When we arrived, we got into a well-worn hatchback Nissan cab, driven by an older woman, to our first house in Mexico. She drove like all the locals …fast and furious, honking at each intersection to announce her presence, and avoid being hit. We arrived at our casita to begin our sojourn.

What Have We Learned?

Over these two years we have reveled in the experiences this country has to offer. Before we shopped at the local markets, we learned (and wrote down…just in case) the words for all the vegetables, fruits and foods we needed, and watched as the vendors smiled in amusement at our strange accents. The markets are an amazing combination of sights, sound and smell; people loudly hawking their wares, while others sit silently against the wall waiting for people to buy. The people are such combinations of features, too. You can readily see the Indian, Spanish and Cuban influences.

Some of the things I have noticed over our time here: Mexicans can be Italian, Chinese or Irish. I don’t know why I never thought of that before, but it made me understand my ignorance! Other cultural things: Shoe stores seem to be a very big business. Women still wear high heels, no matter if they are walking the steep streets of colonial Xalapa, Veracruz, or the flat streets of the Yucatan. Every taxi and bus has a rosary or two hanging on the mirror, and the drivers make the sign of the cross when they pass a church or cemetery.

About The People

People in Mexico are much more patient with foreigners than Americans are. They try to help at every turn, have ready smiles and love their children. Families spend time together, and you see grandmas, grandpas and children holding hands, talking and walking together.

People work very hard in Mexico. Concrete block is the norm for building, and power tools are not a common sight. When you see men build, they build walls first, and then cut out channels for the plumbing lines and electricity wires. They work twelve hours a day, and make about $40 a week. Many of the young women work in service, cleaning, washing clothes, and taking care of other people’s children. Just about every middle-class (and above) Mexican home has “help” and you will find one or two young women working there. Often they are just teenagers, and they are hired from surrounding villages where young girls are trained to cook, clean and care for children. When they are ready to marry and have their own children, they will find a replacement for themselves, from friends or family members back in the village.

Folks seem to eat out a lot, as the costs are so reasonable. During the day, little restaurants (referred to as a cocina economica…”economical kitchen”) open up for a couple of hours to serve lunch for about $2. Workers flock there during siesta time, when most offices and business close down. Your choice of fresh fish, chicken, meat and vegetables are served, along with rice, tortillas, a cold drink and dessert. In the evenings, street vendors open up their portable food wagons after 7 or 8 p.m. so people can have their late-night snacks. You will find pork sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, and ears of corn for sale on just about every corner, along with lots of Coca Cola. If you want to eat healthy, stay away from the street vendors!

Culture

Mexico is full of culture. The symphonies and museums in the large cities have great attendance, and are affordable for everyone (we pay about $4 for a ticket to each). Most museums, galleries and cultural venues are open to the public for free on Sundays as well. The archeological sites are flooded with tourists and locals alike.   It is a humbling experience to stand at an ancient ruin and realize that the people of that day built structures that are still standing 2000 years later…and that defy explanation of how they were built. They knew the exacting sciences of building pyramids on compass points, so that the sun shone in alignment with certain spots that would tell them it was time for planting and harvesting. And they decorated them with intricate pictures and symbols before iron tools were available.

We have learned so much from our research and experiences that we have formed a website (www.mexicoanswers.com) which answers many questions about moving to and living in Mexico. It took many months of research before we came, and we discovered that there was very little practical information offered on the internet, and so we decided to put it together for curious travelers seeking first-hand information.

A Much Simpler Way Of Life

Over all, it is amazing to see how simply life can be lived. We have experienced what it is like to live without a telephone…(not as difficult as I thought), not having hot water in the kitchen for washing dishes, living without voice mail, call forwarding or cell phones.  If we can’t find foods we are used to, we get used to the foods we can find! We don’t have mail delivery, and there are no mail boxes on the corners. If we want to receive mail, we go to the post office and register. Stamps are very expensive, and the local mailing charge is 60 cents. Stamps for air mail are 90 cents.

We have seen neighborhoods where people live without electricity, running water, indoor kitchens or even indoor plumbing. And they are not cranky, don’t feel poor, and seem to live a sensible life.

The Best Of All Worlds

The last year and a half we have lived on the ocean, and have traded a city life for the slow pace of a fishing village. Our bus ride to Progreso was 14 hours in a van with three young men who were our movers. Now, we watch gulls and pelicans search for lunch and dinner in the Gulf in front of our home, we watch people on horseback ride on the beach, and sandal-less tourists stroll the shore, combing the sand for shells. But we are within 30 minutes of Merida, where we can find anything we need. We can go to the movies, shop at Costco, Wal-Mart or eat at McDonald’s if we choose. We have been spoiled by having internet and satellite T.V. in our home. We haven’t been looking for a “spartan” existence, just a bit simpler one!

Our travels have taken us to ancient Mayan ruins, the shores of the Caribbean, small towns so far removed from modern-day things that you forget it is 2005. Maybe they have the right idea…we seem to see many old people, so obviously the slower pace has kept people living longer and healthier. Whatever their secret, we like it and intend to stay a while longer…we have moved to a new sense.

The following are Jan's previous articles for the magazine:

• Why Xalapa? ~ From Chicago To Mexico
• Progreso And Merida, Yucatan ~ In Mexico