Oh, Mexico!

Hello!

What a beautiful journey you have shared, thank you. It sounds like it has not been without its ups and downs, but has grown you as an individual and as a mate to your husband.

Mexico, like most countries, has both positive and negative traits. You have 'painted' a clear picture of each, in your writing .

Congratulations on the ability to hold your own in a different language! That is a commendable accoplishment.

Your volunteer work sounds very rewarding. Children are a joy to be around.

Is it warm year round where you reside ?

God Bless, and thanks for this post :o)
Jennifer

I've enjoyed this piece more than any I've read in a long time here at TH. Thanks Dawn. The kidnappings occuring near the borders gives me pause and concern, do you have any experiences about that aspect of Mexican culture? Thanks for sharing, good job.

Thanks for your visit and your kind words! We live in the mountains, about 8200 ft. This time of year the temperatures range anywhere from 40 to 80 degrees! You`re warm in the sunshine and cold in the shade! This is the dry season. The rainy season starts, hopefully, in June through September. I love the children! They range in ages from 7 to 12. The older boys are the most serious about learning English, the girls just giggle. They are very happy for the most part, always smiling. And yes, it has been a beautiful journey! I have learned so much ....

Thank you for that very nice compliment. It is my pleasure to share some of my experiences with you.

My understanding of the kidnappings is they are usually for retribution or extortion and the people are targeted. Many wealthy people have security, but I would have doubts to their loyalty! As expats, we do not fit the profile, don`t drive at night and don`t do anything illegal to call attention to ourselves. Our landlords drive a small luxury car and every time they take off, my heart goes into my throat until they come back! The dangers don`t seem to concern them.

The border towns are another story. I read today that a number of police officers have been fired in Tijuana again. Also, in Cancun, two police officals and a civilian were ambushed in an SUV. It is a Civil War. I hope the good guys win!

Wow, sounds like you've had quite the adventure.

I used to live in Seattle, and a friend's father lived on a yacht. Every year, he would take off for a trip down the coast and be gone for weeks. The last I heard, he had decided to take off for Hawaii on his yacht. Never did hear what happened with that trip.

Have you done much travel around Mexico?

What stands out for me relative to your adventure thus far is the gratitude of the children and their willingness to share with others. I had a tear just reading your account.

Please continue to be circumspect. Shoot, we need your blog posts!

Thanks for stopping in! Small world that we are both from Seattle!! I do miss Mt. Rainier and Taco Time! Really, I do! Loved the crispy tacos for 99 cents! Sailing to Hawaii takes about three weeks I think, and it`s such a big ocean! You get lonely out there, even with a crew and there is NO escape! Yes, I have traveled quite a bit in Mexico. Mostly on the west side, down to Oaxaca and then as far east as Veracruz. It is a beautiful country with wonderful people despite the horrors that are happening here.

Yes, the story of the children sharing the cake still makes me cry, too. That was about 12 years ago! Many of them could be married by now and have their own children in school! Wow! Thank you for very kind remarks, Mrs. AL!

Some good lessons in there about the difference between the two countries' government, people, and sense of nationalism.

Too many Americans are dreadfully naive about the way Mexicans view us, and dead-wrong when it comes to the idea of unrestrained immigration and welfare-for-everyone.

On the drug-war front, I say:

JUST SAY NO TO PROHIBITION

For the life of me, I can't understand how people and govts can so blindly overlook the ONE solution that would make the "drug-wars" disappear almost overnight: LEGALIZATION.

Legalize it, and there is ZERO incentive for a black market to exist. Think about all the abject WASTE involved in this idiotic "war"! Police resources dedicated to attmpting to prevent people from recreational drug use...gangs and drug lords created by the ban...addicts treated as criminals instead of sick people...jails/prisons full of people who didn't harm anyone...lost tax revenue due to the underground nature of illicit drugs...landowners deprived of the right to use their own property to grow the crops of their choice...

How many lives have needlessly been destroyed, how much property confiscated, how much violation of privacy, how much lost revenue, how big a strain on the taxpayer [funding drug-war police, prisons, and parol systems], how much meddling in other countries [at taxpayer expense] has this ill-conceived and evil "war" caused?

It is simply unbelievable, today, that people put up with--and even SUPPORT--this idiocy and excuse for Big Govt.

Welcome to Cheeky Monkey! Your comparison of Prohibition to the current drug war is spot on!

It is ridiculous to lock up college kids with hardcore prisoners because they were "caught" with some weed to have felony drug possession on their records. Look at Michael Phelps, he is the "poster boy" for a new attitude. PBHO admits to have used marijuana and "blow when he could afford it" in the past.

In some states in the US, medical marijuana has been legalized. However, that still leaves heroin, cocaine, meth and other synthetic drugs that are more harmful and dangerous. How would they be regulated, dispensed?

Something radical needs to be done and soon. You would think the government would jump on the opportunity to create a whole new bureaucracy! There can be no doubt it would be easier to legalize drugs than to change the culture to just say no! Thanks for your insightful comments, Ron Paul Was Right!

seen the benefits of "Medical Marijuana" legislation. I think its a little silly that it has had to have been couched in that term, but its a step in the righ direction.

I'm pretty hardcore follower of libertarianism/Austrian Economics, so I'd like to see outright legalization (of everything) and little-to-no govt regulation (outside of courts enforcing property/individual rights).

In reality, it would be more realistic to gradually legalize "softer" drugs like pot first and then, hopefully, move on to others.

I don't think the "harder" drugs would be a source of problems any more than alcohol currently is. I just think there is a certain % of people who have addictive personalities, and those who will make mistakes and/or abuse freedom. These aren't reasons enough to create vast police apparatus and waste precious resources on a "drug-war".

Like you said, the very fact that a potentially lucrative tax money-maker is being neglected is suprising.

on a Greek island. Preferably Chios or Lesbos. I wish some Mexicans who come here had your attitude of assimilation that you do. I'd be the same way. Gotta at least learn the basics of the language. Got a new post up. Second installment of my presidential blogs. BTW, I'm jealous of you. It's probably close to 80 there. It was 0 this morning here. BRRR!

Your logic would make Spock proud! Equating illegal drug use (heroin, meth, cocaine) with alcoholism is a good argument. There is rampant prescription drug abuse, too. I guess it could all come together under the soon-to-be Universal Health Care mandate. A heroin fix one day, a shot of methadone the next, all under the guise of socialized medicine. Now, if they would only let the private sector take the lead. Haha! Fat chance!

Well, surprise to you! It is about 45 degrees in the shade outside with winds out of the north. I am wearing (what am I typing?!?) sweats, leggings, two pairs of socks, slippers and fingerless gloves. Of course, the house is adobe so it is the same inside as outside. We do have gas heaters but we only put them on at night. Not nearly as cold as where you are though. What are you wearing??! bad dawndawn!

I have never been to Greece but love the food, especially the Giros and, of course, Ouzo!

I love Mexico. I used to go down there all the time but I'm afraid to these days. My mistake-laden Spanish is always greeted as an attempt at good manners and people are very friendly. It is also one of the great food countries of the world. Away from the tourista restaurants are some amazing little local places that are as good as anything in France.
Calderon gets a lot of insults from people who are angered by the immigration debate but he is a courageous man and deserves some respect. The mexicans almost chose someone infinitely worse.

Que gusto a verte! Don`t be afraid to come to Mexico! You can get into as much trouble in any bad bar in the wrong `hood in the US or even Chucky Cheese! You are so right about the food! My personal favorite is Chiles en Nogada! A poblano chile, stuffed with nuts and meat, covered with a nut sauce and garnished with pomegranite seeds! Pozole is also so very good. What time do we eat?

You know the real deal - MYmike

Please do not ever get close to the tri-state borders of Tx, Az, NM when the M13 gangs are firing off their Stingers, AK47's. I pray for your safety. But, with all the cultural niceties that you mentioned, I am afraid that Prez Calderon will have a revolution on his hand and any American living there will be taken out by the Drug lords. I suggest you google this and take a look. Thanks for stopping by too.

Welcome to Cheeky Monkey! Thank you for that compliment! Your blog is new to me but I believe we have something in common! I look forward to reading more from you!

It's funny you posted this because I put in a job application for Border Patrol. I love Immigrants, but for the illegal ones I'd wish they would follow protocol to become a U.S. Citizen, one of the greatest privileges to many in this world! (in my belief) I hope to contribute to catching these drug runners who cause trouble to locals and ranchers. I also want our country safe, I graduated with a B.S. Degree this last May, so I'm almost a year out of college.

It's also weird because I'm getting Married in July and am going on a 4 day Baja cruise on Carnival. I'll be going to Ensanada. Can't wait.

You know your post was really great! Keep up the good work! God bless ya.

None of us knows what will happen in the future. Violence knows no boundaries! The cartels are extremely ruthless but they are not infallible. I believe the US will not allow Mexico to become another narco state like Afghanistan and will lend a strong military hand to protect Mexico`s sovereignty.

However, there could very well be a revolution. The majority of the Mexican people only want peace and to live their lives. So far, we are not afraid of the violence because we have not been exposed to it as we are not near the border. There is no simple answer to wipe out the scourge of illicit drugs and the lure of so much money. Sitting in our home tonight, I feel as safe as I would if I were in Philadelphia, Oakland, Detroit, Seattle or so many other cities that are held hostage to crime.

Thank you for your comments and your sincere concern for our safety, RacKoons! Que sera, sera!

Welcome to Cheeky Monkey! Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and good luck in your quest to become a Border Control Agent. Should you be called to serve, please remember the people who put their lives in the hands of the coyotes to sneak across the border are frightened and ignorant. So much has been written about their plights and most of it is probably true, but these dear souls have been doomed because they are uneducated! My understanding is that for a Mexican national to visit the US, he must own land in Mexico and have income. The door has been closed for legal immigration from Mexico for quite a while.

With the recession/depression, all immigration into the US should stop. It sticks in my craw that Cubans have a wet foot/dry foot policy, those from the middle east have carte blanche to enter and the Mexicans die and/or are extorted on their way into the land of what used to be plenty. I don`t have the answer, Erik! Thanks for your visit and your comments!

Wow - great life story that you have. It was a very interesting read. Sorry, it took so long to get over to read it. I printed it out and finally got to read it.

Makes me want to move. I just want to live in a semi-normal state. Not asking for too much. But, CA is just going down the tubes. And we still do not have a budget! Shocking! Not really.

Are you ever going to post pictures of where you live? It sounds very pretty. What a range in temperatures you have up there!

Nice post!

to prescription drugs, as well--including death.

Don't even get me started on the forced medication of young children in the govt schools!

It is funny, in a way, that MD's have--in effect--been granted a monopoly-like power to push govt-approved drugs (again, many of which have proven to be quite harmful) while punishing those outside the "system".

Doctors who peddle drugs=outstanding citizens

Others who do same=criminals

Thank you so much for sharing since I can only relate to Mexico in a relatively negative fashion.
The last time I was there, I got into trouble for walking along the beach in Mazatlan and was incarcerated for several hours. Of course Mazatlan only had two bars, a church and a few houses ,and no actual pier when I was there so it has changed a bit....

I wish you could escape, too! It is so sad to see what is happening in California and most of the blame can be laid at the feet of the LIBS!

My friend is going to come over soon and teach me how to post photos! That jpg thing really gets me! Thanks for stopping by, Chicalita!

You hit the nail on the head with that one! Ritalin prescribed for children/adolescents with ADD! Spoiled parents and brats, I suppose. I have even read on the internet that people can give their dogs, their family pets, Prozac! That is another good thing about Mexico, no one here knows what ADD is. A good cure for the medicated masses could be hard work in the outdoors!

You would not recognize Mazatlan now. We are happy we left there though because way too many people and too little infrastructure, like potable water! Too bad you had such a horrendous and frightening experience. A Mexican jail! Makes me shudder to think about it! At least they let you out! Under Napoleanic Law, you could have been lost forever!

This state is just going down the tubes each day. If I see Boxer one more time on the tv, I am going to scream. She needs to go. Okay, Feinstein is bad, but Boxer is worse.

I sent in my state tax returns. Am I getting the IOU? Or just a cross your finger and maybe you will get it! :)

Babs Boxer, Di Fi, Waxine Maters and the Sanchez Sisters! You got them all in CA! You pay federal income taxes, state income taxes, gas tax, and sales taxes? Where is Errol Flynn when you need him!

You're to be commended to have the gumption to do what you did - takes cajones (figuratively, of course)! While my Mexico experiences consist of several border town visits and a week in Monterrey several years ago, I do have a soft spot in my heart for the Mexican people. I even understand why the illegals come here - I would too - But, I still want the borders closed and the illegal immigration stopped. I'll bet when you set sail from Seattle the last thing you thought you'd find was a mate - and not a first mate - a soul mate! Thanks for letting us know you a little better.

and I didn't even ask! What a good woman. I love the gyros too. Love the souvlaki as well, but eat that during the summer. More summery food to me. Can't drink ouzo anymore due to my kidney problems, but that is some yummy stuff. Spanakopita is good stuff too.

I'm struck by what people will adjust to and accept. In your case (no offense intended at all, I'm impressed..) you've accepted a life where you cannot leave your home at night. How long till our society here begins to change in that direction....

You haven`t seen the best of Mexico! The border towns have always been rough and tumble and now they are flat out deadly. The borders should be closed. Most of the people who put their lives and sell their souls to the coyotes, are ignorant and frightened, ripe for exploitation. Now with the recession, all immigration should be put on hold! Thanks for your visit, and yes, I did find my soul mate. And he`s a capitalist! Haha. Thanks for your visit, Garnet!

You`re making me blush! Hahaha. You`ve also made me really hungry for some Greek food!

No offense taken at all! The plusses definitely outweigh the minuses here. I sent an email to our landlords, they live next door, regarding the "implosion of the Mexican gov`t" and the following is her reply:

"First of all, yes, these are difficult times. What happened in the past, is that corrupt governments "made pacts" with organized crime.
They granted territories to exploit, trading drugs, prostitution, etc.
Now that things have changed, our president is battling them with everything. And I mean, everything.
This war is costing many lives of honest public officials. The members of the many cartels in Mexico are killing each other like flies, (doing a great favor to this country.)
But at the same time, they have murdered militars, police officers, majors, etc.
We can not deny the difficulties we are experiencing, but to "clean the house" is taking a tremendous effort."

"Other places are not better, unfortunately. We are all inmerse in a world that has left God totally out of the picture, with the consecuent loss of family and social values.
On the other hand, the wealth involved or related with the drug dealing turn men into monsters who have no regard for their own lives, much less for other`s..
Our government is stable and has all the support from the military in his quest for a better and safer country.
Have no fear, pray for your family and friends and above all, trust God`s mercy."

She also sent me something in Spanish about Sheriff Arpaio that I have been working on translating. It appears many Mexicans admire what he has done and believe Mexican prisons should adopt some of his procedures. Reading Spanish is very difficult because the writing is so formal. Thanks for stopping in again!

Well, aren't I special? Look at all the lovely people that are from CA! Super! I keep trying to block a few of them out of my head. Okay, all of them.

Yes, who could forget the Sanchez sisters. And of course Linda Sanchez is the first, I do believe, pregnant and unmarried member of Congress.

We pay taxes for waving at our neighbors! In certain cities, we have the city taxes and of course mella roos. Oh we just rock our here!

By the way, global warming has set in, it is pouring rain. I guess the ice age is coming soon!

I forgot one, Potato Head! How could anyone forget Nnnnnnnannnnceee! Stretch! Oh well, you are suffering enough. Since you get taxed for waving at your neighbors, soon the internet tax will be in high gear to keep people silent and off the blogs. Saw the boy wonder`s presser and he called on someone from the HuffPost! I don`t go to that website and if I click on something that takes me there, I won`t read it.

Good to know it is raining in California! You need it!

I have to say I envy you. I had all my life I had planned to retire to a sailboat and travel the Carribean and Baja. I'm not sure I could have settled in Mexico though. But I'm sure that is fulfilling and your rewards are to your own heart. I envy that also!

Hey, wait a minute, you're a conservative! All conservatives are greedy and have no heart! You can't be doing volunteer work!

Liberals talk about helping, Conservatives really do!

Thanks for dropping by Cheeky Monkey and for your very kind remarks. The Carribean is beautiful! I have been to Jamaica but not on a sail boat. They have great food, like the jerk pork and jerk chicken! Red rice and beans. Excellent!

I often read your posts, it was interesting to hear about your life's choices...a road less traveled can reveal beauty.

I've always believed that Latin-Americans are more like American conservatives than not.

The Story about the cake was sweet but not surprising to me...My 70 year old mother has been traveling throughout the world as a missionary for the last 15 years or so and before every trip she loads up on goodies. The stories she tells about the children are similar to yours. they are polite, humble and always appreciative. Thanks for the interesting story.

Good to see you here! You are correct the Latin American people are very much like conservatives, especially when it concerns abortion. My husband and I have often remarked that some of the spoiled kids north of the border, should come to Mexico and learn the values of hard work and family. Especially those that have ADD, it does not exist here in Mexico. God bless your mother for all the good work she is doing with the missionary and children. And it is so good to know you are back on the blogs! Will be by to see what you`re up to!

Still there after recent events? Do you travel with bodyguards? Do you travel at all? And yes, Immigration is enforced in all of South America it to my experience. Why we have such a problem is just the insanity of the PC world we subject ourselves to here. I would prefer Costa Rica or Panama.
Cheers,
Mike

Si! We are still here and have no plans to move! No! We don`t travel with body guards! Hahaha! We recently went to the beach at Zihautenejo, about a four hour drive from here. Very nice but there has been violence there recently. The Drug War cannot be won conventionally. Diplomacy and a carrot and stick approach won`t work either! Either legalize drugs and regulate them, or napalm the poppy fields, etc.!

Never been to Costa Rica or Panama. My understanding is Costa Rica has been "discovered". Thanks for dropping by, NY Mike!