The Mexican Experience

The other night, we decided to go to the Bucerias Mexico town square to find a red cowboy hat for Breanna, as she had to dress up for an International Expo at Colegio Bucerias. Of course, we met many tourists while eating a fresh Churro (a Mexican version of the Beaver Tail but costs only $0.30) and spoke to a few of the local shop owners. All the while, my dad was standing on the corner watching a bunch of Mariachis playing just outside a house. They had a big table on the street and guests...looked like a party. Next time I look back, my dad is sitting down with the locals right in front of the show. A few people came and talked to him. Now I'm thinking they are saying: "Hey gringo, this is a private party!" Turns out, my dad was standing on the corner and the Grandfather got his son to invite my dad to sit down since he looked interested in the music. A few introduced themselves, and next thing you know, it was announced that the next song was going to be dedicated and picked by my dad. My dad was not sure what to pick so they dedicated the song Pancho Villa to him, because of course my dad looks like a Mexican Revolutionary! He was offered but declined drinks and to have supper with the family. We all left the town square, but he returned there with my mom to catch the last few songs of the night. This is the culture of the Mexicans. I had a similar experience here on our street. Ryan went to take care of the puppies down the street, at the founders of P.E.A.C.E. (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture and Environment) and when I went down to check up on him, I passed a little pickup with some of the friends of the organization. They were taking a much needed day off. Wendy was off with Molly horseback ridding. I was invited by the boys to try a cracker with a spoonfull of a mix of shrimp, green chili and cucumber. Wow...that tasted yummy...but a little hot. So they offered me a Cerveza (Pacifico). I ended up spending a good part of the afternoon hanging around, having a few Cervezas, shrimp, and talking. The neighbor showed us this weird fruit which I am pretty sure is the Durian, and I was able to taste it. It smells pretty overpowering, but it tastes like a mixture of banana, mango and melon. There is this weird liquid that is very sticky, so preparing the fruit is not very pleasant...but I froze it and use it in smoothies. So, we have a lot to learn about hospitality from complete strangers.

The TelMex experience. I requested a phone line on November 22, 2007. It was installed last week (around the 6th of March 2008). So, the first time I went, I signed up, got my order paper and was told that within a week or two, I would have my phone line and Internet. Of course...friends told me more like 8 weeks, unless you find a TelMex guy in your neighborhood and flash a 100 pesos in front of his windshield. But...I don't like encouraging bribery to get something done. A few weeks later...I returned and they could not find me in the computer! Did they spell my name wrong? A few days later, I returned and progress...I had an order number! This was sometime in January. February goes by...no news. March comes around...and it was time to make another visit to TelMex. They type my order number and (drum roll please!)...my order has been cancelled. Apparently someone went to my place and no one was there (the owners are here 24/7) so they cancelled the order. Nice. Thanks for telling me. This happenned to my neighbor also...so don't believe everything they tell you. They asked me if I still wanted it...h*ll yeah! This time...I got a number...a phone number to go with my order! Progess. Two days later...they installed my phone line. The installer told me to call TelMex to order the Internet, which I did. After being passed around till I got someone who spoke English, I was told that I had to wait till I got my first phone bill before ordering the high speed...so at least 30 days. Never believe what they say. I went back to TelMex, got my modem and was told that it would be active in 48 hours. 48 hours VS 30 days. What did I learn? With TelMex, you have to ask for something at least 3 times and if you speak to 3 different people...you will get three different answers.

But, today I went to lunch with Wendy on the beach and had the Ultimate Biffer (it's a burger) with the best french fries in Bucerias (Biff's Beach Restaurant and Surf Shop) and a cerveza looking at the waves. Kind of puts all this TelMex stuff in perspective.

So when you get frustrated, or disapointed with something in Mexico...go to the beach, have some comfort food and beer...and it all goes away!

This week we also went for our FM3 form...which will allow us to keep the truck in the country for more than 6 months...so I'm 1/2 mexican!