This is a question I’m asked quite often. And with that question comes the usual litany of fears about violence in Mexico and often, why I would want to give up Canada (which to some, is the center of the universe) for Mexico? What most of my questioners don’t understand is Mexico chose me, not the other way around. Read the rest of this entry »

This is one of the most important topics that comes up, because the Mexican system is quite different from that in the US or Canada. Brushing up on the rules before you travel could save you much heartache later. Read the rest of this entry »

Mexico is famous for the Gecko lizards, which are fairly small and remind me of soft rubber. They tend to be pinkish in color with soft skin and they make a kind of chirping sound, reminiscent of a bird. It’s said that if a Gecko takes up residence in your home it’s a sign of good luck. And, as luck would have it, I had a Gecko in my first apartment in Bucerias. Read the rest of this entry »

As you can imagine, learning another language can be quite a challenge and it’s easy to make embarrassing mistakes. One time I introduced my friend (a woman) as my sister, but that was minor. A far worse one was when I was telling one of my Mexican friends that I needed a plug for my apartment and used the wrong word (whore). My face was bright red over that one… Read the rest of this entry »

Learning Spanish can be quite a challenge. It’s even worse when you come to Mexico not knowing a word of the language. This happened to me many years ago and it was quite a humbling experience. Read the rest of this entry »

Life in Mexico can be pretty funny at times. One morning I went out for breakfast to a small hole in the wall with my buddy Roger. Among other things, I ordered a coffee with cream. No big deal, right? Read the rest of this entry »

In Mexico vendors (vendedores) are a part of the landscape and you’ll run into them in many places, especially on the beach, where you’ll get hit up to buy various goods, such as silver, arm bands, t-shirts, hammocks and the like. And if you’re not interested, a simple “No gracias,” will suffice. But what do you with a persistent vendor? Read the rest of this entry »

This is a question that comes up guite often, so I’m going to write about what I do to find a place to live, which covers several steps. Read the rest of this entry »

This posting was sent to me by a buddy of mine who lives in Bucerias, a small town located some 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.

If you’re new to this blog, you might not realize that I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico and much of it was in Bucerias. I lived there for two winters and hung out in Puerto Vallarta on a regular basis. Read the rest of this entry »

Mention Revenue Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency to many a Canadian and you’ll get a blank stare, a shocked look or a mask of fear. Many Canadians are terrified of this government agency and with good reason.
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