Jane (wife) and I have lived in Queensland Australia for the last 25years – we are dual Anglo/Australians. I ‘retired’ from 30yrs in the travel business sometime ago, but Jane has been trying to retire from her VP position … for about 2 years – they keep enticing her to stay! She has finally put her foot down….

We are both well travelled and have lived in a few countries over the years, but my years in travel have shown me not to rely on “travel guides” to give comprehensive information about any country. I realise that all travel brochures and guides are trying hard to ‘sell’ their destination, rather than accurately describe it. So, obviously, all must be seen as sweetness and light. Australia is a prime example of this.

It is seen as “un-Australian” to make derogatory remarks about anything Aussie. The glass-jawed populace get quite hysterical if you hold up a mirror to their shortcomings, and retaliate with venom, (it’s unlikely Harry Connick will be invited back soon!). So to write a book about the realities-of-life, in any country, is indeed quite brave – but totally necessary reading for anyone contemplating an extended residency in said country, to be enlightened beyond the ‘spin’.

I was gladdened, therefore, to find your expose’ on the realities of life in Mexico.

Jane was delighted with All of the insights you provided (I am still absorbing and cross referring all your info at a more leisurely pace) especially regarding medical insurance, bringing a vehicle into the country (we plan to fly into Houston, buy a car there, and drive down) and your experiences with banking and other utility bureaucracies.

Fortunately, we are in a position of retiring fairly comfortably, so we plan to travel all over Mexico, and not necessarily end up in one place. San Miguel de Allende will do nicely, for a few months at least, as an introductory base to explore from.

You may, indeed, use any of my comments/name in your referencing, if you consider them worthy of inclusion.

Kindest regards,
–Graham Papworth, Australia

Graham,

Thank you very much for granting permission to use your comments on my web site.

I was surprised at how “shallow” the available information about Mexico was when we were planning our move in 2001. It was so fluffy it was useless to me when I was adjusting to Mexico. I finally had to write the book I needed–and all the credit for the depth of the book goes to my husband, of course. Whenever I thought I had it all figured out, he always had more to say on a topic!

Congratulations on beginning a comfortable retirement! Mexico is going to be a great place to be–especially since you are experienced travelers.

Kindest Regards,
Julia C Taylor

With her permission, here is a little of what she had to say about the book in her email to me:

I have to say it helped me in so many ways.

I loved the section on culture and it helped me to not feel like such a dummy when I read some of your stories about you and others you know.

Thank you so much for your book. …[A]fter reading it, I feel so privileged that you let me read it.

Again I can’t thank you enough or explain how much this has helped me to cope.

Amanda

I’m so glad to know that other people find my book as useful as I thought it would be when I was writing it!

You can read Hernandez’ review of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here on her blog and you can get your own copy of the guide on how adjust to life in Mexico here on my web site.

I love your book.

I am hoping to move to Cuernavaca in about 2 1/2 years…..jajajajajaj….but who is counting…jajajajaja

I couldn’t resist and I wrote him back asking what it was that he liked most about the book.

He answered:

Oh wow….what I loved were the stories you told about Cuernavaca.  Since I lived in Cuernavaca for two weeks with a Mexican family and have visited a lot of the sites that you talk about….your stories really came to life…..the sights, the sounds, the smells……Wowwwwwwwww

Thanks again!
Allen

He has very kindly given me permission to post his words on my blog.

The thanks go to you, Allen.

“I love what you have done with your book. I wish I had had this when I first moved to Tepoztlan in 1993 (I lived there 3 + years and Puerto Juarez 3 more years). I taught classes and workshops/trainings in NLP, communications and body therapy.

“A book like yours would have facilitated several of the embarrassing “gringo” situations I experienced. AND saved me a lot of ‘personal experience’ learning.

“Good for you!

“Sincerely, Daniel”

If anyone on your Christmas list wants to retire in Mexico, you should give them my book! You don’t even have to leave your house to buy it. You can download it right this minute and either print it out or burn it on a CD (please respect my copyright and only make one copy) and you’ll have one loved one checked off of your Christmas gift shopping list! How easy and thoughtful.

HO-HO-HO

FELIZ NAIVDAD JO-JO-JO