An Exciting Day!

As I sit here typing this post, I am waiting patiently for our dearest life long friends Dave & Shirley to arrive.  Greg has left for the airport to pick them up.  We are super excited to have them come visit.
Let me tell you a bit about (as I call her) My Girl Shirl!  Shirley and I have been friends, actually more like sisters for 35 years now!  The things we have shared, stories we've told, vacations we've taken together, years of fun at our cottage in Muskoka Canada......we've seen each other through the good times as well as the trying.  I can't think of what my life would have been like without these two dear people.
Shirley and David are actually the ones responsible for us making the move to Mexico.  You see, Dave & Shirl winter each year in San Miguel de Allende Mexico and we had the good fortune to experience what it would be like to live in central Mexico - far away from the resort costal towns - this is real Mexico.
They will stay with us for the next two action packed weeks then leave via bus to head to SMA for the balance of the winter months.  They will be our very first visitors since arriving here last May!

Greg's Mom, sister Julie and brother Rob will arrive the end of February and Julie and Rob will stay for 2 weeks.  Mom will stay on until the end of March, giving her a well needed time out from the cold dark Canadian winter. 

In April my Sister Sandy will be coming ................it will be wonderful to have her here and show her around the area.  I can't wait for a few close "on the couch with  our jamies on kinda sister chat" - I miss those times alot.   Sandy spent alot of time with us in Rockwood while travelling on business. 
It will be wonderful to have our dearest friends and family with us over these next couple of months!
Maybe, just maybe we will be lucky enough to have our Kids and Grandkids visit too!
Hugs !

Worth the Read

The Truth About Safety in Mexico Bargain Prices for Informed Visitors - By Dr. Jacqueline Zaleski Mackenzie

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This article is about safety in Mexico. A professional businesswoman who lives in Mexico wrote this report.

The United States has been facing an economic downturn since 2006. Those people responsible to remedy the situation must have realized that it makes sense to keep as much money in the country as possible. When a crisis such as this is making political reelection hopefuls nervous, this is one thing both parties can agree on. Obviously, if the public statement and subsequent marketing campaign are to “See the USA,” many travel dollars stay within the U.S. Borders. At the same time, discouraging travel to close neighbors who are having some obvious civil strife are additional incentives for uninformed travelers or investors. They are likely to keep their greenbacks at home.
The wise traveler or investor is doing his or her selves a disservice to take headlines at face value. Every statistic should be carefully evaluated. In many cases, there is unknown bias’. I live in Mexico, Central Mexico, and I know the truth. Consider very carefully about whom you trust before passing up a great vacation or property investment bargain.
A Factual Comparison
What is the draw to Mexico? Probably, the fact that Mexico has great weather, beautiful vistas, friendly people, and almost everything is cheap.
“Wait a minute! Didn’t you leave out dangerous?”
I guess that is a matter of what the word “dangerous” means to you. Mexico is not as dangerous as the USA. Unbiased resources have concluded that Mexico is a safer place to live or travel than the USA. According to one report, Mexico is about as dangerous as Albuquerque, New Mexico, other reports agree.
National Master.com states that a visitor has about a 1.3% chance of being a victim of crime in Mexico.
The United Nations Office on Crimes and Drugs 2011 [below] report confirms that on drug-related crime Mexico is equal to Poland and Denmark. Mexico is significantly lower in drug-related crime than Monaco, England and Wales, and Germany.
Let us compare crime rates per 1,000 residents between the two countries:

The Banderas Bay News, June 29, 2011, reported on a 2010 survey by “the LA Times that Mexico was 12 times safer than Tampa or Honolulu, 17 times safer than Dallas or West Palm Beach, 26 times safer than Orlando or Houston and a whopping 39 times safer than the U.S. Capital, Washington D.C.”
My research revealed that the LA Times have a series from June 3, 2008 until December 23, 2011 explaining numerous conflicts. If I am reading them correctly, the majorities are rival warring drug lords. The 200+ incidences of violence, occurring in the United States and Mexico, are few for eighteen months of conflicts. Compare those figures to any large U.S. city. Mexico is an entire country.
Conclusion: Be Informed as Visitors or Investors
I live about one hour from 75,000 expatriates. They live in or near San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. That is about the center of all of Mexico. Not once have I heard any resident of near San Miguel de Allende tell me they are sorry they moved from their home country to Mexico. Many people ask me to “keep our little secret” about the joys of living in Mexico. There are gorgeous homes in near San Miguel de Allende for a fraction of the cost in developed countries. Someone with a modest home and retirement check in the U.S. can “trade-up” in or near San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, and other places to living like a CEO or better. Come and see for yourself.

So, don't stay in cold Canada out of fear..................Come on down - the weather is glorious!! 

18 Minute Video - Well Worth Your Time to View!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDtalksDirector#p/u/4/zuAj2F54bdo

Very Intersting Stuff here - thanks to Bob for sharing it!
Maybe, just maybe this is what the Mayans might have been referring to??

Fathers..................

My Dad has been experiencing some health problems as of late.  As I sit here in Mexico, many many miles from home I worry about my Father.  You see, Dads are very special people to us daughters.  Any of us grown women who have been fortunate enough to have had a "Dad" will understand what  I am posting about.
Sure, there are always family issues and problems but the difference between having a "good father" and a "not so good father" is simply easy to understand.
Good Fathers care about their Families................as daughters, these Good Fathers are the solid rock in our worlds that keep us feeling safe and balanced throughout our young lives.  As we grow into women, we cherish "Our Fathers" - as keepers of our hearts.  These special god given men for  us are the ones whom we can count on throughout our lives when things go awry - they share their life experiences, teach us financial lessions, and embrace us with self esteem that carries us through our entire adutlt lives.
I cannot begin or want to elaborate on all the things that "My Dad and I" have been through together - that is private stuff.  I can only say that we as grown women need to remember that our cherished
"Dads" will one day need our assistance and reassurance as they move into their Golden Years as health begins to decline.
Cherish our Fathers -  that's todays Post.
Love U Dad,
Lorka
xoxo

Adjusting to Our New Lives..............

Those of us who are new to  Mexico have the  opportunity to learn a great deal about this country and its culture. In addition, we  have the unique opportunity to learn about yourselves.  We are experiencing the fascination of living in another country as well as the frustration of missing things that were so familiar to us at home. As we continue to experience living in Mexico and it's culture, it has become  important for us to reflect on and discuss our experiences with others here.  Thus the bond of new friendships becomes so very important to us both.

Anyone who is going to live in another country for an extended period of time should be aware of culture shock. While living in a new setting with unfamiliar social behaviors and a different language is certainly exciting, the excitement invariably includes feelings of disorientation and sometimes a little anxiety.    I researched this a little and below is an excerpt of what seems to be agreed on by many new transplants here...............

 Culture shock is the emotional reaction to difficulties you may experience when you are cut off from familiar cultural patterns, including the subtle, indirect ways in which you normally express yourself and when you are unable to understand or predict what is going on around you. The everyday activities that you are used to accomplishing with ease in your home country, now sometimes seem like major endeavors. The symptoms frequently associated with culture shock include boredom, the need of excessive sleep, compulsive eating or drinking, family tension and conflict, and chauvinistic feelings. These symptoms may last from a few weeks to several months. Because everyone responds to culture shock differently, just be aware that it is a normal process and it happens to everybody. Culture shock is the process of adjusting to a new country and a new culture, and it has some stages with which you should become familiar.

The Honeymoon stage: upon arrival, your first reaction will most likely be that great enthusiasm, even dream-like. Adjustments are easily made in this phase. During this stage you should do as much as possible to get settled down.

The crisis stage: As your life settles into a routine, your initial euphoria fades and the challenges of adjustment become more apparent. For example, growing frustration with the language and cultural differences is common, turning some everyday events into significant challenges and small difficulties into major hindrances.

The flight stage: In response to these frustrations and anxieties, you may deny the reality that you are living in a different culture. You consequently adopt any number of avoidances techniques, such as refusing to go out regularly, burying yourself into books, or frequently contacting family and friends in your home country in order to resist engagements with the new culture.

The integration stage: All the different stages start to balance out and you begin to adjust in more positive ways to your surroundings. Your ability to interpret cultural signs improves. You are able to enjoy and begin to understand and grasp the Mexican customs while appreciating those of your country. You feel more capable and outgoing. However, this still includes moments of the earlier stages and difficult times. These fluctuations are normal and eventually you will experience the new culture from a more balanced perspective.
 We have found that one of the best ways to deal with culture shock and to learn more about  the Mexican culture is to get involved and participate in the varied social and cultural events offered here.   Greg and I are slowly and steadily adjusting to our new world and at this time, after reading the above, feel we have hit the Intergration Stadge. 

Moving to Lake Chapala has been and continues to be one of the greatest, most exciting experiences of our lives to date.  We are looking forward to being here for the rest of our lives!

Viva Mexico we say!

A Forever Home for Little Oliver

On New Years Day, Greg and I hosted a party - an open house event.  We had many new friends here for the afternoon.  One couple absolutely fell in love with Oliver (the 3 month old pup that we took in from the street).   This couple has another little dog that required a "playmate."  A match made in heaven.
So, today little Oliver went to his new place - a happy ending for this wonderful little pup who would have surely perished on the streets.
Although it was tough to let him go, we are happy that Oliver ended up with his forever home.

The Day of the 3 Magic Kings!

The day of the 3 Magic Kings


Mexicans do not wait for Santa Claus to bring toys and presents at Christmas.

They wait a little bit longer : the day of the 3 Magic Kings –Melchior, Gaspar y Baltazar– which takes place on January the 6th. This celebration comes from a Catholic tradition that reminds us of the birth of Christ.

When he was a newborn baby, a very bright shining star was showing the way to the 3 most powerful and wise Kings through the desert to come and honor baby Jesus and offer him presents.

This is, for almost every Mexican child, the most important day of the year.

Because of the poverty in the country, there are many many children who wait for their present but it never comes.