It can be bad. I certainly wouldn’t want to take those guys on. They know each other and back each other up. I’m surprised you filed a complaint. Obviously their actions are sanctioned from higher up (the higher ups probably get a portion of their “bites”) and it’s the higher ups that are really scary. Take it easy so you don’t get in over your head.

Julia

Congratulations on your upcoming move to Ajijic. Will you be in Mexico by the time the days get shorter and the temperatures drop?

It’s true. Shipping goods is not something that I address in my web site. My book Mexico: The Trick is Living Here has a section on getting the permission from Mexican immigration to bring your goods. Still, that isn’t quite what you ask about here and you have an excellent point.

I personally don’t know any tricks, but I have talked to someone who works for an international shipping company and the general idea that they gave me is that customs is a bit unpredictable. I think your best bet is to find a company that does a lot of shipping from Canada to Mexico. They have to know of any “tricks” if there are some. I know this isn’t quite the answer you had hoped for because it’s hard to trust people who get paid if your stuff is sitting there waiting!

Why not see if you can get a recommendation for a trustworthy, experienced shipping company from other expatriates? You could try posting the same question on one of the expatriate forums on line. Some of them are really terrible, but there are some that are worth your while. You can find them by searching for “Mexico expatriate forum” on Google or other web search engine. (Don’t forget to look at the first few pages of search results, rather than stopping after the first and try more than one.)

Another thought that I have is that the clothing you mention may be a problem. The re-sale of used clothing from the U.S. is prohibited and Mexican customs routinely stops clothing from entering Mexico from the north (who knows if they see any difference if it comes from Canada). For example, I could not mail myself my own used clothes. Period. I am assuming that you already have your “menaje de casa” and your FM3. It might be a good idea to ask immigration about customs and if they have any recommendations — especially where it concerns your clothes.

Here is the web site for Aduana: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx . I’ve been looking around in the site for anything that looks like it would address your question and haven’t found anything. You could try contacting them, though I’d be shocked if they actually replied to an email and the telephone number listed is for people calling from inside Mexico.

Phew! Are you ready to move to Mexico? It’s often this hard to answer questions.

On a lighter note, Mexican customs may be busy, but they don’t slow your items down just to be a pain. They want people to come to Mexico. If you have your paperwork done they way THEY want it done, you should be fine.

In response to your request for tips on living in Mexico, I first make a “Mexican noise” that sounds a bit like a dying bird. “eeeeeeeee” they say. I make that noise because my tips would fill a book and a web site!

I’m curious what part of being young makes you feel that you need tips. I guess you are saying you are headed to a totally new experience. This is so exciting!

I do have tips for the complete newcomer to Mexico and teaching (though, I’m sure I’ve written something similar to this somewhere…).

1. Be patient with yourself. You may get ‘overloaded’ sometimes. Go to a quiet, private place and read a book, listen to music, write in your journal, or some other centering activity.

2. Don’t try to do too much. Just “do” one thing a day.

3. Listen a lot. What are people really saying? What do they mean? Since you will be in a new culture sometimes your first response to a situation would not be the best one. Don’t put your foot in your mouth, watch what others say and do in each setting.

4. Find a “cultural guide” you can ask questions. Find a Mexican who understands “foreigners” or a “foreigner” who understands “Mexicans.” This person can help you know good ways to express yourself in situations you find confusing or what people really mean when they say or do “X” thing. As is normal in a cross-cultural experience people will do or say things that when you “translate” them into your own culture/language are rude (and you do the same to them) and you feel “bad.” If you have a cultural guide they can help you see what is really going on.

As far as advice on teaching, I recommend reading my serious of articles about teaching English in Mexico. They are in the section of my web site called “Articles” and might help you get some ideas to get started. I’m sure the people you will be working with will be more than happy to teach you what you need to know.

Have fun! I hope this will be one of those big experiences in your life that you always remember and you learn a lot from. I’m so grateful for all that I’ve learned in Mexico. Write back and tell about your adventures or ask more questions.

Sincerely, Julia

I am a Scottish language student that is moving to La Piedad in September to be a language assistant for a year. I have looked in several guides on Mexico in books and the internet but am yet to find much information on La Piedad. I was wondering if you had ever been there as you mention in your book that you have travelled in Michoacan? Also do you have any general tips for me being a young guy who has never before travelled in Mexico and also has no teaching experience.

Keep up the good work!

Allan

That is very kind of you, but I have to tell you not to bring things at all. For children, a smile is all that is needed. Think of yourself more as a neighbor than benefactor.

For the maid in the hotel, tips would be welcome. Just leave it on the table by the bed. Trinkets would be either insulting or confusing.

If someone is selling things they’ve made, you can buy them at the price that they ask for them. Otherwise, you’re just a neighbor.

You might benefit from my pages about being a conscientious traveler.

Check out my page on tipping at: http://www.home-sweet-mexico.com/travel-pre-retire-in-Mexico-conscientious-tipping.html

All the pages in the section are listed on: http://www.home-sweet-mexico.com/travel-pre-retire-in-Mexico-conscientious1.html

Sincerely, Julia

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I wish everyone who comes to Mexico would be like you. I’m sure you are inpiring more people than you’ll ever know.

Julia