Live! from Guadalajara...
Oh my. I finally got the internet working in the apartment down here. While I’m thinking about it, I will post my address/phone number coming up soon in a private post.
So Mexico…
I am here, and it is interesting. My room is adequate (read: like a dorm room) but only costs 1800 pesos por mes (about 165 dollars a month). I finally feel like I can settle in and do stuff now that I have the internet. I tell you, it is absolutely amazing how much life feels like it’s on hold when you don’t have access to the magical world wide web. I have yet to start work (I did have two interviews), so I have been getting a little bored to be honest. In between the first day or two (I arrived early Sunday morning) and today, I have watched approximately seven films and read 2.5 books. Not to mention that today I finally actually started (shakily) on the screenplay I have been harboring for the better part of a year. Back off, I only got about 7.5 pages typed, but I sincerely hope this endeavor continues.
So Mexico…
Alright, you want to know. My neighborhood is composed of narrow one-way streets and countless corner stores and mini-restaurants. Wait, I can post a Google Earth link!
Hmm, wait…can’t seem to figure out how… Well anyway, I’ll send it as an email attachment to one and all. Just let me know and I’ll try to work it.
So…Mexico…
Here is a tidbit I composed about a day after arriving. I had only met one person (my contact) for about 5 minutes after arrival. Needless to say, I was feeling quite a bit more homesick than I ever thought I would:
As I write this I am in my second day of Mexican life. I have yet to meet my roommates. I need internet. Without it being away from home will be unbearable. My initial impression of Mexican life is one of complete disorganization. You might call it complete laissez faire economics, but it seems like everything here is piecemeal. Instead of clean water service, you have to buy drinking water from the store. Instead of phone service, most people by phone cards for local and long distance calling. Most people also use internet cafes that charge per hour of use instead of getting internet service to the home. Also, finding some things at the “Super G” (Gigante) is rather difficult. It seems no one here has heard of a litterbox (apparently neither has Microsoft Word, as indicated by the red squiggly beneath the word on my screen). Oh yeah, and understanding people is exceedingly difficult.
All that being said, I know this is just the beginning. Ask me again how I feel in a month and it will be a different story. The people are for the most part very friendly. One guy behind me in line at the market took me outside and showed me how to use the phone card I had just purchased, and though I could barely understand him, it was helpful. Also there are many little places to eat, and I look forward to trying them. I’ll send pictures once I get my room in order. Sigh…these first few weeks are going to be a lot of work.
I will tell you that having my roommates around has already helped alot. One dude is in school to be a pilot. I get the feeling he’s pretty far along in his education because he told me he actually goes to school at the airport. He speaks less English than I Spanish. Next is Gaspar. He is studies Cinema. How cool was that to hear! Well, we get along alright so far, and he speaks pretty good English, but now that I have worked with him to set up my internet connection, I think I will try to steer him toward Spanish. Last is John. He just moved in after me. In fact, I get the feeling that he swooped in and took my room (through no fault of his own). My “huge” room was not remotely close to that. Suspiciously enough, my rent is also lower that that which I was quoted. Finally, the “two roommates” that the email proclaimed have become three. Hmm. Now what happened?
Oh well, the room will be only slightly less nice than the eternal room 207 when I finish adding to it. It is smaller, but it houses only me (a definite plus for at my age, I feel that I need at least some space to myself). The living room has sparse, stained but clean furniture. There is also a patio with no roof (sweet) and an open kitchen. I rather like the style of house. Too bad it would be totally impractical where I come from. I will post pictures as soon as someone tells me the best way to do it. I’m afraid that photobucket account that I created for my Oblivion post will fill too fast.
Rambling…back to topic.
Mexico…
My current impressions remain similar to my first, but as I discover how to navigate my new society, it becomes less of a hassle. I knew the first thing I needed to do was shop for groceries. I had heard that the “Super G” or “Gigante” stores were the big grocery place, so I inquired as to the location of the one nearest, and walked there my first day. Interestingly, I came away with almost no groceries. Try as I might, I cannot motivate myself to even buy the ingredients necessary for the culinary arts, let alone actually use them. Instead I had a bevy of cleaning supplies for my new room and a growing list of things I was afraid they didn’t sell in Mexico. For instance, Gigante did not have clothes hangers, litter, litterbox, particle board, router (no surprise), or brown shoe strings. Gasp! What to do?
Wal-Mart to the rescue. Dear god. I was ecstatic to be shopping at Wal-Mart. I feel like such a whore. From now on if I ever want to quench homesickness, I’ll just walk on down to 16 de Septiembre and Av. Niños Héroes and peruse the endless aisles of discounted Americana.
That’s another thing. Not having a car kind of sucks. There’s a lot within walking distance, but I’m an American, damnit! I need an automobile. Next time I go to live abroad, I’ll be richer or I won’t do it.
So what else have I done? I went to two job interviews. The one I am taking sounds sort of ideal. I’ll be teaching English to businessmen at the behest of large companies. That means they’ll be adults, and I’ll travel to the site and teach them in the no-nonsense fashion they expect, then go home. I will make 100 pesos an hour, which is at the upper end of what I could have expected from this venture. Also, I’ll be able to decide how much I want to work. Magnificent. The only problem is that it doesn’t start until September 18.
I chanced down into the subway one day because I happened passed and grew curious. None of my preparation mentioned a subway. Turns out that’s because it has a very limited route, but that’s not the interesting part. I decided to try my Spanish on the security guard, a fellow not older or bigger than me. He finally told me that he speaks English. Relief. Until he starts talking. He says he’s Chicano (Mexican from the U.S.) and lived in L.A. He also enjoyed an undisclosed amount of time in jail “with the thing on my ankle and everything.” He then inquired as to whether I smoke pot, and held that all white boys did so. We then had a hardy chat about all the hot bitches in Guadalajara, and he concluded by giving me his number so that I could call on the weekend. Together we could enjoy drugs, alcohol and the bitches with whom he had connections. I politely took the number and threw it away when I got back.
On the subject of security guards, one thing is simultaneously cool and unsettling here. Outside any bank or nice department store stands a security guard. Unlike the fat, underpaid, vaguely useless security guards in the United States, these fat, underpaid, mustached security guards openly brandish rifles or submachine guns. I mean these suckers just hang there from “fucking try it” straps that would make any revolucionario proud. I don’t like turning my back to them.
And finally, I will sum up my exciting discoveries of Mexico’s electronics world. Not a Circuit City or a Best Buy in sight. Though Wal-Mart carried the usual assortment of digital cameras and stereos, they were less than adequate when it came to computer parts. I couldn’t even find a router, network cable, or anyone who knew what I was talking about there. I was finally pointed in the direction of Plaza de Technología-a large permanent market with stalls full of peddlers. CD and DVD-R drives could be had by all. I located a router and discovered the prices were not all that great (1000 pesos or around 90 dollars for a wireless 108 gig/sec router). Over the several days in which I have been bored, I began to regret my decision to leave my computer games at home. I know I should be doing stuff, but I have plenty of time for that after I start working and become ingratiated in life here. Anyway, I walked the 1.65 miles to the Centro Magno (a modern cool mall that is unfortunately short on stores) to check the store “Game Planet” that I had seen there. Bupkiss. They only sell console games.
It was yesterday when John the 50-some-year-old roommate with other residences in town and in Mexico City helpfully informed me that people here just don’t buy software. They all buy pirated software from the market. Interesting.
So today I hiked on down to the HUGE marketplace downtown to investigate. You could spend a full day shopping in there. There are enough cowboy boots, sombreros, and guitars to equip a seven-nation army of mariachi bands. Anyway, after traversing the mammoth food section, I entered the electronics/baseball cap section of the market (don’t ask me). I should have inquired about prices, but I will tell you the portfolio of computer games I surveyed had many quality games that I have already enjoyed, and many more besides. Most of the games were between two years and six months old as well. Sweet.
Now let me tell you this, friends. Lean in. On a random whim I saw a gleaming, obviously new X360 in a display case. “¿Cuánto cuesta?” queried I. “Mil pesos,” answered the remarkably normal-looking fellow behind the counter. I asked again to be sure. Those who remember high school Spanish may have caught on by now. He said 1000 pesos, or about 90 dollars. Now, I don’t know if that comes with a controller or cables, but I don’t really give a shit. For $90 I just might buy an X360 while I’m here. Hell, I’ll probably throw out some clothes just to take it back.
Note I did not ask WHY it was so cheap.
So, for any considering a visit, perhaps that will help persuade. I’ll update you with more info when I learn it. I’m a bit too broke to buy one now, but maybe I’ll just wait and see what I can find a PS3 or a Wii for in the infinite market. I’m guessing these devices are region-coded like DVDs, but surely there’s a way to unlock that? Adam?
If you read this far, I’m amazed. Look at it this way. If you read these as I go along, I won’t be able to bore you so much with my stories when I get back. Now it’s past two and I must find something to do.
I feel like I should hug you or something.
So Mexico…
I am here, and it is interesting. My room is adequate (read: like a dorm room) but only costs 1800 pesos por mes (about 165 dollars a month). I finally feel like I can settle in and do stuff now that I have the internet. I tell you, it is absolutely amazing how much life feels like it’s on hold when you don’t have access to the magical world wide web. I have yet to start work (I did have two interviews), so I have been getting a little bored to be honest. In between the first day or two (I arrived early Sunday morning) and today, I have watched approximately seven films and read 2.5 books. Not to mention that today I finally actually started (shakily) on the screenplay I have been harboring for the better part of a year. Back off, I only got about 7.5 pages typed, but I sincerely hope this endeavor continues.
So Mexico…
Alright, you want to know. My neighborhood is composed of narrow one-way streets and countless corner stores and mini-restaurants. Wait, I can post a Google Earth link!
Hmm, wait…can’t seem to figure out how… Well anyway, I’ll send it as an email attachment to one and all. Just let me know and I’ll try to work it.
So…Mexico…
Here is a tidbit I composed about a day after arriving. I had only met one person (my contact) for about 5 minutes after arrival. Needless to say, I was feeling quite a bit more homesick than I ever thought I would:
As I write this I am in my second day of Mexican life. I have yet to meet my roommates. I need internet. Without it being away from home will be unbearable. My initial impression of Mexican life is one of complete disorganization. You might call it complete laissez faire economics, but it seems like everything here is piecemeal. Instead of clean water service, you have to buy drinking water from the store. Instead of phone service, most people by phone cards for local and long distance calling. Most people also use internet cafes that charge per hour of use instead of getting internet service to the home. Also, finding some things at the “Super G” (Gigante) is rather difficult. It seems no one here has heard of a litterbox (apparently neither has Microsoft Word, as indicated by the red squiggly beneath the word on my screen). Oh yeah, and understanding people is exceedingly difficult.
All that being said, I know this is just the beginning. Ask me again how I feel in a month and it will be a different story. The people are for the most part very friendly. One guy behind me in line at the market took me outside and showed me how to use the phone card I had just purchased, and though I could barely understand him, it was helpful. Also there are many little places to eat, and I look forward to trying them. I’ll send pictures once I get my room in order. Sigh…these first few weeks are going to be a lot of work.
I will tell you that having my roommates around has already helped alot. One dude is in school to be a pilot. I get the feeling he’s pretty far along in his education because he told me he actually goes to school at the airport. He speaks less English than I Spanish. Next is Gaspar. He is studies Cinema. How cool was that to hear! Well, we get along alright so far, and he speaks pretty good English, but now that I have worked with him to set up my internet connection, I think I will try to steer him toward Spanish. Last is John. He just moved in after me. In fact, I get the feeling that he swooped in and took my room (through no fault of his own). My “huge” room was not remotely close to that. Suspiciously enough, my rent is also lower that that which I was quoted. Finally, the “two roommates” that the email proclaimed have become three. Hmm. Now what happened?
Oh well, the room will be only slightly less nice than the eternal room 207 when I finish adding to it. It is smaller, but it houses only me (a definite plus for at my age, I feel that I need at least some space to myself). The living room has sparse, stained but clean furniture. There is also a patio with no roof (sweet) and an open kitchen. I rather like the style of house. Too bad it would be totally impractical where I come from. I will post pictures as soon as someone tells me the best way to do it. I’m afraid that photobucket account that I created for my Oblivion post will fill too fast.
Rambling…back to topic.
Mexico…
My current impressions remain similar to my first, but as I discover how to navigate my new society, it becomes less of a hassle. I knew the first thing I needed to do was shop for groceries. I had heard that the “Super G” or “Gigante” stores were the big grocery place, so I inquired as to the location of the one nearest, and walked there my first day. Interestingly, I came away with almost no groceries. Try as I might, I cannot motivate myself to even buy the ingredients necessary for the culinary arts, let alone actually use them. Instead I had a bevy of cleaning supplies for my new room and a growing list of things I was afraid they didn’t sell in Mexico. For instance, Gigante did not have clothes hangers, litter, litterbox, particle board, router (no surprise), or brown shoe strings. Gasp! What to do?
Wal-Mart to the rescue. Dear god. I was ecstatic to be shopping at Wal-Mart. I feel like such a whore. From now on if I ever want to quench homesickness, I’ll just walk on down to 16 de Septiembre and Av. Niños Héroes and peruse the endless aisles of discounted Americana.
That’s another thing. Not having a car kind of sucks. There’s a lot within walking distance, but I’m an American, damnit! I need an automobile. Next time I go to live abroad, I’ll be richer or I won’t do it.
So what else have I done? I went to two job interviews. The one I am taking sounds sort of ideal. I’ll be teaching English to businessmen at the behest of large companies. That means they’ll be adults, and I’ll travel to the site and teach them in the no-nonsense fashion they expect, then go home. I will make 100 pesos an hour, which is at the upper end of what I could have expected from this venture. Also, I’ll be able to decide how much I want to work. Magnificent. The only problem is that it doesn’t start until September 18.
I chanced down into the subway one day because I happened passed and grew curious. None of my preparation mentioned a subway. Turns out that’s because it has a very limited route, but that’s not the interesting part. I decided to try my Spanish on the security guard, a fellow not older or bigger than me. He finally told me that he speaks English. Relief. Until he starts talking. He says he’s Chicano (Mexican from the U.S.) and lived in L.A. He also enjoyed an undisclosed amount of time in jail “with the thing on my ankle and everything.” He then inquired as to whether I smoke pot, and held that all white boys did so. We then had a hardy chat about all the hot bitches in Guadalajara, and he concluded by giving me his number so that I could call on the weekend. Together we could enjoy drugs, alcohol and the bitches with whom he had connections. I politely took the number and threw it away when I got back.
On the subject of security guards, one thing is simultaneously cool and unsettling here. Outside any bank or nice department store stands a security guard. Unlike the fat, underpaid, vaguely useless security guards in the United States, these fat, underpaid, mustached security guards openly brandish rifles or submachine guns. I mean these suckers just hang there from “fucking try it” straps that would make any revolucionario proud. I don’t like turning my back to them.
And finally, I will sum up my exciting discoveries of Mexico’s electronics world. Not a Circuit City or a Best Buy in sight. Though Wal-Mart carried the usual assortment of digital cameras and stereos, they were less than adequate when it came to computer parts. I couldn’t even find a router, network cable, or anyone who knew what I was talking about there. I was finally pointed in the direction of Plaza de Technología-a large permanent market with stalls full of peddlers. CD and DVD-R drives could be had by all. I located a router and discovered the prices were not all that great (1000 pesos or around 90 dollars for a wireless 108 gig/sec router). Over the several days in which I have been bored, I began to regret my decision to leave my computer games at home. I know I should be doing stuff, but I have plenty of time for that after I start working and become ingratiated in life here. Anyway, I walked the 1.65 miles to the Centro Magno (a modern cool mall that is unfortunately short on stores) to check the store “Game Planet” that I had seen there. Bupkiss. They only sell console games.
It was yesterday when John the 50-some-year-old roommate with other residences in town and in Mexico City helpfully informed me that people here just don’t buy software. They all buy pirated software from the market. Interesting.
So today I hiked on down to the HUGE marketplace downtown to investigate. You could spend a full day shopping in there. There are enough cowboy boots, sombreros, and guitars to equip a seven-nation army of mariachi bands. Anyway, after traversing the mammoth food section, I entered the electronics/baseball cap section of the market (don’t ask me). I should have inquired about prices, but I will tell you the portfolio of computer games I surveyed had many quality games that I have already enjoyed, and many more besides. Most of the games were between two years and six months old as well. Sweet.
Now let me tell you this, friends. Lean in. On a random whim I saw a gleaming, obviously new X360 in a display case. “¿Cuánto cuesta?” queried I. “Mil pesos,” answered the remarkably normal-looking fellow behind the counter. I asked again to be sure. Those who remember high school Spanish may have caught on by now. He said 1000 pesos, or about 90 dollars. Now, I don’t know if that comes with a controller or cables, but I don’t really give a shit. For $90 I just might buy an X360 while I’m here. Hell, I’ll probably throw out some clothes just to take it back.
Note I did not ask WHY it was so cheap.
So, for any considering a visit, perhaps that will help persuade. I’ll update you with more info when I learn it. I’m a bit too broke to buy one now, but maybe I’ll just wait and see what I can find a PS3 or a Wii for in the infinite market. I’m guessing these devices are region-coded like DVDs, but surely there’s a way to unlock that? Adam?
If you read this far, I’m amazed. Look at it this way. If you read these as I go along, I won’t be able to bore you so much with my stories when I get back. Now it’s past two and I must find something to do.
I feel like I should hug you or something.