Thank you Daniel! In general Mexico has provided both adventures and stories from all sides! So glad you like them. Some of our favorite people ever we’ve met in Mexico. One of our dearest friends died 2 years ago, neighbor and friend. The other one is still around, who worked in the news business and really liked to ‘chisme’ so we heard everything. Also having the book shop so many years everyone popped in, with stories to tell… Tomorrows post hs on the Maya and the drought— I hope you can tune in!!
It is indeed. Mexico living provides so many. The next chapter in 2weeks also has an unbelievable story. So lucky to have happened long ago on a small pueblo where people are so real and open. Our 2 best friends, one now dearly departed, have provided a tutorial on the country—from history, politics, culture,
norms and customs, family stories, even recipes. And then we made our own too, by the # of people we met through building a house and opening the bookstore. We literally heard everything in town. At one point we had to have a No Gossip policy in the store. It was just too much. But, makes for great writing opportunities!!
"I think Americans have misinterpreted the siesta and created a stereotype about this hardworking culture that is totally unfounded" - this is true. The U.S. stereotype about the work ethic here is so incredibly wrong that it is offensive. Mexicans on average work longer hours than any other nation except Costa Rica.
And the expats - sheesh. You meet a lot of people just making stuff up here. Coming here thinking "I'll just invent a whole new backstory about myself". Usually it's very transparent. But it is annoying.
Anyway, another great and entertaining chapter on your journey, Jeanine!
Mil gracias Mike! It always amazes me, the lack of awareness re the work ethic here. It is offensive, you’re right. And construction, in the heat. Very tough. Takes a lot out of people. Also, the re-‘imaging.’ Think it’s part and parcel part of the deal. For writers, fertile ground ):
Some things never change no matter where you go...people living on the edge. It never ceases to amaze me when someone exerts all the energy it takes to be dishonest. I think an honest living could be made with less effort but maybe it's the risk that excites and makes it worth it to them. You have a good nose for sniffing "iffy" right off the bat.
Lucinda, you made my day with the ‘iffy.’ I had to laugh out loud. I totally agree with you—if that effort was put towards something meaningful, so much easier and better. One thing though, with all the Iffy people, good writing material!!
Omgosh Jeanine! Super parallel things between you and me here-the concrete making, the workers breaking their backs and working sooo much, to the gringo expat neighbors (although I haven't gotten to that part of my story yet!). So similar and fun to read. Waiting for the next chapter!
They work soo hard! The cement bucket carrying on the head on a zapote ladder tied together with rope— so unreal. Sweet guys too. All of them. Yes, our parallels are oddly in sync!!
GREAT article, Jeanine. Someday, maybe, I'll write about my experience of losing 200K investment in a Baja golf community because the developer took deposits from several people and fled to the USA to avoid arrest. Seventeen years later, it still hurts too much to admit my mistakes.
It’s not uncommon. We had our first land taken by eminent domain by government (I write about it in earlier chapter), second deal was too much for our contractor but he gave us back our money—he was from San Francisco and we’d gotten to know him and his family, maybe that’s why. This is round three. Two other gringos had contractor skip on them, and then a whole glob of stories—foreigners buying ejido land. Funds transferred to realtor’s personal accounts not the bank for home sales. The list goes on as you well know. Thanks for reading!!
Interesting to see the strong work ethic of the local albañiles juxtaposed next to shady characters like Alan! Glad you didn’t fall for his scam. Great writing, Jeanine!
Thanks Ashleigh! Yes, locals work so hard and we’ve seen a fair share of foreigners pulling punches. But some get caught. I write about that too. So many stories!! Btw, I appreciate your support.
Thanks for the restack Daniel!
This story was so riveting. It seems like you can meet plenty of characters on Gringo Row!
Thank you Daniel! In general Mexico has provided both adventures and stories from all sides! So glad you like them. Some of our favorite people ever we’ve met in Mexico. One of our dearest friends died 2 years ago, neighbor and friend. The other one is still around, who worked in the news business and really liked to ‘chisme’ so we heard everything. Also having the book shop so many years everyone popped in, with stories to tell… Tomorrows post hs on the Maya and the drought— I hope you can tune in!!
This story was so riveting. It seems like you can meet plenty of characters on Gringo Row!
It is indeed. Mexico living provides so many. The next chapter in 2weeks also has an unbelievable story. So lucky to have happened long ago on a small pueblo where people are so real and open. Our 2 best friends, one now dearly departed, have provided a tutorial on the country—from history, politics, culture,
norms and customs, family stories, even recipes. And then we made our own too, by the # of people we met through building a house and opening the bookstore. We literally heard everything in town. At one point we had to have a No Gossip policy in the store. It was just too much. But, makes for great writing opportunities!!
What a tale!
Great writing, Jeanine! Each person adds a fascinating new layer to the story!
"I think Americans have misinterpreted the siesta and created a stereotype about this hardworking culture that is totally unfounded" - this is true. The U.S. stereotype about the work ethic here is so incredibly wrong that it is offensive. Mexicans on average work longer hours than any other nation except Costa Rica.
And the expats - sheesh. You meet a lot of people just making stuff up here. Coming here thinking "I'll just invent a whole new backstory about myself". Usually it's very transparent. But it is annoying.
Anyway, another great and entertaining chapter on your journey, Jeanine!
Mil gracias Mike! It always amazes me, the lack of awareness re the work ethic here. It is offensive, you’re right. And construction, in the heat. Very tough. Takes a lot out of people. Also, the re-‘imaging.’ Think it’s part and parcel part of the deal. For writers, fertile ground ):
Some things never change no matter where you go...people living on the edge. It never ceases to amaze me when someone exerts all the energy it takes to be dishonest. I think an honest living could be made with less effort but maybe it's the risk that excites and makes it worth it to them. You have a good nose for sniffing "iffy" right off the bat.
Lucinda, you made my day with the ‘iffy.’ I had to laugh out loud. I totally agree with you—if that effort was put towards something meaningful, so much easier and better. One thing though, with all the Iffy people, good writing material!!
Omgosh Jeanine! Super parallel things between you and me here-the concrete making, the workers breaking their backs and working sooo much, to the gringo expat neighbors (although I haven't gotten to that part of my story yet!). So similar and fun to read. Waiting for the next chapter!
They work soo hard! The cement bucket carrying on the head on a zapote ladder tied together with rope— so unreal. Sweet guys too. All of them. Yes, our parallels are oddly in sync!!
GREAT article, Jeanine. Someday, maybe, I'll write about my experience of losing 200K investment in a Baja golf community because the developer took deposits from several people and fled to the USA to avoid arrest. Seventeen years later, it still hurts too much to admit my mistakes.
It’s not uncommon. We had our first land taken by eminent domain by government (I write about it in earlier chapter), second deal was too much for our contractor but he gave us back our money—he was from San Francisco and we’d gotten to know him and his family, maybe that’s why. This is round three. Two other gringos had contractor skip on them, and then a whole glob of stories—foreigners buying ejido land. Funds transferred to realtor’s personal accounts not the bank for home sales. The list goes on as you well know. Thanks for reading!!
Interesting to see the strong work ethic of the local albañiles juxtaposed next to shady characters like Alan! Glad you didn’t fall for his scam. Great writing, Jeanine!
Thanks Ashleigh! Yes, locals work so hard and we’ve seen a fair share of foreigners pulling punches. But some get caught. I write about that too. So many stories!! Btw, I appreciate your support.
Thank you! Yes, all very exciting. Joan eventually moved back to the US.