Living is Mexico is Not Always Easy, But It IS Interesting!

It seems that each year, a larger number of Americans start living in Mexico. Canadians come too. Although the seasonal snowbird population accounts for a lot of the numbers around Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Mazatlan, and other places, many foreigners take up residence here. Of course, visiting family back home may pull them away at times, or perhaps the impulse to shop, but they become residents of Mexico.

Why do we come and stay here in Mexico? Few of us speak Spanish really well; complaining is a major pastime in expat communities; and we are baffled by the customs of the people in our new country of residence. So what is the draw?

Two aspects of life in Mexico are frequently mentioned as major draws: the climate and the cost of living. Of course, climate does vary around Mexico. The Lake Chapala area, at 5,000 feet elevation, is often described as having one of the best climates in the world: not too hot, not too cold, not too wet, not too dry. With about 34 inches of rain a year and temperatures that almost never dip as low as freezing, it’s mighty nice. Other Mexican cities popular with expats may have different climates, but you are not shoveling snow in any of them.

Cost of living is rather variable too, depending on the economic levels and personal tastes of the particular foreigners. Food, medical care, and other basics are quite reasonable. Many of us can afford gardeners and maids, since their wages are much lower here than back home. But in the popular expat colonies, rental costs and the prices of homes for sale are surprisingly comparable to those North of the Border, or as we say, NOB.

There’s another factor that is less often mentioned that might actually be even more important — it’s certainly at least as important as climate and costs. The Mexican people themselves are wonderfully courteous and welcoming to us. They are patient with our struggles to speak Spanish, and very helpful. One of the cultural differences that every expat has to get used to is that it is very hard indeed for Mexicans to say no to any request. They will very kindly give you inaccurate directions if you ask where a particular street is and they don’t happen to know.

You may say, “But of course they are kind and helpful. Expats are a huge help to their economy.” While that is undeniable, and many Mexicans I know are grateful for it, courtesy and enjoyment of life are a natural part of their culture. Just walk around anywhere and observe.

But there is no use trying to convey how different it is to live here. If you haven’t been to Mexico, and life here has an appealing ring to it, come down for a visit. Stay more than a week or two, and don’t buy a house on that first trip. Inform yourself. Living in Mexico is not for everyone, but for those who adapt, it offers many pleasures.

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Tags: Mexico

Rbd: A Band Created For Success

Television is a vital part of Mexican culture. Producers of soap operas will try almost anything to capture audiences. Adapted from the Argentine soap opera Rebelde Way, Rebelde is a Mexican soap opera whose producer had an idea that would capture his audience. The idea was to create a musical group for the soap opera that would support the characters and further storylines. In 2004, RBD was created.

The popularity of the band soon exceeded that of the soap opera. As the television audience became fans of the band, they wanted to hear RBD’s music more than watching the show. The show aired for three seasons only: 2004, 2005, and 2006. A new television series emerged to document the life of RBD and its members: Maite Perroni, Anah, Cristopher Uckermann, Dulce Mara, Alfonso Herrera, and Christian Chvez. The first season of RBD - La Familia, which means RBD - The Family, has thirteen chapters about the band’s life which include: the personal life of each member, recording in the studio, the concerts and backstage.

The group has already recorded albums in three different languages including Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The band’s greatest success has been in Brazil, but they have followers from around the world. The band is known in almost all of Latin America except Argentina, where they still have not released any albums. The most surprising thing about the group is the amount of awards they have been nominated for and won in the four years they have been in the music industry.

In the World Music Awards, they were nominated for the “Best Latin Artist on the World.” In the Latin Grammy Awards, they were nominated for “Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal.” In the Premios Juventud, or Young People’s Awards, they were nominated for twenty-one awards and won seventeen. They won, in Brazil, “Best Duo or Group” and “Melhor Banda Internacional”, or “Best International Band.”

In the Billboard Latin Music Awards, they have been nominated in thirteen different categories and won awards including: “Solo Qudate en Silencio,” meaning “Just Stay in Silence,” for Latin Pop Airplay Song of the Year - Duo or Group, “Rebelde” and “Celestial” for Latin Pop Album of the Year 2006 and 2007, and “Tour Generacin 2006″ for Latin Tour of the Year.

“Tour Generacin RBD” was the fourth most sold tour in Mexico with Cure as the first, followed by Britney Spears as the second, and The Backstreet Boys as the third.

RBD started out as a simple promotion. In little time, they grew and reached an impressive level in the Mexican music industry. Towards the future, they have great potential to continue growing. I believe they will win many more awards, awards that they truly deserve. It has been a true pleasure for me to write about such a great band.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: Mexico

The Joy Of A Mexican Vacation

The instant you get there, a trip to Mexico is an incredible experience that you will treasure for a long time. December to April is the peak season when traveling to Mexico, while May to November is the low season.

An important thing to consider when planning a Mexican vacation is that most Mexicans vacation in July and August. However, visiting Mexico is an excellent choice at any time of year.

The choice of hotels in Mexico is exciting and diverse. Mexico is also home to many all-inclusive resorts, which provide wonderful value for travelers. A great way to learn about all the different options is to read up on the various travel articles that experienced travelers have written.

I will concede that All-Inclusive Mexican Vacations let you to do more for less. An All Inclusive Mexican Vacation is basically what it sounds like. Don’t be scared to ask questions and do research to ensure you’re getting the best Inclusive Mexican Vacation you can. It is really a buyers market considering all the different options out there.

Unless you just want to sit in your hotel and eat cheeseburgers, escaping from inside the walls of the resorts is a great way to get a taste of the local culture. Let your hair down and have some fun!

You may be wondering, “Why is Mexico such a special destination?” Mexico has a fertile past and is one of the oldest cultures in the world. Mexico is a very popular vacation destination because it offers many options for a vacation, from tours of ancient archaeological sites, to relaxing beach holidays, to exciting city breaks.

Mexico offers the vacationer opportunities to visit awesome archaeological sites such as Teotihuacn, Monte Alban, and Palanque, in addition to having breath taking beaches and a variety of water activities to enjoy.

However, if beaches and golf courses are your thing, you can find lots of these on Mexico’s more relaxed Pacific coast, where you will find many luxurious resorts and retreats.

From the rich culture to the wonderful scenery, relaxation and peaceful environment, you will love every moment of your Mexican vacation. By doing a little research and planning, a Mexican getaway can become a reality.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Getting Your Passport In Person

by Aazdak Alissimmo

It’s vacation time! There are a lot of things to think about when traveling - where you want to go to and when you want to go, and how much time you’d like to spend there - but you also need to think about those little annoying things like the rules of travel, and even, getting your passport.

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, you will need a US passport as your main form of identification while traveling. There are no exceptions to this rule except for Mexico and Canada - and those are only in specific circumstances.

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How To Get A US Passport In Person

by Aazdak Alissimmo

Traveling outside the country is a dream of many people. Planning for your trip is a great process too - deciding on where you’re going to fly or sail to, and how long you’re going to be away for. One part of the process some people forget about is their passport - an important part of overseas travel.

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States, you will need a US passport as your main form of identification while traveling. There are no exceptions to this rule except for Mexico and Canada - and those are only in specific circumstances.

The two big countries that do not require seeing your passport, at least in some circumstances, are Mexico and Canada. You do not have to show them your passport if you are visiting by land or sea. However, flying in requires a passport. Land and sea requires your birth certificate and driver’s license.

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Budget Hotels in Cancun

If you and your family plan a vacation to Cancun, chances are that you will need to delve into your savings to be able to afford the trip. There are a few money-saving ways to cut corners, but food and activities can both be very expensive in a foreign country. One way that you can save money is by choosing a less expensive place to stay. Budget hotels can be found in Cancun for relatively cheap prices, so be sure to research this option and choose the best budget hotel you can for you family if money is an object. By staying in a budget hotel, you can have more money to spend on activities during your stay in Cancun.

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The Ruins of Mexico

One of the most breath-taking sites in Cancun is within walking distance of most of the popular hotels. Juxtaposed amidst Cancun’s bustling hotel zone are the ruins of El Rey, ancient remains of the Native American civilization that used to be where the hotels now stand. Because they are so close to the hotels, it is almost unthinkable to leave Cancun without visiting these ruins.
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Popularity: 14% [?]

Spring Break in Cancun

One of the premier spring break destinations is Cancun, Mexico. Every March and April, thousands of college students flock to Cancun for parties and fun adventures. If you want to take part in the festivities, research more about spring break in Cancun-the trip is one that you may not totally remember, but you are sure to never forget!

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Popularity: 26% [?]

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