I expect San Miguel to be a bit over-gringofied with aging wealthier retirees, many of whom have not fully embraced Mexican customs, language, or culture. A bit precious, like Santa Fe or Carmel perhaps. There are, however, people there to whom I may relate, including an excentric artist who has created an indulgent compound and exuberant life with his partner of many years. In fact, I plan to help this artist, Anado, prepare his latest gallery and studio venue for its formal opening a little over a week from now.
Guanajuato on the other hand I expect to offer little concession to a non-Mexican. Little English spoken, and few accomodations to our bland homogenized Northern sensibilities. But there too, I have identified a number of possible like-minded people who I look forward to meeting and learning from. What led them to choose this life, and how has that worked out for them so far? I have arranged to stay at a little apartment that is part of a U.S. guy's effort to develop a little eco-farm complex near the center of town.
I am aprehensive about this journey into an unfamiliar area, with some risks to person and property. I do not travel well, no matter what the location. But I am going to look for the bright features that might suggest a good alternative to the descent into darkness and dysfunction that is occuring all around us here in the U.S. While the ugly side of this more Northern American life is getting to be harder all the time to disregard, I am going to try to follow the example of 19th century author and explorer Francis Hopkinson Smith, who in his book A White Umbrella in Mexico said of his extensive exploration and Mexican experiences, "I have delighted my soul with the swaying of the lilies in the sunlight, the rush of the roses crowding over mouldy walls, the broad-leaved palms cooling the shadows, and have wasted none of my precious time searching for the lizard and the mole crawling at their roots."
Posts
1 comment:
Hi Stan - I found my way to your blog after you left your comment on mine and wanted to contact you. My wife and I have lived in Colorado (Boulder, Cañon City, etc.) most of our married lives and have also tried living in numerous low-cost retirement havens (we currently own a small place in Silver City NM). We have lived, cumulatively, for two years in Mexico (at Lake Chapala) and explored the country extensively.
We are premature quasi-forced early retirees (corporate politics) who have been looking for 7 years now for a place where we can live a decent life on well under $2000 total per month. It sounds like costs and voluntary (or involuntary) simplicity are issues for you as well. I've been tracking costs carefully for places like Silver City and Tucson (about as low as you can go for life in the lower 48) vs. Mexico and am happy to share info. My email is ekknox@gmail.com
I love your Titanic analogy and agree with you. Being arms length from U.S. politics is one advantage of living here in Mexico. There are plenty of artists, lots of lefty agitators and budget retirees in San Miguel, along with the snobs and those who need to rattle their jewelry at the opera to feel alive. Overall the expat community here is much more engaged with Mexico and speaks far more Spanish than in any of the other gringo enclaves.
The big opportunities to save money here vs. the U.S. are food (half the price for far better quality), medical care and insurance (THE issue for many of us - no need for insurance and affordable out-of-pocket care) and in the case of San Miguel (but not Lake Chapala and some other locales) no need for a car.
Good luck with your travels and let me know if I can be of help.
Kevin
Post a Comment