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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
You sound very confused, helpless. Your first posts announced the arrival of a free spirit, a confident adventurer. You were tentative, unorganized. I
had a hard time believing you were doing adult things. Not many on the board would have advised the way you carved out a spartan environement for
yourself. We said that. You scoffed and said you were dedicated. You ask us how/where to buy bread, water. No other gringos I can remember on this
board showed less resources, less gumption than you have exibited so far. I'm looking for the day you make a breakthrough -- find some
water/doughnuts/molding clay/electricity/happiness in Baja California. |
I have to agree with Osprey who said it well.
so, as you are a city girl, wanting lights, tv, internet, Trader Joe's, as well as sustainable living, compost pile, chickens, etc...you can find that
easily enough in the USA. given funds, the lack of which seems to be the bottom line. cheaper has its cost. Mexico is not just somewhere to live
better on less and with less 'restrictions'...it comes complete with its own rules and rhythms. or as I call it...down the rabbithole country.
it's not what you expect nor want, it is what it is. the faster you adjust, the sooner you will (may?) become happy with what is...
lowering your standards helps tremendously. the electricity will be in when it's in, the patio will be fine five feet to the left of where told the
workers you wanted it, Pedro's cousin's brother-in-law's daughter's wedding will take precedence over roofing your shed, the lime tree you planted may
bear oranges, etc etc etc. it's not the country you expect, but it can be the country you need. adjust. or go slightly nuts, like everyone else.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: |
I have to agree with Osprey who said it well.
so, as you are a city girl, wanting lights, tv, internet, Trader Joe's, as well as sustainable living, compost pile, chickens, etc...you can find that
easily enough in the USA. given funds, the lack of which seems to be the bottom line. cheaper has its cost. Mexico is not just somewhere to live
better on less and with less 'restrictions'...it comes complete with its own rules and rhythms. or as I call it...down the rabbithole country.
it's not what you expect nor want, it is what it is. the faster you adjust, the sooner you will (may?) become happy with what is...
lowering your standards helps tremendously. the electricity will be in when it's in, the patio will be fine five feet to the left of where told the
workers you wanted it, Pedro's cousin's brother-in-law's daughter's wedding will take precedence over roofing your shed, the lime tree you planted may
bear oranges, etc etc etc. it's not the country you expect, but it can be the country you need. adjust. or go slightly nuts, like everyone else.
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well said! and i am finding all that u said...it's a trade off! 
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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ps...I can live a lot cheaper in the USA. I choose to live here. there's never a dull moment.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Is there a "fellow" Nomad who is either in the area often, or knows of someone who could "sort of" keep an eye on the project for her??????
i think for her "peace of mind", someone could step up to the plate and offer some assistance. Anyone out there can help????????
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Phil S
Is there a "fellow" Nomad who is either in the area often, or knows of someone who could "sort of" keep an eye on the project for her??????
i think for her "peace of mind", someone could step up to the plate and offer some assistance. Anyone out there can help????????
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that is very kind!
even if someone could call and ask the man in charge of the electricity installatiion to ask the status. i have tried to call and since he has a cell
phone i cannot use my calling card...for his mexican #. that would be the best help of all. he is australian, therefore can speak english...
thanks,
diana
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dianaji
| Quote: | Originally posted by Phil S
Is there a "fellow" Nomad who is either in the area often, or knows of someone who could "sort of" keep an eye on the project for her??????
i think for her "peace of mind", someone could step up to the plate and offer some assistance. Anyone out there can help????????
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that is very kind!
even if someone could call and ask the man in charge of the electricity installatiion to ask the status. i have tried to call and since he has a cell
phone i cannot use my calling card...for his mexican #. that would be the best help of all. he is australian, therefore can speak english...
thanks,
diana |
Diana,
What Phil S. suggests, I would say is manditory. Your reply is not clear to me. Is the Australian the one who is in charge of the electrical
installation, or just someone you trust to check on things for you? How can a non-Mexican National be in charge of electrical installation? Do you
know this guy well?
Regarding phone communication, it is your responsibility to make sure that you establish reliable phone service that works. If your calling card
doesn't work for his cell, get something that does work. I can't stress enough the importance of having someone reliable there running the job. Even
with that, it is no substitute for you being there throughout the whole construction.
There are so many ways to lose your investment in Mexico. You can do all your homework, cover all your bases legally and suddenly the whole game
shifts. The solid ground of security you had under you feet suddenly and unexpectedly turns to quicksand. Now I am not saying it is impossible to
achieve your dream, but I am saying you really have to be there to have the best chance at it. I realize you have said that you can't do that. I would
put it off until you can arrange your life and finances to be able to be there.
The Mexican culture and ethics are very different than those of the U.S. From the Mexican worker's viewpoint, the most important thing is where is
today's meal is going to come from and how can I support the niece's wedding, or get medical help for my sick wife or child. That is not entirely
different from our immediate needs, but we have the opportunity to acquire more money faster.
So the Mexican plays the game: You give me the money and I will buy the materials and do the work. Well, you just said goodby to your money. You feel
you have been cheated and lied to. The Mexican doesn't see it that way. He just got a bunch of money and was clueless as to how to manage it. It just
disappears. He doesn't mean to cheat you. Circumstances just got in the way of your agreement and your money. He will tell you how poor he is, and how
much he needs it, and that is very true.
The Mexican is a very nice person. He will cheerfully invite you into his house and soon you and his family are like one big family. He is sincere
about that. You will never meet such gracious and polite people.
This is the BIG lesson to learn: He cannot bear to see you disappointed so he will say "Yes" to everything you ask for. Unfortunately, when he cannot
meet that pledge, you won't be there to realize it. That will come at your next meeting but he won't have to face you until he does. Then he will try
to make it right, but....you guessed it...it will take more money because the money you had already given him is gone. Never never advance money
unless you are right there and it is just the amount needed to get started for that day. It is not a matter of trust. Forget that. In Mexico, trust is
relative and does not hold the same value as the sense of trust that was instilled in you as a child.
Now, I may be a little jaded. Trust is a big issue for me. I know how good my word is and so I would assume others would also rise to that level. I
have been often disappointed, in The United States as well as in Mexico. I had to learn those lessons the hard way. Consequently, trust, when it comes
to money, is something I rarely allow myself to give.
Putting my value system aside, I have given you my experience and my understanding of the cultural differences, and this experience has been validated
by many people who live here in Mulege who have had the building experience.
Follow your dream. Follow your intuition. Hold your trust in reserve. As a wise sage once said (perhaps more than once), "it is a game. Know the rules
and play the game to win."
Best of luck, Diana!
Tony
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
Diana,
What Phil S. suggests, I would say is manditory. Your reply is not clear to me. Is the Australian the one who is in charge of the electrical
installation, or just someone you trust to check on things for you? How can a non-Mexican National be in charge of electrical installation? Do you
know this guy well? |
The australian is the liaison between the contractor who is mexican
who put the poles up and the community. He knows what the status is. i am not the only one who is waiting for the work to be complete. What u said
is what i have found. i have to pay up front for materials of any work done and the balance after finished. yes, mexicans do things differently and
i am adjusting to that. so, i agree that i must accept our differences. thank u for confirming that. for my dream, as i said, i'm not giving
up...and yes, there are challenges.
diana
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arrowhead
Banned
Posts: 912
Registered: 5-5-2009
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
The Mexican culture and ethics are very different than those of the U.S. From the Mexican worker's viewpoint, the most important thing is where is
today's meal is going to come from and how can I support the niece's wedding, or get medical help for my sick wife or child. That is not entirely
different from our immediate needs, but we have the opportunity to acquire more money faster.
So the Mexican plays the game: You give me the money and I will buy the materials and do the work. Well, you just said goodby to your money.
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I'm not sure I agree with your view. Millions of Mexicans work in factories and other businesses where they punch a clock, work diligently all day,
and then punch out. It seems to me you are infantilizing a group of Mexican workers (albaniles) and apologizing for their conduct. When Hugo Torres
builds his monuments to conspicuous consumption in Rosarito, you can bet that the workmen show up and put in a days work. I think the real problem is
that these albaniles view their American customers as a low priority because once they are hired they are stuck. You can bet they wouldn't pull that
crap with Hugo Torres or any other Mexican compa with any juice.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Did anyone cover the workmans compensation issues yet??? I reread this, but might have missed it. If someone is more versed here, jump right in.
This one is really scary in my book. also the contributions for the "other' social services that must be paid to whomever in town. And if they
aren't paid by you, then you can be liable down the road??????????
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