A Gringo in Mexico

Yes that right, yesterday was all about Carnaval here in Merida. Well for most people. Of course when you have little babies running around the event itself is not quite as enjoyable as it probably will be for us in a few years when circumstances are a little different. However, we did partake in a bit of a unique feast. The neighbors cooked a goat and we were invited to drop by and partake. It was quite tasty, very similar to lamb. From what I saw on the local television, it looked liked there was all sorts of partying going on downtown. Young single guys reading this post take note, Merida during Carnaval seems like a good place to be. Enjoy the YouTube below.

Some recent news stories, and overall updates that I thought were worthy of a post or two. Firstly let me provide you with some recent developments that are actual facts. Despite the American media’s best efforts, tourism was up nearly 6% in Mexico for the year 2008. Almost 23 million people visited this country last year. Why is that significant you ask? Well, it indicates to me that Mexico is a pretty safe place unless your a drug dealer, drug user, a member of the police or military (who happens to be deployed in a city like Tijuana, or Juarez). Fox news ran a story the other day, I actually found it almost funny, the premise of which was Universities in Arizona are warning their students not to visit Mexico for spring break. They then go on to specify that the warnings are specific to Tijuana and Juarez. Isn’t that like telling someone not to touch the fire or they will get burnt. The other news worthy note is the following piece about the Mexican Drug Cartel moving to Guatemala. Although the AP writer neglects to make any real connection to why the Cartel is moving to Guatemala, and the Drug war here in Mexico. So, I will go ahead and explain the significance of this. As the article points out, it is unfortunate that Guatemala may now be facing life with the Cartel. There is are specific reasons why this has happened. It is in large part because of military offensive launched by the Mexican government. The Cartel is in retreat because the military has made life difficult here for them. Getting killed, imprisoned, or extradited to the United States are all real possibilities for the Cartel. Guatemala may serve as a safe haven for the time being. However, the retreat will also make it much easier for the Mexican Military to contain the cartel if they can isolate them to the southern border. From a tactical standpoint this could be the turning point. Time will only tell, and that opinion does not sell as many news papers.

Living deep in the Yucatan offers plenty of unique cultural experiences. One particular aspect of the culture here, are the many superstitions that are whole heartedly adhered to. There is one particular example of this that has struck me while living here in the Yucatan. My wife and her family made the observation a while back that our young infant son, at the time he must of been around 2 months old seemed a little jumpy, even nervous for lack of a better word. In my view, he just seemed to be experiencing the sensation of vertigo which is actually quite common for that stage of development in a young infant. I usually have some similar internal opinion rationalized by good old western science when it comes to many of the superstitions here. I am not particularly proud of this, it just part of my personality make up. I just go with it because I like the way it adds to the cultural uniqueness of my new homeland. So it was explained that my infant son was particularly nervous, and the only real remedy would be for him to visit a ladies house about two colonials over from ours. My first impression of this pronouncement, was that perhaps this was some sort of alternative medical approach, or maybe this lady was connected to the church, and she would give him a blessing. I never really thought much about it after that, as I am usually wrapped up with work or the playing with the kids etc.

A week or so passed and I inquired as to what ever happened with the lady they (the family) were going to take the baby to. My wife then advised me that they had already taken him. So I inquired further as to what actually went on at the ladies house. My wife said that the lady said a bunch of words in Mayan (which is still widely spoken here) all the while gently waving the smoke of some sort of herbal incents contraption around him. I then proclaimed, “sounds like a witch doctor”, to which my wife responded “yeah, pretty much.” to which I said, “well, hopefully it works.” he seems to be slowly growing out of the vertigo.

Yeah the days are just flying by. I really hate to go more than 3 days without posting, but sometimes life gets a little hectic. So far this week has been very productive. We finally have gotten a more structured and organized with our daily grind. Thus work has been much more productive this week. I have been trying to learn Dreamweaver. It’s an amazing program, learning lots so far. I have a few business projects I am working on, so that’s why I need to learn Dreamweaver. As far as content for this site goes, I am working on the following. A post about some of the unique Mayan superstitions that seem to impact everyday life here. Especially if you are married to a Mexicana of Mayan decent. There have been seem some interesting developments in the ongoing bloody drug war in the region which suggest the tide is turning in favor of the government. Of course the American press continues to ignore these signs. I would like to write another op ed piece on it, but those take some time, so look for that one in the next couple of weeks. I am also considering doing a weekly series where the premise would be something along the lines, “So, you wish you lived in a tropical paradise.” and then I will point out some of the everyday hardships about living here. So look for the launch of that as well. My goal for this site is at least 3 posts per week, maybe 4. I give the site about six months to see if it can at least earn $100 per month in advertising revenue. If it can’t, look for the site to take a new direction, probably comedy/entertainment, or perhaps it could go totally corporate and become a travel/tourism site. I don’t really want the site to take either direction as I enjoy writing about life here, but time is money to a certain degree, and if I am going to invest this type of time into this site, when in theory I could be working on when of my other business ventures. The bottom line is if the site can earn even just $5 per day, than I figure its worth my time. I will give it some time though, probably until around Labor Day. Please leave your feedback for me on the site if you like it.

we decided to take the kids and enjoy a couple of hours at Progreso.  Its a little port city around 20 minutes from here.  I do like being so close to the beach.

Well, I have actually been here for over two months now, but I was on a tourist visa until today.  Today I completed the application process and received my FM2 visa (resident alien), which is good for one year. FM2 visas are intended for people seeking permanent residency status in Mexico or those seeking Mexican Citizenship. There are various categories under which FM2 visas are granted, and these relate to the activities you intend to undertake while in Mexico. Under the terms of the FM2, you are authorized to only undertake certain, specific activities which may be lucrative or non-lucrative. You must hold a FM2 for a full consecutive five-year period before you may apply for “immigrant” status or Mexican Citizenship.  The process to obtain the visa was not as difficult as I thought it would be.  Submitted an application, around 10 days later I had an appointment at the immigration office to submit my fingerprints, photos etc, and then pay for it at any bank, and 10 days after that I picked up my visa.

I now have the unique distinction of having immigrated to two countries, the United States, and Mexico.  Being born and raised in Canada I actually have an affinity for 3 countries as it were.  I find positives and negatives in each of them.  At this moment in my life I feel pretty content here in Mexico.  My wife is Mexican, my two babies are Mexican.  So obviously I feel connected to this land.  I still need to speak Spanish.  I mean of course I speak it, but I mean really speak it with the flair and passion it was intended.  I am not sure if I will ever become a citizen.  I guess it depends on how long I live here.  I mean if I live here and have adult kids at that point who are here, I guess the for all intense and purposes I would be Mexican.

I was going about my usual business the other day when there was a knock at the door.  I went to see who was there, and it was a young man with his horse and cart in tow selling top soil.  It just so happens that at the time I indeed needed some top soil for some of my recently planted plants.  Here is the photo..

The men who offer these type of services, are often very poor, and usually are from one of the small Mayan villages surrounding the city of Merida.  The disparity between rich and poor in Mexico is quite shocking at times.  Three doors down from my house there is a very large house that by even North American standards would have to be considered very upperclass.  Complete with a white Mercedez Benz parked in the driveway.  4 houses down from my house, that right, next door to the rich house, is a small little shack, that does not appear to have electricity, and may even lack indoor plumbing.  For anyone thinking of moving to any third world country, seeing real poverty on daily basis will become normal.  Look for more posts on this topic in the near future…

Good morning everyone.  Were all a little sad around here today with last nights crushing loss.  Anyways, I have a couple of posts currently in draft status, and should have them published later today so look for those.  Kids have been under the weather a little bit, so we have been dealing with that.  I have also been busy with some of my other business interests trying to pay the bills.  One quick little story before I end the post..  I was getting ready for bed late last night when I heard a noise in the kitchen, I went out only to be startled by my 9 year old step daughter in the kitchen, who was up getting a glass of water.  As I re-entered our bedroom, my wife inquired which of our children was talking to me in the kitchen.  As I started to answer out of the corner of my eye I noticed something about the size of a small rodent race across the bed covers by my wife’s feet.  I immediately felt a rush of adrenaline thoughout my body as I quickly transitioned into the the protector of the family.  In my mind, my initial take was this apears to be a mouse, however as quickly as that thought came, the creature became airborne as it started to fly about the room.  My next thought was perhaps its a bat.  As it landed and I summoned up the courage to approach it, my wife advised it was a large flying cocharoach.   Indeed it was.  And quite large.  I quickly disposed of this creature, and went back to bed.  Ahh, another night in the Yucatan..

Mexico is a good place to live if you enjoy the sport of soccer as much as I do.  For soccer fans in North America, Wednesday night is big indeed.  Its the latest round of 2010 world cup qualifying.  It is also the reinstatement of the intense rivalry that has developed over the past 10 years or so between the US and Mexico.  This time around is a little different as the Americans are the clear favorites going into the match.  A well deserved distinction after dominating the series as of late in particular on US soil.

Did I mention the game is in Columbus, OH.  The conventional wisdom is that the uncomfortable conditions should favor the Americans.   In addition to the weather, Mexico’s Gerrardo Torrado, Fernando Arce and Carlos Vela are serving card suspensions and cannot play against the U.S., while another top talent, Andres Guardado, is injured.   As a Canadian gringo in Mexico, I will cheering for the Mexicans on Wednesday night.  I have no illusions however, it is very likely the US walks away with all 3 points up for grabs.  However, I do think Mexico can defiantly get a draw, and maybe a win.  For that to happen, a few things will have to change from their previous attempts.

First the players and the soccer culture at large will need to have a different outlook on this game.  A draw is OK!  That seems to be devil talk around here, but the reality is a draw away to the US would be a great result given current circumstances.  This mindset is significant, because it potentially changes the overall approach to this game.  Secondly Mexico will need to take a look at a couple of facts regarding this rivalry and the US team in general.  The US typically beats Mexico in the following fashion.  the U.S. relinquishes possession to Mexico who attacks on the wings looking to penetrate with quick passes into the box. Mexico is able to penetrate 1 or 2 times in the first half, but is rebuffed by great goal-keeping. At the end of the first half, or midway through the second half (when the Mexican players are tired from their attempts to push forward), the US is able to steal the ball and then pushes it out on the wing at midfield. The ball is quickly pushed forward to Landon Donovan or Demarcus Beasley who usually only have one or two Mexican defenders to beat as they are usually caught out of position. The goal is typically created on plays such as these, or off set pieces given due to fouls by again out of position Mexican defenders. It’s an especially frustrating way to lose a game due to the fact that Mexico is typically the one dictating the pace.  The other fact is that when US loses, for example during the 2006 world cup, they lose in a similar fashion to how the US beats Mexico.  For example, the Czech Republic clogged the middle, and used quick counters to control the game, and dominated the US 3-0.  Another example from that tournament is Ghana, they caught the US on a counter with a speedy winger, and never looked backed.  Given those two facts here is how I think Mexico can get a result.

Defense first, counter second, and forget about a traditional attack.  When the US has the ball, everyone on the Mexican side must be absolutely committed to defending, this goes for the players up top as well.  Sven will put the players in a position to defend well by clogging up the middle, and forcing the US to the flanks.  Using 3 defensive midfielders will be the key to not giving spaces to the US in which they thrive on with their speed. Clogging the middle makes the most sense since attacking too much and committing too many players forward, is really the Mexican weakness against the US.   Pardo in the as a central midfielder will be the key to delivering passes to El Tri’s speedy attack of Nery, Bravo, and Gio.  I think the starting lineup and formation should look something like this.

osorio–rafa–galindo–salcido
perez—–Pardo—-leandro
———nery—gio———–
————bravo

Sven Eriksson has brought the team into Columbus to try and acclimate them to the cold.  One thing to keep in mind regarding the weather is if it gets too wet, snowy, windy etc, any technical or skill advantage that the Americans have may become neutralized.

Its one thing two have a plan, its entirely another to execute it.  Make no mistake Sven Eriksson is more than a capable manager who has put together a plan perhaps similar to what I have suggested on how to get a result against the US.  The problem may be will the players trust him enough to execute the plan.  That will be key.  I can tell you that living here and having my ear on the ground the soccer culture in general seems more obsessed with which roster spots are occupied by players that are naturalized citizens, rather than focused on a specific strategy.  I also find it interesting that many supporters firmly believe that Mexico has a “responsibility” to score and win the game.  Of course, I think Mexico’s main responsibility is to qualify for the 2010 world cup in South Africa, and once there, obtain the best result possible.  The first step to accomplishing that goal will be to travel to Columbus with a sound strategy, have the players stay disciplined and execute the game plan,  the rest will fall into place.

by agringoinmexico.com

Making the observation that “it was a little chilly last night” in some respects must make my Canadian family members cringe.  I am sure back in Barrie Ontario, or Sydney Nova Scotia the thought that we have not had the windows open the last couple of nights, and I actually slept with a light blanket  last night sounds both ridiculous and appealing.  After all its been a very rough winter so far in that neck of the woods.  Although the locals would disagree, I actually find the chilly nights (low of 55F) quite plesant when sleeping with a light blanket.  The days of the past week have been in a word Brilliant.  Very nice, sunny and warm but not hot.  No rain either, so yeah, its been quite ideal in terms of weather.  My biggest concern about weather at the moment is when the rainy season hits in a couple of months, I need to find somthing to cover my truck with.  Right now we park it in the drivway. I will probally just afix some sort of cover for lack of a better work over top of where we park.  This can be done many different ways, but in the words of my wife, we don’t want it to look too tacky.  The rain combined with the scorthing heat that time of year is an absolute killer on metal, and I would imagine will create a lot of rust if proper measures are not taken.  I need my truck to last at least a few more years, so I have somthing set up in the car park in the next month or so.