Do You Like It Here?
It happened to me again today. I was washing my hands in a ladies' room here in Ajijic and when a woman came out of the stall she said to me, "Where are you from?"
I explained that I'd been born and raised in Iowa, had lived seven years in California, and that I've been living here in Ajijic for nearly 17 years.
She opened her eyes, wide, and asked my least favorite question of all, "Do you like it?"
I know folks who are here checking the area for retirement are anxious to discover how the rest of us live. I suppose they have real concerns about liking to live here. Still, they must realize that none of us were transferred here for our jobs, we weren't born here or living here out of habit. Most of us don't have extended family here that needs us to care for them?we came by choice and we remain by choice.
As a matter of fact, Mexico is not for everyone and not everyone likes it well enough to stay for five or ten years. There are some foreigners who move back North of the border every year.
There are times I have to bite back a variety of snippy or sarcastic responses to the question, "Oh you've been here 17 years, do you like it?
Thankfully I slept well last night, the day was going well and I was in a good mood. I was able to say, "Yes," and just smile and bite back all the smart remarks that came to mind at moments like that.
Just in case you think you might ever ask someone if they like living here, please print page and carry it in your pocket or purse. Then instead of asking the question you can read the responses they would like to give:
But we knew you weren't the type to ask those questions any way, right?
P.S. How do I really feel?
Just in case you are still wondering...I love it here, and I'm staying. In fact, you couldn't get me out of here with a crowbar.
Neill James, a travel writer who came to Ajijic in the 1940s to recover from an accident and died here some 50 years later said, "Once the dust of Mexico gets on your heart, you can never go home again."
That dust has been on my heart since 1990 and I'm here to stay.
Live is Good at Lake Chapala!
I explained that I'd been born and raised in Iowa, had lived seven years in California, and that I've been living here in Ajijic for nearly 17 years.
She opened her eyes, wide, and asked my least favorite question of all, "Do you like it?"
I know folks who are here checking the area for retirement are anxious to discover how the rest of us live. I suppose they have real concerns about liking to live here. Still, they must realize that none of us were transferred here for our jobs, we weren't born here or living here out of habit. Most of us don't have extended family here that needs us to care for them?we came by choice and we remain by choice.
As a matter of fact, Mexico is not for everyone and not everyone likes it well enough to stay for five or ten years. There are some foreigners who move back North of the border every year.
There are times I have to bite back a variety of snippy or sarcastic responses to the question, "Oh you've been here 17 years, do you like it?
Thankfully I slept well last night, the day was going well and I was in a good mood. I was able to say, "Yes," and just smile and bite back all the smart remarks that came to mind at moments like that.
Just in case you think you might ever ask someone if they like living here, please print page and carry it in your pocket or purse. Then instead of asking the question you can read the responses they would like to give:
- Actually, I hate it here, but I believe I am a bad person and maybe when I've punished myself enough, I'll go somewhere nice.
- No, I don't like it, but I'm saving my money and when I have $80 U.S. I'll buy a bus ticket to Texas.
- Oh, didn't you know? They don't let us go back. Once you cross the border you are here to stay, like it or not.
- I'm being held hostage.
- I'm doing a special project. I'm recording silly questions. Thanks for your contribution ? now that I've met my quota, I can leave.
But we knew you weren't the type to ask those questions any way, right?
P.S. How do I really feel?
Just in case you are still wondering...I love it here, and I'm staying. In fact, you couldn't get me out of here with a crowbar.
Neill James, a travel writer who came to Ajijic in the 1940s to recover from an accident and died here some 50 years later said, "Once the dust of Mexico gets on your heart, you can never go home again."
That dust has been on my heart since 1990 and I'm here to stay.
Live is Good at Lake Chapala!
Labels: Living Here
Judy King is publisher of Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.
Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.
Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.
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