BS: Mexico!

Subject: BS: Mexico!
From: *Laura*
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 12:15 PM

hello dear mudcatters -
I am in an exceptionally good mood. which is irrelevant to what I'm about to say but I thought I'd tell you anyway.

As one of my options for next year I am considering going to Mexico for three months with one of the gap-year organisations and maybe teaching english as a foriegn language. (I also looked into several other places including Mongolia and Shanghai, but Mexico seemed to capture me. nothing to do with tequila I assure you...)
So - my question is - have any of you been to Mexico... live in Mexico... know people who have travelled or gapped in Mexico?

Any info or advice greatly appreciated!

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Amos
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 12:24 PM

I lived outside of Guadalajara for a year, absolutely lovely city, if you can tolerate the more-random nature of life in a Mexican city. You are on your own responsibility in all things, at all times; the traffic signs, the police, the invisible net of lawyers and legal protections you may be accustomed to in this country (Tthe US) are not there. This is very liberating but also requires living in full attention. The people are, in my opinion, often more alive, alert and more hospitable and caring than those in the U.S. I think you should do it in a heartbeat, myself. Learn as much Spanish as you can; people will help you every way possible but they will appreciate your effort.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: *Laura*
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 12:34 PM

Thanks - just to add to the info.
I would be in Guadalajara staying with a Mexican host family. And I'm from the UK so it's a long way from home!
I'm up for it though I'm just excited to find out as much info as poss before making a decision.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 12:46 PM

Mexico will be quite a culture shock. I know one person who spent several years there..(Mexico City) who gives it very mixed reviews. I know another who goes to Yucatan each summer as a botanist, and has reams of information on what not to drink and who to bribe how much for certain favors and 'protection'. Your position may be relatively secure, but if you do go, listen to advice about customs & safety.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Amos
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 01:14 PM

There's a lot beauty to find in Guadlajara, no mistake. There are a few ordinary precautions to take -- wash your vegetables before cooking in a rinse of clean water and iodine, there is a common product that you add a few drops of into the water. Don't drink public water -- a lot of the buildings store their city water supply in open, roof-top cisterns where such things as drowned pigeons can be found. When I was there, ten or twelve years back, the watrer service was intermittent; I was lucky to have a place with a private well which drew naturally clean water from deep under the layer of jal for which the state of Jalisco is named, a chalk and lime substrate. But most homes don't have their own wells.

Out on the perimeter of the city there is a population of semi-feral dogs that wander around -- I once had to kick one of them five feet up in the air when he thought he would take a nip out of my daughter's toes on impulse. Just a minor random factor to be alert for. A lot of families in smaller homes keep a "roof dog" who serves as a burglar alarm and noise nuisance.

Learn from the locals how to deal with cops, especially if you are going to be driving. When I was there, we got held up by cops jus once, but it was a hefty mordida.

You can trust the dentists and doctors; we had several occasions to use them and found them very competent and helpful.

There is an "American University" there which is very good for learning Spansih as a second language. There is an extensive community of ex-pats, both UK and US, especially out by the lake. There are beautiful sights to be seen in the country all around, including ancient (pre-Columbian) pyramids that you sometimes come across by accident. The indigenous Indian cultures are an endless source of itneresting study.

Just don't expect things to be as predictable as they are at home -- be ready for anything and you won't be disappointed! :)


A

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 02:30 PM

You might PM my sister, MUdcatter "bet." She had friends, retired teachers, who went to Mexico to teach English for a short term.

Sounds like an interesting experience!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: *Laura*
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 03:37 PM

Thanks guys.
Thanks Kat I will do.

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Kaleea
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 05:45 PM

Laura-there are some of us who are close to the border, so if you do make it to Mexico, please let us know. Also, know that if you ever find yourself in need of anything, we will be here!

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: *Laura*
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 06:08 PM

Yeh I will do it'd be really nice to meet some 'catters from across the pond! thanks Kaleea
xLx

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Boab
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 01:22 AM

Check your PM Laura----

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Benjamin
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 03:28 AM

I was just living in Alamos (southern Sonora) for a month. It's a very beatiful country. I would encourage you to take such an opportuntiy as english can be a very helpful language for the locals, and learning spanish in a homestay is a great way to do so! Also, even though life can be less comfortable, the hospitality in a Mexican family is amazing (at least where I stayed). It's an honor to them that you would choose to live in their house.
PM me if you have any other questions, although I must admit that I'm not familiar with the region your interested in or the program your looking at.
BMW

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 06:17 AM

My brother has just got back from nearly 3 months in Mexico- he came back 2 weeks early because it was so cold. I suspect it's not usually like that.

The Boy visited Mexico a few years ago on the first leg of his gap year world tour, and stayed about 3 weeks. 18, by himself, Mexico City first stop- he learned to cope pretty quickly, and only got mugged once. Arrived at Easter and saw a crucifixion too.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: open mike
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 12:47 PM

what means "gap year" or "gapped"?

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 02:05 PM

a gap year is usually, but not exclusively, the year between 6th form and university.The student is 18 or thereabouts and takes a year off to travel or do something to make money before 3 years or longer at Uni.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: *Laura*
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 11:25 AM

hello - thanks for all your emails and PMs and stuff they're really helpful.
got another question that I should be able to find on a tourist info site or something but I can't - when is the best time to go weather-wise?
I'd like warm.
I was thinking in the new year so maybe feb/march/april? Im not sure though everyone says different things on when is best to go.

cheers guys
xLx

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 12:30 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 08:09 AM

I lived thrice in Rosarito, B.C., for four weeks with my old aunt. It is south of Tijuana on the NR 1, at the beach of the Pacific. Wonderful small town with a good small library.
Along the main street and West of it you find a lot of American tourists and pensioners, but in the East there are solely Mexicans.
South of Rosarito lies the harbour Ensenada with a language school. Maybe a chance for you?
In both towns the culture shock can be disregarded. The people are extremely friendly to people from abroad when they notice that you are not an American tourist but interested in their land and way of life. A basic knowledge of Spanish is welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Alice
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 09:45 AM

I first went to Mexico in 1978, a road trip in a 1949 Buick, one month driving through Mexico to El Salvador, two months living in El Salvador, then one month driving back through Guatemala, Belize, around the Yucatan to Veracruz, back across to Mexico City and up the west coast again. Went down from Montana through Nogales, so Guadalajara was on the way going and coming back. Beautiful country, but lots of corruption in the legal system. The federales stole all the money from my purse when we went through the car check station heading home. Met with anti-gringo sentiments in some places including a woman who refused to serve us in her restaurant. I went back to Mexio on road trips in '81, then just eastern Baja in '91, and '95. My first trip in '78 was a view of rural villages and farms in between the cities, but after that, the abandoned buildings along the road were numerous. Big changes in Mexico because of the drug trade and NAFTA. Not being an American, you will probably be welcomed.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 09:54 AM

there a great Ralph McTell track

Tequilla sunset, Tijuana sunrise
lets put the light back in each others eyes

and James taylor did a nice track called Mexico.

I bet if you agreed to go somewhere safe for your gap year, your parents would buy you both albums.

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: Alice
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 01:29 PM

February, March and April would be a good time for Guadalajara weatherwise, not too hot, beautiful blooming flowers. Many North Americans go down during the winter months to get out of the dark cold days. Lots of Canadians go down to Mexico for the winter. Be aware that in March and
April you will run into lots of "spring break" college students from the US who ceate havoc and ill will with wild partying.
January and February would be a good time.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Mexico!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 11:53 PM

If you can stand being away from your family, Christmas is a fantastic time to visit Mexico! I was in Mazatlan one Christmas and loved it! What fun. Music, parades, pinatas and lots of smiles. The weather was fabulous. The beaches are great. Learn to surf.

Next time I want to go during their annual Day of the Dead. I think those little skeletons in all their funny costumes are hilarious. I want to see how they celebrate this festival.