  As you may have noticed, the long-awaited discussion forums have been totally trashed by spam, so I’ll probably just pull the plug on those and concentrate, hopefully, on keeping this blog more up-to-date.

saludos!

Carl

Summering in Mexico

December 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

Since we live in sunny Arizona, my wife and I are looking for locations with at least relatively cool climates to get away from our very toasty temperatures from May to October during the summer.  Can anyone suggest places in Mexico’s highlands where we might get some respite?  It’s hard for us to be gone more than three weeks at a time because of medical and other commitments, so is there anyplace within three to five days moderate driving which might be a possibility?  We’re on a fairly restricted income (retirees) so we’re not really interested in “touristy” places or shopping (other than supplies), just comfortable places to hang out.  Thanks for any recommendations or suggestions. 

Jim & Cheryl Givens  (xviiiaman@earthlink.net)

ATMs

October 13, 2009 | 3 Comments

Any suggestions for a bank in the U.S. which has a sister bank in Mexico? We are hoping to save on those expensive withdrawal fees!

Atlanta to La Paz

September 28, 2009 | 1 Comment

Hello…we need help! My husband and I are heading out for a 4 month stay in La Paz, B.C. Sur. We leave Atlanta, GA on Jan.1st driving with our 2 dogs and cat. Any advice on the safest driving route once we cross into Mexico? Our plan is to enter Mexico through El Paso and drive to the Baja Ferry…Topolobampo terminal, Los Mochis.
Thanks, Karen

Like Water For Chocolate (Movie)

July 27, 2009 | 1 Comment

Hi I recently seen this movie in my film class, my family is from mexico, I always have heard things passed on to me, in mexico who knows if any of these magical realism are really still passed on like in this movie if you have seen this. Just wondering. I hear it all the time hear in the U.S. about the medicines from the grandparents when they were alive, but anything like this movie?

Coastal Road Progress

June 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Can anyone comment on how far along the coastal road has progressed from the American border.  The last word I got was they’ve entered Liberty Cove.  Any further comments on how this will impact the Sonoran region of Mexico when the  highway is completed down to Guaymas.

Chapla or Ajijic

May 11, 2009 | 1 Comment

Hi all, my wife and i would like to move to Chapla or Ajijic, Looking for a 2b2b house with a small yea rd any idea what this would cost a month? We well be going down in Jun to look but don’t know who to talk to when we get there. Anything you know would help. Thank you Ron.

More on safety in Mexico

April 10, 2009 | 2 Comments

I am just back from Mexico and once again, it is frustrating that there is so much stirring about the security situation there. Obviously there is an issue in the border towns and some other isolated incidents.

I certainly have an interest in keeping our Authentic Copper Canyon guests safe…it just seems that the whole country has been characterized as out of control and that is so far from true
What I have found in-country is that locals agree that things are more secure than a year ago.
Muy tranquilo…
nov08copper-059

Dave Hensleigh

Mexico Decapitation Tour

April 3, 2009 | 2 Comments

Hey gringos,
I spent last night in a truck stop in Culiacan, Sinaloa, home of the baddest Mexico drug cartels. I tossed a few ballenas with some camioneros there and asked ‘em if they thought I would survive the night or were they gonna lop my head off and they chuckled over that. Obviously, I survived though and I really think I’m on to something. Now I’m headed for Juarez and then I think TJ and find me a truck stop there too, sort of the Worst of Mexico Tour, get it over with once and for all. What the Hell, I figure I’ve already seen the best, now I’ll visit the rest!
I’ll attach a photo of my favorite Mexican decapitee of all times- el Indio Alonzo, notorious bandito from Colima. Alonzo was apparently double-crossed by his se~nora.
Buen viaje!
Juan Olson
www.TalesFromTheWildBlueYonder.com
cabezadelindioalonso

Mobile Clinic for expats, part and full time visitors to start in Sonora

April 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Hello, my name is John Diaz. I am deeply involved in the medical community here in Hermosillo.  Last year I thought of idea to have a mobile clinic here in Sonora for seaside towns to give basic medical care and testing with English speaking certified doctors from Hermosillo at no or very little cost to our part and full time visitors. Like any idea, it was just and idea. Early this year a heard about a couple that went back to Northern California because the husband wasn’t feeling too good. When they got back home they found out it was really nothing, thus ending the time that they love to spend on the sea of cortes. When I heard about this, I said to myself “ok that’s it” I must go ahead with the mobile clinic. I spoke with several specialists in Hermosillo that thought it was a great idea, and told me to continue. Which brings me to to you. I would like to know how we can take the next step and make this clinic a reality. Being in its initial stages, input from you would be great. I have a little write up on my website www.gomexicomedical.com in “giving back”. Please let me know your thoughts.

GPS In Mexico

March 25, 2009 | 2 Comments

By Mark Walker:  Originally published May, 08, at The People’s Guide to Mexico , our main website:

You might ask: why do I need a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver? Well, if you have to go into Guadalajara for a doctor’s appointment, it will make the trip less stressful and faster to have a device that speaks the names of the streets and instructs you in advance where to turn. » keep reading, there is still more »

Selling Property in Mexico/Yucatan

March 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’ve lived in Valladolid, Yucatan for much of the last year. Retired and renting - tourist visa, so far. I have found a small house here possibly to buy. My question is: If I do buy it, can I sell it to a American in the States? I want to live in it, but I’m worried that if something happens with my health » keep reading, there is still more »

living in Mexico?

March 19, 2009 | 1 Comment

Looking at coming to Mexico mid 2009 to teach english and enjoy the lifestyle that this will afford but am worried re the economy?  how is the financial crises affecting the work, esp teaching, in Mexico and is it becoming more expensive as a result?

Many thanks, Matt

Carl’s comment:  Matt, I’ve copied your questions to the Talk About Mexico forum, “Please Introduce Yourself”.

CHEPE schedule changes

March 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Dave Hensleigh, authenticcoppercanyon.com

The train changed schedule in Copper Canyon about 12 days ago. Primero stayed the same but segundo changed:
> -It goes Chi to Mochis on Thurs
> -Mochis to Chi Fri
> -Chi to Mochis Sat
> -Mochis to Chi Sun
> -Chi to Mochis Mon
> -Mochis to Chi Tues
> -WED NO SEGUNDO!
Then I was on the phone Saturday to my friend Erasmo in El Fuerte and he said the segundo is going to be stopped for awhile. I will get the lowdown when I am there the next few days.

Some Thoughts on Living Immersed in Mexican Culture

March 17, 2009 | 2 Comments

by Steve Crofter

More Than Tourists

There are many reasons norteamericanos move to Mexico. A few of the reasons, such as a favorable climate or a lower cost of living, have little to do with the love of Mexican culture. But I believe that most Canadians and USers who choose to live in Mexico, do so because they want to be at least somewhat involved with Mexicans and their culture. For many of us there is a definite appeal in experiencing Mexico relatively unadulterated by our own culture’s influence. The trick is to figure out the right balance between clinging to one’s native culture or abandoning it. » keep reading, there is still more »

Living Lake Chapala

March 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

hey guys i just read that article on basaseachic water fall. where is it exactly? any information would be appreciated. Lake Chapala Real Estate you can get back to me there …. thank you very much.

Carl replies:  Since this is your first post here I’m going to try to avoid being cranky but…. as I said in my post about using the forums, that is the place to post your questions — and that is the place where you can expect me to “get back to you”.  Sorry, but I just don’t have the time or energy to track you down at another website.  The reason this blog and forums exist, in fact, is so that I can easily respond to questions here, on my own website. 

OK, so I did get cranky after all.  :)   But, please take the time to read about using the forum, post your questions there and last but not least, please do sign your post with a name, even if it isn’t your real one.  

saludos!  Carl


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