Settling back in

It has taken over a week, but things do seem to be getting back to normal. The twins etc. did arrive shortly after Barb talked to Alvia on Friday or Saturday. We went to LIA on Monday to deliver money we had received from sponsors. As soon as Dareli saw Barb, she ran full tilt and jumped into her arms. Other kids went to find Fatima and she too came running and jumped into my arms; there was no question that they were happy to see us. Saturday, August 14th, we resumed our usual schedule, taking 3 BBQd chickens etc. to the toddlers’ house. At the moment, there are only 11 little ones, plus Fatima and Yuliana’s older sister, Claudia, who apparently does not get on well with the new housemother who looks after the 6-11 year old girls where she used to stay. She is a good worker and helps out with the younger kids really well. The twins seem none the worse for wear, their mother, Silvia, is smiling and younger brother, Christopher, who often before seemed to be crying and very needy, was playing and in a very happy mood on Saturday.


We then went to Soriana, the supermarket, and bought a new little pool. The old one (we originally got it for Aiden when he was here 2 years ago) is getting a bit worse for wear. The new pool is probably not quite as wide in diameter, but has inflatable sides. We also bought an air pump, but when we got home, we found that the hose and nozzle was missing from the box (I returned it later and got a new complete one for next week). Thus, they had to use the old pool one more time. They seemed to enjoy it nonetheless as in the photo. Also, Barb had found a sun dress for each girl at Value Village in Toronto. After the swim, Barb put them in the new dresses. She wanted to take photos and told them to go to Wally. I was squatting down and the twins hit me so hard simultaneously, that I fell back into the coffee table and you can see me sprawled very awkwardly.

This is a very busy time for people at LIA. School starts here on August 23rd and all the kids have to be equipped with school uniforms, shoes, backpacks and a long, very specific list of school supplies. Last year was a nightmare because of the move from up on the mountain. As a result, with only 3 or 4 exceptions, all the kids were going to new schools, thus requiring new uniforms (each school has its own uniform). This year, some of the kids can get by with hand-me-downs from last year. Still, it is a big job sorting out what they have already and what must be purchased. In addition, for all kids beyond grade 4, there are school fees (rising for the higher grades). The godparents provide all the money for these expenses. Of course, this is also the case for all Mexican families with children. I asked Letitia about the start of school and she too lamented ruefully, “Mucho dinero.” She has 2 children about 10 and 7 years old.

In Mexico we live with an FM3 visa; this is a non-immigrant long term visa. It means that one is not supposed to work here, but live on income from elsewhere. It has previously been in a passport like little booklet and good for 5 years, although it had to be renewed each year. We always had to present it to be stamped every time we left or entered Mexico. We are just finishing the second year. However, the powers that be decided to change things. Everything is to be more computerized. The passport booklet is being replaced by a wallet card, like a driver’s license. This too will be presented on every entry or departure, but no stamping of the booklet. For us, it means doing everything again as we did for getting the FM3 originally. That means getting our passports photocopied (every page), 3 monthly bank statements to show that we have at least US $1500 monthly income, a telephone or electric statement showing an owned residence (renters have to get special statements from landlords), and new, different sized photos. The new system is supposed to be simpler for foreigners as you go online to fill out and print a form. Authorities have promised to open an office in Chapala, but that has been delayed (no one knows how long). As a result, one still has to go to Guadalajara (at least twice and maybe 3 times if you lack some document or other) if you do it on your own. Fortunately, we have Mago’s office in Chapala. She did our FM3 the first time and the renewal last year. On Friday, we went to her again as authorities like you to start the process at least 30 days before expiry (there are significant consequences if you go beyond the expiry date--Sept. 12th for us). Mago’s office does almost all the paper work. Then, they take us in to Guadalajara to get fingerprinted and sign the forms. Somehow, they are able to arrange that when we get there, we go directly to the window even in front of other people waiting. Anyway, when we hear about other people making multiple trips to Guadalajara, waiting in long lines etc., we know that the modest fees Mago charges are well worth it.

It is still raining (10 of 15 days in August). We have received 4.4 inches (average 7.1) so far. For 2010, we have 31.5 inches (average 33.5) with still 1.5 months in the rainy season. We should also exceed the 2008 total of 35.4 inches. Lake Chapala is rising rapidly and seems certain to exceed the maximum level reached in 2008. Even more people who had occupied land when the lake levels were low will be flooded out. It is hard to feel too much pity for people who have appropriated land that they were not entitled to. However, that has been happening ever since the Spaniards arrived in the early 16th C.