adios
thomas

I agree with lisaloveloca on the laundry issue that is a big one for us here and I can’t wait for the day when we move into a place with a washing machine.

I had major panic attacks about the laundry. I had difficulty finding a do-your-own-laundry laundry mat, then when I did they charge by weight not by machine- so they don’t even let you put your own monedas in the machine, the machines I found to use certainly didn’t get my clothes clean (over recycled water? dunno.) so I found myself scrubbing by hand- I just couldn’t get over the idea of paying someone to do my laundry -it felt so high society or something.

I finally caved and paid to have my laundry done only to be infuriated by things being destroyed or MISSING! Why is it never the tank top from Chedraui that goes missing? Oh no, it’s always the favorite skirt from Old Navy! Arrgh!

I bought a used washing machine QUICKLY after moving here- it is right up there in my favorite possessions!

Funny how, now, so many of these things seem normal!! I swear if I went to a public restroom and there was a toilet seat I wouldn’t know what to do! I’d prolly lift it or something! hahaha!

I hear you on the turkey Heather, I bought an oven for the house in Merida but here at the beach… I think I can do without it and I would have a lot more counter space with just a 2 burner. For the microwave/convection, I think a concrete shelf.

Here in Cancun the houses (well my house at least) does not have a fosa septica. When we renovated our house we gained a good understanding of our sewer lines and they simply lead out to the street and meet the main sewer line that runs down the street, just like what would happen in the US. We DO FLUSH paper in our house. My husband is a licensed architect and studied Cancun’s sewer system when he was in college. He tells me that there’s no reason not to flush paper within the city here.

I pay my water bill ahead. I can’t stand the Aguakan lines (always out the door), so I go in an pay them $800 MXP once a year and that’s that.

For Telmex I always use the little kiosk atm-alike machine. Here in Cancun there’s not usually a line for the machines but there is a line to pay a person.

For CFE I’ve never once stood in line, I just use the machine, and it’s pretty well-designed and works fine.

One thing you didn’t mention in your post is that no one here will take a check. So you pay bills in person in cash or online via credit card, but you never write a check for your phone bill.

I don’t miss junk mail that’s for sure. But I really miss ordering stuff online.

http://www.amatebooks.com

Martina: Yeah, the ants. They come and go, but you sure can’t leave any food out, ever.

KT: I hate that you can’t send me things, too! I can only imagine the awesome stuff you’d send. Oh well, I will be sending myself to you in a couple of months.

Kathy: Oh yes, libraries. I could kick myself for how much I took them for granted. If I moved back to Chicago now, I would be at the library practically daily. I swear.

Fned: I would like to have read blogs from when you first moved to Paris, too. It would have been sort of like your recent Japan blogs, with some in-depth observations.

Marissa: I’ll send you an email…we’re planning a girls “Sex and the City” viewing at Centro Maya on Wednesday.

Nancy: WOW, 5 usd per book?! Steep, but worth it, I suppose, when there are no alternatives. Even if there are English Language bookstores here, they are often jacked up in price, anyway, to cover the duty. I just can’t believe you get Amazon delivery!! What is Amate books? Is it located in Mexico? The door-to-door sales thing, that’s a good one! I do love that, except the knife-sharpening man only blows his whistle when I’m at work, never seems to come around near my house, which is too bad because I need him!

Susie: Oh, yes. The bugs and critters, another thing I’ve gotten totally used to. Geckos all over my house, scorpions, snakes.

I think the toilet paper thing has actually prevented at least one stateside friend from visiting me. When I go back to the states I have marathon paper-flushing sessions when I realize I’ve been tossing them in the trash. Picking each one up by a corner and tossing it in, then flushing them, so no one sees the Mexican-ness of my ways.

And another thing that stateside friends don’t get is when I complain about not having some random thing, they don’t understand why I just don’t go out and get one. Well, duh, it just ain’t that easy down here! We’re miles beyond what it was when I moved here 4 years ago, but still nowhere near the “stuff” convenience of the US.

I still wouldn’t trade it for anything though.

I’ve received a number of pieces of mail here, postman stands outside blowing his whistle. I’ve mailed from here a few times and things have gotten to their destination just fine.

All our bills are delivered through our front gate, but not by the mail. We pay most of them at the grocery store when we’re buying our groceries and the Luz at a little tienda near our spanish class. Megacable we walk over and pay, only because we don’t have a Mexican credit card, (we have a debit card) if we had one we could pay online.

In the States we never had the exterminator come…here we have them come every three months.

I’m amazed at the number of things that are offered for sale door to door. Pastries, Palm trees, dirt, water, gas, corn desserts, Jehovah, tickets to breakfast, and knife sharpening, just to name a few.

Another adjustment for me was my “stock up” syndrome. Cans will rust if you buy too many. Vegetables and fruits – buy what you need for today and tomorrow. Tortillas? Go every day.

However, I do pay electric and cable bills at XoXo. It’s 6 pesos surcharge it’s worth it. The lines are much shorter! Not sure about water or gas b/c mines included in the rent.

Also, H, I was going to call you but realize I don’t have your number! Email me if you can. I’d like to take you out for drinks this week if you are free one night!