The Goot Blog

It dawned on me (Karen) the other day that there are a couple of questions that keep recurring and maybe it would be a good idea to try to answer them here.... It also dawned on me that sometimes I find myself asking these same questions of and maybe if I write them out it will help me to understand. (If you think of others, let me know.)

1. Why did we move to Mexico?
Answers (in no particular order):

• Low cost of living so we don't have to work for money (some people tell me that's the definition of "retired" but I still have trouble using that word).
• American work ethic burnout
• After living in one place for over 30 years, wanted to try something different.
• Learn a new culture, including language.
• Not be in South Carolina anymore during the summertime.
• Simpler way of life with less belongings, including cars.
• Create a new space together.
• Not be in the U.S. anymore during Bush's presidency.
• Both our children extremely independent and apparently no grandchildren in the near future.
• Easy access to the U.S.
  
• Because we can (relatively healthy and able to walk on cobblestones).

2. Why did we move to San Miguel de Allende?

[San Miguel de Allende is located in the mountainous region of Central Mexico, in the state of Guanajuato. It is located about a 4-hour drive north of Mexico City. Below is a map to help you get a better idea of where San Miguel is located - near where it says "Guanajuato"]

Answers (in no particular order):

• Historical city that tries to protect its Mexican/Spanish culture.
• Artists' colony because of Art Institute established here in 1950.
• Enough Americans and Canadians here to feel comfortable (about 10% of the 100,000 population), but not too gringo-ized.
• "Foreigners" who settle here are generally cool.
• MANY festivals (e.g. Independence Day celebrations last for 6 weeks - that's not an exaggeration). All festivals include many hours of fireworks.
• Many cultural things to do besides go to art galleries and openings - e.g. chamber music concerts, independent films, Global Justice Film Series, live theater, dance concerts, Writers' salas, Yoga classes, live music in many restaurants, many ethnic restaurants (including Italian, Sri-Lankan, Lebanese, French)
• No McDonald's, Burger King or Wendy's
• Homeopathic medicine (and traditional medicine, well-trained doctors),
• High-speed internet available
• Low crime
• Good relations between natives and foreigners
  

3. What do we do all day? (This is a hard one.)
Answers (in no particular order):

• Wait for furniture to be delivered.
• Wait for workers to take care of repairs and improvements.
• Work with architect to plan upstairs bedroom/bathroom/terrace addition (OK, so we're gluttons for punishment)
• Check email/ write to friends and family
• Go to lunch with my one lady friend (who's moving back to Florida in November - bummer!)
• Go to mailbox downtown
• Hassle with SC DMV on the phone because our registration documents were not taken care of properly when we turned in our leased cars
• Keep track of budget in Excel spreadsheet (Hey, we're retired!)
• Go to parties and hopefully meet potential friends
• Go out to eat (see above) - sometimes with other people
• Go to independent films (see above), e.g. Tsotsi which I highly recommend
• Go to live theater (see above), e.g. Love Letters which I highly recommend
• Go to 2 chamber music concerts (you guessed it - see above), e.g. Turtle Island String Quartet (you guessed it) - which I highly recommend
• Go to Brazilian dance/music/cultural performance
• Go to Writers' Sala and hear readings from Alma Luz Villanueva & Alice Denham, a former Playboy Playmate
• Shop for furniture and other household items
• Grocery shop
• Listen for the garbage truck bell so we can take the garbage out
• Drink wine while Mike cooks (some things never change)
• Do laundry (some things never change)
• Talk to friends and family on the phone
• Do the S-word before bed every night (No, not that, I'm talking about Sudoku puzzles which we - especially Mike - have become addicted to)

4. What have we not had time to do yet? (No one has asked this but I want to answer it anyway.)
Answers (you guessed it - in no particular order):

• Take Spanish classes.
• Read more than one book.
• Write in journal.
• Check out books from the public library (which contains the largest collection of English language books in Latin America).
• Take Yoga classes or other body- and mind-altering experiences
• Go to Botanical Gardens
• Explore other Mexican cities
• Go to Global Justice film series
• Join Netflix
  

# posted by goots @ 6:38 PM