Question: I saw on TV that Mexico ranks 10th in the world among happy countries. Are Mexicans that happy? Answer: I am often surprised but most Mexicans I know seem happy, even under difficult conditions. There are at least two possible explanations. The value system is different from many places, the United States, Japan and Germany, for […]
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Question: It is income tax time in the United States. How are taxes in Mexico? Answer: It depends on who you ask. I think property taxes are ridiculously low but services are a close match. I thought the annual tax on my Volkswagen was disproportionately high but the bug is now 14 years old and taxes are […]
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MexConnect readers, a priceless lot, ask occasional questions via e-mail. They receive sincere efforts at answers. Some exchanges have the potential to interest others. You’ll know shortly whether they interest you. Question: Is there any good news in Mexico? Answer 1: Of course there is. Mangos are ripening and the price per kilo has dropped […]
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Snowbirds are landing in our exciting little corner of Mexico. Merchants say none too soon. We, the Wests, enjoy Christmas at Thanksgiving with our extended family in Tennessee. When the last guest goes home, we follow them out the door, in the general direction of Jocotepec, at the west end (naturally) of Lake Chapala, in […]
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This is a simple story about a tope and a seat belt. I am an advocate of slowing to almost a stop when speed bumps appear high enough to scar mufflers and rattle dental repairs. I believe in seat belts. At my age, I need all the stability I can get. That said, many topes have come and gone […]
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I repeat: Contrary to rumor, many years and extensive travels in Mexico do not qualify me as a know-it-all, A-1 infallible expert. I apologize if I have faked you out. I do try to answer all questions or redirect them to more knowledgeable sources. I thoroughly enjoy most exchanges with readers. I offer a few […]
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The format for “Ask an old gringo” is simple enough: Answer questions from Mexconnect readers if I think I know what I am talking about, and save some that might be of general interest to share with all of you. * * * * *Question: Who is/was Octavio Paz and what is the meaning of […]
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Washing Dishes in the Ancient Village / Lavando platos en el antiguo pueblo is a collection of one-hundred short poems about Mexico and Latin America. Because I wrote this book, I do not intend to review it here but rather to recount some of the experiences I had while writing this little book. I have been […]
Continue ReadingMoving to Mexico isn’t a matter of simply relocating to another country with your belongings. No indeedy. Of the many experiences you will have south of the border, the most emphatic will be Cultural Shock. Here are nine suggested steps toward complete recovery from this unavoidable condition: Having lived either full- or part-time in Mexico […]
Continue Reading“Be careful what you wish for,” they say, “you might get it.” That may be true most of the time, but not this time. My son has given me what I wished for — he just married a Mexican girl! Keiko was born and raised in Mexico City to Japanese and Mexican parents. She was […]
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