These are not things you’d necessarily think about if you were going on a beach vacation in Mexico. But these are things that, knowing about them, could alter your experience LIVING in Mexico. These are things mostly based on my experience and necessitate speaking in generalities. Of course there are every kind of people in Mexico like every other country.

1. The prevalence and strength of Mexican spirituality and Belief.

From weekly festivals, parades, and fireworks to big events like the Day of the Dead, and legends like the Lady of the Lake and the Goat Sucker (chupacabra), many Mexicans believe and pass on their spirituality and folklore and it reflects in many parts of their lives and culture. 

I’d heard of some of these things back in the States of course (like the goat sucker), but it wasn’t until I got to know a few Mexicans here, and they shared their thoughts and customs on the subject, that I got a real sense of the depth of belief that is passed from generation to generation here in some families. Traditions are celebrated with pride and are integral to the cultural fabric of many communities.

Of course some legends like the Chuacabra might be held by some people as less sacred and significant than the celebration of the departed on the Dia de los Muertos. Tales of the chupacabra and various others have been used for centuries all across the world to influence children to behave as their parents wish and to exercise caution in dangerous situations or areas.The Day of the Dead is a serious cultural and spiritual tradition that has deep historical roots and significant social importance.

To me this enriches the culture and widens an understanding of the world, seen and unseen. I think it imbues everyday life with a deeper sense of wonder and meaning, and I love it.

2. Not everyone is happy to see foreigners in Mexico (or anywhere else these days).

I didn’t think much about it before coming here in April. I had had such wonderful experiences in Mexico on past vacations, always felt warmly welcomed. But the world is changing fast and there have been so many immigrants to Mexico in the last few years that it’s affected the economy and housing in certain towns, and in some parts threatens to change the culture itself.  

There is a notorious incident here, in Puerto Vallarta that I heard about soon after entering Mexico. A foreign couple bought a property in PV and it is next to a famous and popular restaurant called Gaby’s that has been there for over 30 years. The controversy started when the American couple brought a lawsuit against the restaurant, citing noise disturbances from the music they play, and interference with the couple’s quality of life. This has threatened to close the restaurant and has caused an uproar from the neighborhood and people who support the restaurant. 

This case, similar to the controversy raised in Mazatlan, where hoteliers requested the prohibition of banda music on the beaches (ostensibly because of tourists not liking it), has generated a swell of solidarity towards Gaby’s restaurant by local residents and foreigners alike.

Naturally a debate about preservation of tradition and culture has ensued! It does seem quite arrogant and selfish to come to a different country and start demanding changes to suit yourself.

This combined with gentrification happening in some areas, has soured some Mexicans feelings about tourists and foreign residents. Maybe it’s because I’m online making videos,and I’m sensitive about the situation, but I have witnessed some hostility towards foreigners in Mexico. It’s interesting to note that I’ve never seen hostility in person, just online. Sometimes the internet brings out the worst in human nature.  But I do understand it.

3. It’s harder than I thought it would be to learn a new language at my advanced age!

Having spent a big chunk of my life in California I’ve known quite a few Mexicans and other Spanish speaking people. I’ve had this exposure to the language throughout the years but have never put in a concerted effort to learn.   Let me just say that if you think you’re going to pick up the language through osmosis, just by being here, you’re most likely wrong (if you’re anything like me). Effort and daily practice are necessary. But despite my current lack of fluency I’ve never met a Mexican who hasn’t been patient and kind.

Luckily there are many resources to help you learn Spanish, and of course immersion helps, if you can be away from anyone who speaks your own language.

4.
Money is a little different in Mexico. In the U.S., for better or worse, they’ve made it very easy to use a bank or credit card to pay for everything, from a soda at the market, to your rent or utilities. Mexico is not currently set up like that in many areas. If you’re in Cancun or PV I imagine you could pay for a dinner out with a card in many instances. Smaller towns and rural areas require cash. You need cash to pay, and having smaller bills or exact change is helpful too.  

So setting yourself up with at least two systems for getting cash is important. I have 3 US bank accounts and a debit and credit card for each. I take these 6 cards and divide them into 3 sets of two, one a cc and one a debit, so that I’ll always have a set to fall back on if something like theft or loss or technical difficulty should arise. Redundancy is key!

My one regret is that I didn’t open a Charles Schwab account because they reimburse you for ATM fees, and that can add up. But whether you use Charles Schwab or any other bank, make sure there are no foreign transaction fees from your own bank, and let them know you’ll be in Mexico so they don’t shut your account down out of caution.

5. The weather is to be taken seriously in Mexico!

Everyone knows Mexico has a lovely climate and this is a big draw for everyone from retirees to beach bums. And when I packed to come here, fitting everything in my car, I thought “do I really need my winter coat or rain boots?” 

My first surprise was on the Pacific coast when we got here in April. I knew it would be warm but it was beyond that. Last spring Mexico had a heat wave that set some records I believe. It was scorching hot. The dogs suffered because I just assumed our first rental would have AC (and it didn’t), or maybe that we wouldn’t even need it in April. I struggled to keep Viggo cool and he did have serious skin issues that I think I can blame on the heat and humidity. We avoided the sun at any cost that first month. I learned that many consider April and May to be the most challenging weather months in many parts of Mexico.

When I used to read about different regions in Mexico that I wanted to see, I read about the central mountain areas and how they are cooler than the coast. I had lived in northern california for many years, it was cooler than southern california, and certainly at night it cooled down nicely. I guess I was imagining the same kind of temperature variability in the mountains of Mexico. What I didn’t know was that I’d be spending the coldest summer I’d ever had in my life in these mountains. It is not like northern cali at all, the elevation and mountains create a completely different climate both day and night, and I’m very glad I brought warmer clothes. I haven’t worn shorts or a sundress in two months now, and the dogs love it!

The rainy season in central Mexico is nothing to trifle with. In California we say the winter is the rainy season. But there, we’re lucky to get rain once or twice a month. Here, the weather is both dramatic and predictable, and more like the monsoon season in Asia. There may be some sun in the morning and then clouds accumulate over the hills and by mid afternoon it usually rains. On really dramatic days it’s a downpour with cracking thunder and brilliant lightning, the increasing wind swaying the tall trees.  I’ve never heard anything like the thunder here before.

Often our electricity goes out for short periods of time and one of the first things I bought for our new house was candles. I keep my electronics pretty well charged for evenings like that. I look across the lake and see who is still lit up and who isn’t. 

My view across the lake is north-east and frequently the storm blows in from the east. I love to watch it obscure, first the otherside of the lake, and then the lake itself, as we are enclosed in the cloud. The dark gray suddenly pierced by an electrifying shot of lightning down to the water right in front of me. Just a second later is the cracking thunder branching out over our heads. I wish I could convince Olive of the beauty.

I’ve come to love this weather. Me, someone emotionally dependent on the daily sun. But I’m happy now, in this completely different life, and not just trying to keep my head above water, and that doesn’t depend on the sunshine. Also, you can drive a few hours and be back in beach weather anytime you like!