Life's Been Good To Us So Far!

We now have a temporary resident visa for Mexico. Getting it took quite a bit of persistence (and Brant was fantastic at figuring out how to go about it). Also, having Mark and Alison’s input and encouragement was priceless. The hardest part was getting an appointment at the Mexican consulate in Sacramento… to be kind and perhaps truthful we will blame it on the pandemic. After many weeks/months we each got appointments in Sacramento. After completing that process of filling out forms, brief interviews, fees, photos and fingerprints we headed to Mexico with our papers.

Brant wisely encouraged us to sign up to have Marta “help” us through the process. With shopping and beach walks in Cabo planned as well, we headed to Cabo for a 2 day shot to complete the process.

And we did! On the first day we filled out more paperwork at her tiny office, then Marta (with her perfect Spanish) did the initial processing while we did home shopping and sipped cocktails in the pool. She then called to tell us we were ready to complete the process.

Paperwork in hand, with an interpreter at our side ( I firmly believe they speak another language when talking quickly), over the course of about an hour or so we answered questions, photographed and fingerprinted … and walked out with a new card. We even went to the restaurant Martha recommended where we had a delicious lunch that was about 5 bucks.

So what does this mean? We can set up a bank account, bring in more household goods and my favorite…. get in the “resident line” at the airport in Mexico at customs.

So no crazy wild stories about the process… all went pretty smoothly (thanks to Marta). But most importantly we bought a new couch.

So many complain they don’t like Cabo anymore, but it’s still a beautiful place and a good “city fix” when you live in LB. It still amazes us how much it has changed from when we were first came here 33 years. Then there was no marina and a handful of small hotels and restaurants… and even fewer paved roads. Now it’s a filled with mega resorts and everything that comes with a resort city. The beach, the rock formations, and the crashing surf remain just as beautiful.

Alison had to go home and work (boo) but she got home safe and sound (yay). Wendy, Mark and I are getting up early to exercise before it gets too hot. Today we rode our bicycles–first around a local neighborhood, then to the local coffee shop and finally to the beach for a quick swim. Now Wendy is putting beans in the crock pot for dinner (when she’s supposed to be studying), Mark is “working on his house plans” with his eyes closed probably and I am being productive writing in out blog. This is a hard life but someone has to do it.

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My laptop is in my lap in the car….. today is hopefully the last day of a long  (but beautiful) drive.  I am taking a break from listening to lectures about ICU medicine, which is amazingly boring but then how do I make this blog interesting?.  Thus far, another great trip.  A definite rhythm! Drive, eat, drive, unpack, drink, swim, eat, sleep, repeat x 4 days. So first the brief summary:

Day one: Shingle Springs to El Centro, California (not a lovely town, but it has a Marriot and it’s 5 minute from the border):

      Highlights: Spectacular scenery 395—-why have we not stayed in Bridgeport? Next time….

      Bad stuff: A check engine lights appears in Mark and Al’s truck

      Good stuff: Check engine light gave me time to get some thank you notes done (but so sorry I am so behind–please know I am very thankful and not easy to mail stuff from Mexico)

Day two: El Centro to Bahia de Gonzaga

      Highlights: Made it thru the border crossing with no glitches—-we declared, our amigos did not (due to their precision shopping).  The border agent appeared somewhat dismayed by the appearance of our truck. In total, it was a 30 minute stop with very patient customs agents.

This was our third stay at Alfonsina’s, despite poor water supply, no AC until 8 PM, thrift store decorating techniques with teeny tiny packets of shampoo —BUT spectacular peaceful beach, and delicious margaritas sipped on a perfect elipse of a beach. No better place for a long walk or to float in the waves.  Most importantly——it is there (where there nothing else is)! And there is little store to stock up on tequila (at least 40 kinds but no Pepsi or Dr. Pepper) before we start our next drive.  

Day three:  Seems odd but we must drive from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean then back again to the sea of Cortez to get to LB. (Steep cliffs and mountains made it impossible to put in a direct road). There is only one road so the choice is easy! Many mountains—covered with cactus and rock, a good road though somewhat narrow. As we reach the Pacific the temp drops by 15 degrees–and this is one of 2 lagoons where the whales come each year to birth their babies. We then head back into the mountains to stop for lunch at the oasis of San Ignacio.  So surprising to see all the water and lush plants in the middle of desert.  Makes sense that the Spanish setters built a mission and a church here in the 1700’s! The best part was the fresh mango sorbet from a little shop before we jumped back in the car.

From there, back down (and we do mean down) the mountains to the Sea of Cortez and true working towns, long shipping piers, and mines. Santa Rosalia has some sort of French background with some very tasty (and yes cheap) bakeries.

Finally we arrived at Bahia de Concepcion, to stay at Playa Frambes, an immaculate cottage with 2 bedrooms, pool, beach, and breakfast. Perfect after a long drive!

Day 4: LB here we come! The roads are wider but this only causes people to pull over onto to wide shoulders to create a third lane for passing.  Oh my….it is legal for the passenger to drink in the car?  Feels like we are home when we hit El Triunfo…..wait a minute, we are home!

Questions about checkpoints: (what everyone asks)

How many are there? About 5

Are they scary? Not unless it scares you to have a military man standing 10 feet from your car with an automatic pointed downward. (He just stands there while the other guy asks questions—-where are you going? Why are you going? What do you have back there? )

How long does it take? It depends. Some were unmanned and we just drove through. Some took one look at our jam-packed car and motioned us through. Sometimes however they made the dreaded request of opening the tailgate.

Once the gentlemen (a twenty something) asked Brant as they stood by the tailgate, “Do you have any guns or ammunition?” (This is what they are looking for as they check each vehicle). Brant said, “No”. The guard leaned toward the tailgate with the imminent threat of it all tumbling out on him if he moved even one object, then muttered to himself in perfect English , “How the the hell would I know?” before telling Brant he could go.

Well, as it turns out Jude showed no appreciation for sharing his home with another cat – no matter how cute. (Thanks for giving it your best try Wendy P.) He had a smug look of satisfaction on his face when he returned home which very quickly dissipated when we headed down the hill to foster parent number two. Thanks to Tricia, in the nick of time, we found the perfect fit. A lovely home and yard all under the management of the very kind Sydney, (who was formally catless). Jude appears to be very happy and has settled into his favorite activities of begging for kitty crack , bird hunt dreams on the windowsill and sleeping under the bed with paws sticking out. I miss Jude following me around as my QA monitor and his urgent requests for me to sit down so he can plop down in my lap for a quick rub down but so very glad he is with a human (sin gato) who can watch him do his cute thing and get his kisses. Sydney, don’t let him forget how to do his “cute thing.”…. wd

We made it to Los Barriles after a beautiful and easy drive down the Baja. Internet access is spotty though and since we arrived we have been very busy with all the details of setting up a home in a new country. We have much to share so watch this space.

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We are currently in the process of packing up and getting ready for our move.