I started to write a blog about the ongoing civil war between gringos in (or coming to) Mexico: the invaders, the idealists, the realists. It all started with the following post on a message board:
We are looking to Mexico to retire since I'm over 60. I'm looking for a comfortable life in my old age, and an affordable one. I think I can have that around Puerto Vallarta. At least I hope so. I would like to see the poverty level raised in rural Mexico, but I think that will be a very slow process. Exposure to new ideas will hopefully raise their awareness. They don't need to come to the United States to have a better life, they can create a much better life right where they live.
For a moment, I thought Ross Perot had escaped. The message struck me as the type that really gives Americans a bad name in Mexico. The same poster had commented earlier how she now felt safe to move to Mexico because she was going to live in a gated community. The only thing missing was a comment that she thought President Polk had done a piss-poor job in 1848 of grabbing only half of Mexico.
Then I decided not to go off on a rant. (Or did I just do it?) We all have our personal reasons to move to Mexico. Once we arrive, some of those reasons change. And I know I have made the mistake of being a bit imprecise in some of the messages I send. But we need to remember Mexico belongs to the Mexicans. They do not need our help to develop a society. They have one of their own. We are the guests.
OK. Enough rant. I just want to get down to Mexico and get settled in.
