My first answer I thought would be quick and easy. As I spend more time reflecting on what, or how, I will answer the question became much more complicated.
First let me say that reaching the decision to leave one's family (especially the children and grandchildren) plus friends is one which was not taken lightly. After a several years of study I believe we came to the best choice.
No, I am not fed up with the government. However, I do believe we are in need of some changes.
Let me state, we, Americans have the best country on earth. We have some problems. However, WE WILL FIX THEM! We don't have a choice. They will be fixed or we as the greatest nation on earth will cease to exist.
How this decision was reached is one in which many personal issues and preferences were entertained. For example, how much will it cost to move, set up a home, and live? What to do with home and furnishings: sell or rent? What do you take? What do you sell, give away or store? We do tend to accumulate things over time.
What do you plan to do with your leisure time? Can you find things of interest to do? Will you travel while living there? Where would one go to church? How would you communicate with home and at what cost How will you deal with transportation? How often do you plan to return home, and at what cost? What if there was an emergency here, or back home ... either physical or financial ... how is it dealt with? How fast, and at what cost, would you be able to get home? How do you handle medical care/medicines? All of these questions were reviewed and dealt with. To not do so will, in my opinion set one up for some very difficult times.
One very large question remains, where is home now? I remember when our youngest son was five we went through several tough years ... we had to move a lot. One day Drew ask Kay "mommy, where is home?" Her excellent reply was "wherever mommy and daddy are." You see, it doesn't matter where you live. If there is love, you're home. Wherever Kay is, that's home for me.
Now lets deal with the elephant in the room. Security, or the lack there of. Please let me state unequivocally that I have now, nor will I in the future take unnecessary risks with my life or Kay's. Having said that understand a few rules we follow.
1. I don't travel at night. Why you ask? Because Mexico has open range laws, too much live stock, and at times too poor fences. Too many people driving without proper lights, reflectors on there cars, motorcycle's, bicycle's. Street lights that don't always work as one might think they should. That doesn't mean that I would not drive to the pharmacia to get some meds if the need arose. For reference please note my musing Driving While Still Alive in Mexico.
2. I do not visit bars on any regular basis day or night. Having said that doesn't mean I never have a beverage with dinner.
3. I follow to the best of my ability all the laws of Mexico.
4. I am careful with whom I spend my time. Is this beginning to sound like an OLD PERSON? Don't answer that.
I live in a community where I see women Mexican and Americian walking alone on the streets both day and night . I have talked with many women who tell me that they feel perfectly safe here walking are riding the buses alone. I know of no deaths in this area in the last 30 years. Is there crime, drugs? I am sure. If it's drugs I would guess the vast preponderance would be some old 60's hippy pulling on a toke.
The point I am trying to make is this. Is Mexico dangerous YES, so is the good old USA. I am very careful to avoid places where I would have contact with people who might do me harm. Please don't tell me you go any where you please day or night with out thinking of the danger. Of course not.
Now for the answer to my question. Why I Moved to Mexico?
First a quick diversion. The word wanderlust comes from the German meaning "to wander." I remember when my wanderlust started I was living in a small town Childersburg, Alabama. Going to elementary school (the fourth grade) we had a small library in our building. This was my first introduction to National Geographic magazine. I know, you thought 4th grade boys only looked at NG to see pictures of the topless African women.
From that day forward I went to that library as often as they would let me. Being dyslexic, and not knowing it, I looked at pictures a lot, because reading was difficult. I found a big world out there I had no idea existed. I knew if possible I would see and experience as much of that great big world as I possibly could.
I have lived in three countries and travel to many others. I find different cultures to be both interesting and stimulating. I found many good and a few bad people everywhere I have been. Beside the universal language, a smile and laughter has always worked. According to Kay, since I am a male all I have to do to communicate is point and grunt. Works for me.
Remember: God only gives us a certain number of days, I plan not to waste the ones I have left.
Until we talk again.
Mike
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