Life in Mexico: Week 1 - Getting our footing

Wow, what a week it has been!! We spent dinner last night watching the sunset!

No matter how much you prepare or how much research you do, there will always be unexpected curve balls. There were several days when the stress was palpable. I had to focus on my mantra, "I am powerful, I am worthy, I am grateful for all that I am; I am exactly where I am supposed to be." The words grounded me, settled my spirit, but it didn't mean that I was completely unaffected. It meant that I had dig a little deeper to reach the strength, wisdom, and guidance within myself.

So, what has happened? Well, days one and two were spent - almost entirely - at the Immigration department getting the second half of our approvals completed so that we could get our official "Residente Temporal" cards and CURP numbers (like a SSN). It was a LOT of waiting in a small-ish waiting room with guards carrying assault rifles. I felt very safe.

I also spent those days calling all of my banks, getting voice verified, answering all of the qualifying questions, etc. to get my phone numbers and addresses updated to the Mexican info. That took forever. Oh my gosh. It is as if these global companies don't have international clients! Anyway, after going through all of that, Wells Fargo still completely shut down my account fearing fraudulence with my recent purchases in Mexico. Seriously? Eight departments, tons of phone numbers, and four days later I finally got someone from the "Risk and Account Takeover" department to clear me and reinstate my access.

Also, I tried to open a Mexican bank account (as Wells Fargo told me before I left that it had to be done in Mexico) and they told me that I had to be a permanent resident... FOUR YEARS FROM NOW. No, there is no way that is accurate. So, I will be reaching out to my fellow expats to find out what I need to do and get the name of an actual person who knows what is going on at the banks.

We are meeting our real estate agent for the first time today. Very excited about that! OH, and the FOOD!! OMG, you guys... Vegetarian OUT THE WINDOW! I am experiencing everything that I can! You just wait, I am going to try the cabeza, lengua, and whatever else they have down here. We have dined all over, from restaurants and palapas on the beach to food trucks on the side of the road. I will tell you that this is the shrimp capital of Mexico and all of the seafood is fished the same day it is served. So, I have been going crazy with cerviche! I am ranking my favorite-favorite to my less-favorite. They are all amazing. I keep taking pictures of the vistas everywhere that I eat (like a tourist) because I just can't believe this is now my life. I feel so blessed.

Can we discuss the price of stuff here? Mom and I went shopping at the Mercado Pino Suarez this morning (I should have taken a picture of that! Sorry - it was fascinating, though! I will do a story on that one day.) All of our haul (with almond butter, honey, produce, and meats) was less than $20.

All of this for less than $20!!!!

I told mom that while she was buying chicken, I was watching a worker at one of the fish stalls. As he was stacking the fish with such care and respect he suddenly burst out whistling. He was, literally, whistling while he worked. I loved that level of contentment and dedication to a trade that has probably been passed down through his family. Goals.

Men fishing in the ocean with plastic bottles and fishing line

It all still seems completely surreal. Basically, all we have been doing is eating, completing the errands to ensure our legal status, walking the beach or malecon, and sitting by the pool meditating and doing yoga. Mom looked at me earlier today, smiled, and said, "Ris, this is our life, now!" I can't complain!

As always, here are some of mom's great pics! She was trying to get the Mazatlan sign in a drive-by, but she did get GREAT pictures of a total stranger and a stick!

Until next time!

Take a leap; choose JOY! :D