Dateline: Decisionland
I’ve done it. After months, perhaps even years of indecision, I’ve done it.
I’ve booked a one-way flight to Mexico City. I’ll be leaping out of Boston and into the great unknown on January 12th, 2016. Wish me luck.
Of course, those of you who’ve read along for a while know I have a certain flair for the dramatic. And I’m not letting you down today. You see, it has been nearly two years since my Great Mexican Roadtrip, undertaken in my trusty Toyota pickup. As those of you who read along know, it was a truly amazing adventure. And it’s been one I have wanted to repeat, albeit with some different destinations.
But how? Sure, I could just get back in the truck and head west on the MassPike and retrace my steps from the last trip. But part of me has hesitated. Frankly, with the exception of a few highlights like New Orleans, (one of my better posts, IMHO) seeing friends in Houston, and a couple of other interesting sights along the way, I didn’t much enjoy the US leg of the trip. And that doesn’t mention the fact that just getting to Laredo is a nearly week-long effort, and with gasoline, hotels, and meals costs about $750, one-way. And I definitely didn’t enjoy the return part of the US leg either. In one last, desperate effort to finally get home at the end of that roadtrip, I ended up making a marathon 15-16 hour drive from Knoxville, TN to Boston, driving through pelting rain nearly the entire time, and arrived home, completely spent, at 3:00 AM. Nope. Don’t want to do that again. Also, since I’m going to be leaving in January, it’ll be harder to avoid snow. While the interstates are generally well-cleared, the fact of the matter is that in the end, man is no match for Mother Nature when she gets cranky. And spending hours stuck on an interstate in a blizzard is one experience I have no desire to try. Not even once.
Admittedly, I will be giving up some convenience and freedom. I loved driving around Mexico, with its lovely vistas of volcanoes, open fields, and other interesting terrain along with the ability to stop wherever and whenever I wanted. And I only had to schlep a lot of stuff between my truck and a hotel, rather than dragging suitcases through town. But the Mexican bus system is excellent and can get you everywhere, since many Mexicans don’t own cars. They manage somehow, and so will I. Of course I can always rent cars too, and typically at less than fifteen dollars a day, it’s a pretty reasonable alternative if I want to visit a remote ruin or some other place off the beaten path.
Aside from just getting away and doing some traveling, I have some other goals for the trip. First, Edgar needs my help. As it turns out, he went ahead and purchased the store where he works, but didn’t tell me about it until a year later. As you might recall, he most definitely did not want my advice on the initial purchase. I think he just wanted the store so badly that he was basically willing to throw all caution to the wind. But the former owner ended up agreeing to a series of payments over three years to finance the transaction. All of this was unbeknownst to me until September when Edgar told me he had “three confessions to tell me.” One of them was the purchase of the store. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I asked him. “I thought you’d be mad,” he replied. “Mad? It’s your life; I was just trying to help you make the best purchase possible.” Since that September conversation, I have become more involved in the business, doing various bits of financial work for him, and helping him to analyze the (scant) data that he did have on sales and expenses. And now that he has run the business for more than a year, he’s come to realize that maybe I do have something to contribute after all. So I’ll probably spend a couple weeks as an in-house consultant. I’ve already done some work on point-of-sale systems.
The second goal is to try to develop some clarity on whether I can ever get off my duff and move to Mexico, if only seasonally. I’ve redoubled my “fantasy real estate shopping,” both in DF and in Zacatecas, if only to better understand the market. But I have been (rightfully, it turns out) nervous about the prospect of the peso continuing to decline. And I’m fairly convinced that such a decline is likely to continue, possibly terminating in some kind of panic where the peso gets marked down to ridiculous levels. That day, if it comes, will be the time to strike. Of course that topic by itself could be a very long essay. But the import here is that I’m inching away from the idea of a near-term purchase and closer to the idea of renting. After all, who wants to buy property only to see its value plummet immediately, if only via currency?
A recent perusal of online rentals in Zacatecas turned up a three-bedroom house at the edge of the Centro Historico available for $265 (USD) a month. Frankly, it’s kind of a crappy house, but it does have a garage, a nice view of the Centro (as far as I can tell), and is in a neighborhood I like (Mexicapan). For any number of reasons, it probably won’t be the house that I rent, but it does give me a good sense of what’s available, most of which is astonishingly cheap by Gringo standards. And by renting something in Zacatecas, I could kill two birds with one stone, simultaneously figuring out whether I could really live in Zacatecas, and having an adventure if nothing else.
Likely view from above house:
Needless to say, details are all up in the air. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in Tehuacán or what might transpire there. Edgar and I are officially “not” boyfriends, though it certainly seemed otherwise when I was with him in DF in June for Gay Pride. Still, after he confessed to buying the store, we had a *very* frank conversation about many things including “us,” whereby I told him that adorable as he is, he is simply too young for me. Full stop. There’s a more than twenty year age difference; in my mind that is unbridgeable. He took it well, but despite that there’s still a high level of ambiguity in the relationship. So we’ll see what happens. The potential for drama abounds.
Oh, and the return? Well, I paid only $150 for the outbound flight, and before I fully committed to it, I checked returns. Most weeks in February and March, I can fly back to Boston on a one-way ticket for $183. Given that I consider a $400 round-trip to DF to be a pretty decent price, and have often paid more than $500, what is essentially a round trip with an open return date for $330 seems like the deal of the century.
So in less than a month, more Mexican adventures await. I’m on the edge of my seat!
If anyone has any experience with flying in on a one-way ticket, a comment would be especially appreciated. (Does Mexican immigration care?)
Cat M said:
Woohoo! Not long until you’re off to the great unknown. :o) What an awesome way to start the New Year.
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Kim G said:
Hola Cat! Thanks for the encouragement. I’m still wondering what the nature of my trip will be, particularly the first bit. But only time will tell. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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Unconfirmed Bachelorette said:
You’re going! Kim, I am so excited for you. And for me, because I get to read all about it.
Ella in Austin
Where we love adventures, ambiguity, and drama.
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Kim G said:
Hola Ella! Well, thank you for your faith in my future posts. I know I have a high standard to live up to. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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Steve Cotton said:
As you know, the house with no name and the puppy with one look forward to introducing themselves to you. Winter in Barra de Navidad is great. And you can have refuge from the northern tourists in town.
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Kim G said:
Hola Steve! I’d love to make it to Melaque. I just have to figure out the best way of going, and of course, timing. Saludos y Gracias!
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Andean said:
Timing the escape of the our near future cold winter is critical. Seems like you have it right. Still rain coat weather here, but in a month or so who knows!!
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Kim G said:
Hola Andean! Tomorrow I will have been in California for a week, but before I left, it was absurdly warm in Boston. Of course last winter, by mid-January everyone was saying how tolerable it was. And then the deluge hit. So I’m not counting any chickens before they’re hatched this year. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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Cat M said:
P.S. It was in the late 90s, but back then I flew on a one-way ticket many times and never had a problem. If they questioned me, which they did NOT most of the time, I just told them I was staying with a friend for several weeks and wasn’t positive when I was returning.
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Kim G said:
Hola Cat, thanks for the info on the one-way tickets. I’ve heard tales of people having to buy return tickets. If I had to, I’d buy a refundable ticket and then return it. But I’d rather not have to play such a silly game. Saludos and thanks for your comments.
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Cat M said:
Kim, I am so happy to hear about your upcoming trip. I will be looking forward to your updates and pics from México. I know YOU won’t leave me on the edge. Ha! 😉
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Kim G said:
Hola Cat! Well, I won’t leave you on edge for longer than it takes to get through a post, anyway. But I’m not above short-term suspense, hahaha. And I’m dying to have some new material to write about. Saludos!
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Nancy Dardarian said:
I can’t wait to hear about your adventures! We are off ourselves for Christmas week with the family in Roma Norte/Tepotzlán. Should be fun. Hope you come to Mazatlán sometime before you head home…
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Kim G said:
Hola Nancy! I’d love to come to Mazatlán if it’s practicable. As you know, I’ve been somewhat averse to going in the summer, but winter is the perfect time. I’ve long been dying to meet you and Paul. Saludos y Feliz Navidad!
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florentinogutierrezr said:
Hola, Kim… your truly have more that a flair for the dramatic, your talent is exquisite and I think we all love it, if you could just see me here biting my nails and my mind running from one thing to the other: the weather in Zacatecas, the Tehuacan business, the buses in DF, are we boyfriends or not?, poor gringos stuck in a blizzard — I just can’t wait for the next season of the telenovela to begin. You should come up with a nice title for that telenovela! I celebrate your decision to rent a house in Zacatecas… it is great because you can have a good taste of the place for as long as you want without having to commit to stay there forever. I see that you and one of your readers like to say “Zacatecas”. It has a nice sound. The word apparently comes from the nahuatl “zacatl” (grass) and “tecatl” (people) — that’s one version. In northern Mexico we call “zacate” what in DF and other areas is called “pasto”: an extension of land covered with grass. There is also an expression we use when someone is afraid to do something and expresses his/her intention to back out. We say to this person “no le saques”… and we call him a “zacatón” or “zacatecas”. “Zacató” is something like easily scared… so with your purchase of a one-way ticket your definitely no “zacatón”. Abrazos.
PS I’d like to ask for your opinion about the peso later, when you have time…
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Kim G said:
Hola Tino! You are too kind, really. But I’m glad you enjoy the blog. It wouldn’t be much fun if I didn’t get great comments like yours. The bit about the name of Zacatecas and the zacatón is quite interesting. It seems that Monterrey has its own slang that’s distinct from DF, which is very interesting too.
And yes, I’m happy to talk about the peso any time you want. Saludos y abrazos!
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redshoesarebetterthanbacon said:
Zacatecas in the winter? Only someone from Boston would do that.
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Kim G said:
Hola Ms Shoes! I’ve been watching the weather in Zacatecas and the evening lows lately have been 37°F, which is not comfortable, but *way* better than Boston in the winter. (Though at the moment, Boston is absurdly warm for this time of year.) I do worry a bit about chilly temps and lack of heat though. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
Check this link for a story about the warmth:http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-18/as-summer-birds-reject-migration-south-a-dangerous-trap-is-set
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William said:
Hurray, Kim!
I wholeheartedly agree with your decision to fly down. The nearly two weeks it would take you to drive down and back could be much more enjoyably spent in Mexico. And the expense of driving should more than cover the cost of a rental car when you want to do some exploring of less accessible places. Also, you might as well take advantage of the bargain airfares to D.F. (Even my travel agent was astonished by the fares.)
Looking forward to seeing you in D.F. this winter!!
¡Saludos!
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Kim G said:
Hola Bill! Yeah, I couldn’t believe the airfares. For travelers, we are in a sweet spot of ever-lower fuel prices and the beginnings of softer demand for travel. Combine that with a super-strong USD and there is really no better time to be traveling abroad. And yes, I’m looking forward to seeing you too. Saludos!
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garydenness said:
It’s been two years? How time flies. We look forward to reading about your adventure. We look more forward still to having our own Mexican adventure in 2016….
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William said:
Gary, what time of year in 2016 are you planning on traveling to Mexico? It would be great if our paths crossed there!
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garydenness said:
No date is set yet, but I’d like to be there for either Independence Day or Day of the Dead. Probably the latter. It would be good to meet up if we do happen to be in roughly the same place at the same time. All the better still if Kim happens past. And Steve Cotton….and others!
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Kim G said:
Well…if I’m there on those dates, I will have surely returned to Boston first and returned. However, let me know; meeting up with you guys would be a great excuse to fly down. Saludos!
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William said:
Gary, for the last 4 years I have been spending the first two weeks of November in D.F. So maybe we will have a chance to meet!
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Kim G said:
Hola Gary! I left Boston on March 18, 2014 for my great adventure. And I’m with you; it doesn’t seem that long ago. Many of the adventures are still fresh in my mind. So you’re heading to Mexico in 2016? Maybe we could meet up. Let me know. Saludos!
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garydenness said:
I will certainly let you both know a date when I have one! And flying down to DF for a photowalk sure is cheaper than flying to London…!
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Kim G said:
That thought did cross my mind, hahaha… Though I have another friend who is also pestering me about flying to London. So never say “never.”
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Charles said:
Sounds great! We were in NYC last February and I can definitely understand your desire to escape the Northeast in winter…Fabian had never seen snow and we saw and walked through more than enough. And advising Edgar on the business will be good for both of you…keep an open mind and heart…a 20-year age gap is far from insurmountable…we have done it and it has been the absolute best 5 years of my life!
Renting initially rather than buying is a wise decision…everyone who has made the move recommends it. Personally I have no desire to buy property down here…for several reasons.
Have a good holiday season…your airfare is a bargain…they are to be found if you do some research…we paid $300 each RT from DF to NYC…hopefully we can finally meet up this trip although Fabian just started a job as a graphic artist for one of the major newspapers here in GDL…6 days a week…so it will be awhile before he gets any vacation time.
Take care…keep us posted!
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Kim G said:
Hola Charles! Wow, a San Diegan and a Mexican decide to visit NYC in February?!?! You guys are brave…or something. Was it February 2015? The snowiest February in recorded history? If so, consider yourselves double “brave…or something,” hahaha. And yes, it’d be lovely to meet some day. Saludos and thanks for your comment!
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LaurieLaGringa said:
This sounds like fun! I am rooting for Zacatecas, even if it’s just because I like saying Zacatecas. I once got caught driving through Z-town in Mexico with friends, in which we almost perished in a flash flood. Be careful, hombre!
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Kim G said:
Hola Laurie! That’s funny, I also love saying “Zacatecas.” I don’t know, there something kind of magical about that word. Flash flood? Are you sure you aren’t mixing it up with Guanajuato, which was built, at least partially, on the bed of a river? Saludos!
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LaurieLaGringa said:
It was a long time ago. Perhaps, you are right. Anyway, I survived! Glad you are off towards a new adventure!
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Kim G said:
Well, the important thing indeed is that you survived. But if I’m there during a storm, I’ll think of you as I flee to higher ground. Saludos!
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John Calypso said:
It’s about time. It is always fun following your adventures south of the border.
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Kim G said:
Hola John! I’m looking forward to it too, but trying to come to grips with things like the fact that there will be no room to haul coffee-making equipment with me or other bulky stuff. Or maybe I just need to get a bigger suitcase. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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ladyofthecakes said:
Has it really been TWO years since that road trip???
One-way ticket + in-house consultant + all-around ambiguity = flat-out adventure
Am liking the new formula 😉
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Kim G said:
Hahahah….I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Simone. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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Kim G said:
P.S. Yes, I left on March 18th, 2014 for the first trip.
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ladyofthecakes said:
Well, I shall look forward to your next rash of Mx posts 🙂
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Kim G said:
Well thank you! I’m looking forward to generating the material.
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colm54 said:
Lucky wretch,
I hope to visit Merida in February, flight from Vancouver is the best part of $2500 return for two! It actually works out cheaper to stay at a hotel for a week plus the two flights than the flights alone!
Seriously though, have a wonderful trip, be safe and bring your camera…
Colm
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Kim G said:
Hola Colm! Wow, that sounds like a lot of money for the trip, but I’m sure you’ve looked into. Though I haven’t done exhaustive research, I’m convinced that Cancun and Mexico City are the cheapest places to fly into Mexico. Maybe Toluca is the third. Thanks for the comment, and you can be sure I’ll be snapping pics. Saludos!
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Dana Jennings said:
Houston to Queretero was $269 RT, but I hesitated and ended up paying $300 RT, dec. 1st-ish. QRO is worth having on auto check.
I missed the post, what type of store E bought?
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Kim G said:
Hola Dana! Doesn’t sound like you did too badly on airfare. As for Edgar’s store, it sells archangel figurines, incense, jewelry, crystals, and various new-age bric-a-brac. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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colm54 said:
One of the problems related to living off the map, ha ha just kidding. I live on Vancouver Island. Flying to anywhere from here is expensive!
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Mani (A New Life Wandering) said:
Wow! Cool! Good luck with everything!
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Kim G said:
Thanks, Mani! I’m looking forward to it. Saludos!
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Penny said:
YEAH YOU!! p
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Kim G said:
Hola Penny! Mexico is my Florida! Enjoy your own trip south. Saludos!
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Marc said:
Sounds like an interesting trip. Have fun.
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Kim G said:
Hola Marc! I feel very badly that I’ll miss a lot of snow, ice, and dangerous driving conditions, but someone’s gotta do it, right? Saludos and thanks for stopping by.
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Angeline M said:
This is fabulous, that you are doing this! And what a grand adventure. I definitely wish you the best of luck, and can’t wait to read all about it.
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Kim G said:
Thanks Angeline! I’m eager to go, really, it has been far too long. Saludos and thanks for stopping by!
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