Thursday, June 29, 2006
Well, Mexico.
We've been here a week, and it has been a fascinating trip. We have met a lot of wonderful people, everyone has been very helpful, my Spanish has taken a quantum leap forward even if I can{t understand TV news commentators yet, and we have found the Mexican infrastructure to be first rate, at least in the few areas where we have been spending time.
We have considered, to a greater or lesser degree, the following cities. Our comments follow - by no means representing careful validation, but what we´ve experienced, read about, or heard from people here:
Guadalajara. No. Big city with all the crowds, traffic, noise and fumes that go with that. Also, hot. And too far away for us to really check out.
Guanajuato. Lovely, precious place - or so we've heard. We really do want to visit there, but didn't have time in our current agenda unfortunately. Limited academic opportunities. Supposedly a wonderful Central Theatre, along with great beauty, views, history, and a small to moderate English-speaking artsy community.
San Miguel Allende. Very attractive, clean, neat, trimmed and yes, it is possible to be here without using a word of Spanish. La Jolla South, but with a rather high average age. Painfully artsy. Lots and lots of do-good volunteer activities, concerts and all to occupy the wealthy retirees. Expensive and still becoming more so. On the plus side, there is a large and very active Unitarian Fellowship - the only one south of the US/Mex border that I know of. I was offered a small job here, teaching an English course on Saturdays for the University of Leon Extension Program.
Queretero. Where we are spending time now, and where we have lengthened our stay. Very appealing - a Mexican city with a European accent, not too many norteamericanos. Spanish is necessary. Very attractive Centro Historico. Three or four Universities, and I expect to talk with a couple of them while we are here - classes taught in English. More pricy than less developed Mexican cities, but there is a reason for that. And if challenging work is available here at, I've heard, a low but respectable salary, living here should be very do-able.
Oaxaca. Heard good things about it, but near the coast so it is HOT, and politically unsettled. There are some teacher's strikes going on now that may stop the National Election there this Sunday. Anyway, it is too far away for us to check out on this trip.
Xalapa (or Jalapa if you prefer). Really sounds appealing, and we were going to check it out before we decided to stay put and get to know Queretaro better, instead. More pricy than less developed Mexican cities, but for a reason. And if challenging work is truly available, living here seems do-able.
So, the comparison of these Mexican cities to Guatemala?
Guatemala City? No, no and no, for reasons of SAFETY and stability and noise and traffic, and the city is so disorganized that there is no decent map of it available. Three months, and I still am unable to drive to the center of the city.
Antigua? Very attractive, with its ruins from the colonial period. But small, and entirely based on tourism and language schools, which is another version of the same thing. No universities and very few teaching opportunities.
Panachajel/Lake Atitlan? Laid back and beautiful. And what do you do after the third week?
We've been here a week, and it has been a fascinating trip. We have met a lot of wonderful people, everyone has been very helpful, my Spanish has taken a quantum leap forward even if I can{t understand TV news commentators yet, and we have found the Mexican infrastructure to be first rate, at least in the few areas where we have been spending time.
We have considered, to a greater or lesser degree, the following cities. Our comments follow - by no means representing careful validation, but what we´ve experienced, read about, or heard from people here:
Guadalajara. No. Big city with all the crowds, traffic, noise and fumes that go with that. Also, hot. And too far away for us to really check out.
Guanajuato. Lovely, precious place - or so we've heard. We really do want to visit there, but didn't have time in our current agenda unfortunately. Limited academic opportunities. Supposedly a wonderful Central Theatre, along with great beauty, views, history, and a small to moderate English-speaking artsy community.
San Miguel Allende. Very attractive, clean, neat, trimmed and yes, it is possible to be here without using a word of Spanish. La Jolla South, but with a rather high average age. Painfully artsy. Lots and lots of do-good volunteer activities, concerts and all to occupy the wealthy retirees. Expensive and still becoming more so. On the plus side, there is a large and very active Unitarian Fellowship - the only one south of the US/Mex border that I know of. I was offered a small job here, teaching an English course on Saturdays for the University of Leon Extension Program.
Queretero. Where we are spending time now, and where we have lengthened our stay. Very appealing - a Mexican city with a European accent, not too many norteamericanos. Spanish is necessary. Very attractive Centro Historico. Three or four Universities, and I expect to talk with a couple of them while we are here - classes taught in English. More pricy than less developed Mexican cities, but there is a reason for that. And if challenging work is available here at, I've heard, a low but respectable salary, living here should be very do-able.
Oaxaca. Heard good things about it, but near the coast so it is HOT, and politically unsettled. There are some teacher's strikes going on now that may stop the National Election there this Sunday. Anyway, it is too far away for us to check out on this trip.
Xalapa (or Jalapa if you prefer). Really sounds appealing, and we were going to check it out before we decided to stay put and get to know Queretaro better, instead. More pricy than less developed Mexican cities, but for a reason. And if challenging work is truly available, living here seems do-able.
So, the comparison of these Mexican cities to Guatemala?
Guatemala City? No, no and no, for reasons of SAFETY and stability and noise and traffic, and the city is so disorganized that there is no decent map of it available. Three months, and I still am unable to drive to the center of the city.
Antigua? Very attractive, with its ruins from the colonial period. But small, and entirely based on tourism and language schools, which is another version of the same thing. No universities and very few teaching opportunities.
Panachajel/Lake Atitlan? Laid back and beautiful. And what do you do after the third week?
