friday twofer

I threw caution to the wind on Friday.


I decided to try to do two major tasks in one day.


Finish up my FM3 (visa) renewal and get the window in my truck replaced.


I thought the window was going to be done earlier in the week.  But there were problems shipping the replacement glass from wherever it came from.  While we were in Puerto Vallarta, the truck sat in my courtyard.


Friday morning, Lou and Wynn showed up in the early morning to drive me to Manzanillo to finish the FM3 process.  They needed to go to the same office to renew their FM3s.


In the hope that the glass had arrived, we left my truck at the glass shop before it opened -- and headed south.


The good news is that I have my FM3.  All the office needed from me was my land lady's identification.  I am now good for another year.


By the way, those of you who have FM3s, I was told that next year, the application will be online, and starting in May, cards are supposed to be issued.  Both will be a nice change. 


Several expatriates have been stopped by police recently on the highways and asked for their papers.  I carry a copy of my passport, FM3, and tax-free certification in the truck.  I guess I need to update my visa copy -- as if I am going to be driving anywhere in the next week.


As quick as my process was, Lou and Wynn had their renewed FM3s in their hands when we left.  Probably, no more than an hour of processing.  No need to return.


We then did something I have wanted to do for the past year -- have breakfast with friends on the main square in Manzanillo.  It was exactly as I imagined having breakfast would be in a large Mexican town.  People.  Traffic. Life.  All accompanied with a great lingua de res con salsa verde.


I have seriously thought of moving to the central part of Manzanillo when I return.


We then headed back to Melaque to see if task two had been completed.  When we drove up, I thought I could see an open space where a window should be.  I was wrong.  The window was there.


I was a bit surprised at the repair cost: $1400 (MX), or about $114 (US).  The labor costs were minimal.  But some parts can be quite expensive down here.  Including side replacement windows.


But my truck is now ready to face its storage in Mexico during the rainy season.


The shop looked at my radio, but they could do nothing to get it to operate.  I will either take it to the Ford dealer in Manzanillo before I fly out next Saturday or simply leave it for one of the tasks to be accomplished upon my return.


These are the types of days I love in Mexico.  Come to think of it, they are the types of days I love -- even if I had failed with both tasks.