18 August 2009
by
Dave Clingman

Andrew and I again visited Mazamitla this weekend.  We wanted to spend more time at the house we are considering buying there, and the lady let us stay there for two nights for $800 (that's pesos, remember, which equals just under $60 USD).  Imagine being able to have full use of a house on an acre of land in a popular vacation spot for just thirty U.S. dollars per night.  Sweet deal.

Being there two days without internet gave us plenty of time to view other properties in the area, to spend some time in the small town, and to simply sit on the porch and enjoy the view.  It gave us time to consider what life would be like there.  It gave us plenty of time to talk about our options.

I'd love to tell you that we made our final decision, but the truth is that we still have to research a few things before we can decide whether or not to buy that place.  The land is Ejido, which means that it can presently be owned only by a Mexican.  It can be converted to Privado land , so that we can own it.  We have to find out how much that conversion process costs, what it entails, and how long it will take.  We also have to research procedure and costs for subdividing land, because we think a viable option for that place would be to make it into four parcels and sell each of them individually.

Now we are back in Guadalajara, back to our usual work and life, and considering our options once again.

Speaking of work, Andrew has been slowly adding classes to his schedule at Mundo Bilingue, so that he now works nearly twenty hours per week when all of his students are in town.  His first class in the morning is at 8:15, and he sometimes finds it challenging to get up and ready for work while it is still dark outside.  His last class ends at 8:15 at night.  Of course, he has several hours off during the day.  The school has promised soon to limit his hours to afternoons and evenings, so that he doesn't have the split day.

Andrew and I finally applied for our FM3's last week, and our follow up appointment is this Friday.  Hopefully, everything is in order, and they'll simply give us our new visas at that time.  Otherwise, they'll give us a list of things we still have to do to obtain the new visas.  The FM3 is the long term non imigrant visa.  It is good for five years but has to be renewed each year.  After the five years we would need to apply again.  This visa gives us a few added benefits that our present tourist visas do not.  For instance, we will no longer have to exit the country and reenter every six months, nor will we have to register our car separately.  We also are able to work in the country, which we are unable to do on our present tourist visas.

Last week Andrew met with the C.E.O. of the City Center Business Association of Guadalajara to discuss the historic Centro district and what can be done to improve it for business and general appearance.  This meeting helps Andrew meet his professional development requirements for his Planning Institute membership back in New Zealand, and there is a chance it might lead to paid employment.  He will submit a paper to the C.E.O. this week with ideas for improving the city center at an urban planning level.

Until next week -- God bless you.
 

Read update 10 August 2009

Read update 28 August 2009

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