Tag Archives: blogging mexico

July 5, 2017 · 7:00 am

A to Z Blogs About Mexico–Two Expats Living in Mexico

Q-Roo Paul and Linda have compiled a comprehensive expat resource at Two Expats Living in Mexico (qroo.us) Be sure to check it out!

I retired after a 25-year career in law enforcement and the high cost of living in the U.S. (especially health care) meant that either my wife or I – or both – would have to continue to work. So, the short answer is that we came looking for an amazing new life spent sipping Margaritas on a Caribbean beach — but, at a price we could afford without continuing to work.

The name of the blog is Two Expats Living in Mexico. Nothing too profound there. We moved to Mexico and this is the first blog name that popped into my head.

The blog focuses heavily on the state of Quintana Roo, simply because that’s where we live. However, I cover a wide range of topics, many of which apply to the whole country.

I began blogging just for something to do on rainy days and while I enjoyed my morning coffee. For some reason that we still don’t fully understand, the blog became popular and we’ve had as many as 155,000 views in a single month.

I use the site to share information about Mexico that I can’t easily find anywhere else. My plan is to continue writing articles that people want to read. I’ll keep doing that until I’m not having fun – at which point, I’ll just turn it off.

U.S. politics have been the most difficult to blog about. Although readers often ask me to write blogs sharing my opinions about politics, especially President Trump, it isn’t that type of blog so I always decline.

I have had so many wonderful experiences here. I guess if I had to choose just one best experience, I would say it was when I met a municipal police officer in Puerto Morelos and gave him a uniform patch from the agency that I retired from (a common practice among cops). He felt bad that he didn’t have a patch to give me in return, so he took out a pocketknife, carefully removed the stitching from the patch on his hat, and presented it to me. I was very flattered and impressed.

I haven’t had a bad experience yet. The worst thing that’s happened to me – knock on wood – is that they were out of license plates when I went to get new ones.

We plan on remaining in Mexico for the foreseeable future.

For those that wish to travel in Mexico, familiarize yourself with your rights under the consumer law in Mexico so you don’t get overcharged for goods and services while you’re here.

As far as moving here, I would need a lot more space to cover everything. It’s probably better that you just read through my blog.

I can be found at:

Two Expats Living in Mexico

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Filed under Blogging, Blogs about Mexico Worth Reading, Guest Blogger Adventures

Tagged as blogging mexico, blogs about mexico, Expat, Expat life in Quintana Roo, Living in Quintana Roo, mexican blogs, Q-Roo Paul, Quintana Roo, two expats in mexico

July 4, 2017 · 7:00 am

Blogs About Mexico Worth Reading–Don Day in SMA

I’ll just let our next blogger introduce himself. Here he is, the guru of good eats in San Miguel de Allende–Don Day in SMA.

My real name is Glenn Griffin and I’m guessing most people who read the blog know that. So some people call me Don, some people call me Glenn, some people call me #*%~¥€!, and most people know to not call me late for dinner (or cocktails). Using a pseudonym goes back to my freelance days when I would be working for two competing publications; cashing cheques in someone else’s name was a frequent problem.

What brought you to Mexico?

I originally came for sun, sand, sex and cerveza in the seventies. Living vicariously through newspaper columnist Paul Rimstead, who spent his winters here in the seventies, is what brought me to San Miguel de Allende in 2004.

What was the inspiration behind the name of your blog?

Don Day in SMA. It was a Spanglish attempt at Where in San Miguel de Allende but obviously not the best of puns as the number of people that “got it” I can count on one hand. (¿Dónde en San Miguel de Allende?)

What area of Mexico and topics does your blog primarily focus on?

Central Mexico, more specifically San Miguel de Allende, and mostly good food and good wine.

Why do you blog?

I was lured away from journalism to the big bucks of advertising very early in my career and always had regrets. Retirement and the birth of blogging gave me the opportunity to sneak back in the side door. Food and wine have always been a big part of my life; writing about it was a natural choice. I like to think that I’m the advice column for anyone looking for the best things to eat and drink in San Miguel. My primary target audience…hard to totally take the boy away from the advertisingese…are the expats and snowbirds of central Mexico.

What is your favorite blog post?

After hundreds and hundreds, it’s hard to name one. My greatest joy comes from discovering a little hole in the wall with very good food that is starving for customers, writing about it and returning to see a lot of asses on a lot of chairs.

What has been the most difficult for you to blog about?

Wine has always been a struggle. I thought that over time…I’ve had an extraordinary amount of practice…I might develop a palate like some of the experts. I haven’t and still might confuse a Cabernet Franc with a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Sauvignon Blanc with a Chenin Blanc. It is also difficult to write about wine in San Miguel because our supplies of individual brands are so small; if I rave about something it disappears off the shelf leaving my readers frustrated and angry (including me if I haven’t stocked up).

What has been the best experience you’ve had in Mexico?

My best experience in Mexico has been making new friends…of which the blog is mostly responsible. I now have more great people to hang out with after 13 years in Mexico than I have after 60 years in Canada. Mexico resulted in a renaissance of my social life when I thought I was going to be spending my days in an easy chair, getting fat and bald, while reading dog-eared recipe books.

What has been the worst experience you’ve had in Mexico?

I can’t think of one really bad thing. Really. Well maybe once sitting on a cactus.

If you are no longer in Mexico, do you plan on returning?

I spend six months in Mexico, six months in Canada each year. If I didn’t have a giant-sized family in Canada, I might spend every day of my life in Mexico. I am currently in Canada. Back in Mexico for the month of August and then there from October to April.

Where do you see your blog going?

My blog has gone as far as I hoped it would go. I wanted to become a knowledgeable, entertaining and respected critic of San Miguel de Allende’s culinary scene and I think I’ve accomplished that. I wanted to be followed by most of central Mexico’s “foodies” and my number of subscribers suggests that. I’m delving deeper into Mexican cuisine but otherwise, my subject matter and style won’t probably change.

Blogs about Mexico Worth Reading–My Heart of Mexico

Fabiola Rodriguez has been a long-time cheerleader for Surviving Mexico. Finally, I can return the favor! Thanks, Fabi! I’m sure you’ll enjoy My Heart of Mexico as much as I do.

What was the inspiration for your blog name?

I came up with the name “My Heart of Mexico” through a lot of brainstorming. I wanted a blog name that would convey my love for my country, and I combined it with the idea of my living in the heart of Mexico.

What brought you to Mexico?

I was born in Mexico, but later I spent some time in the US while I was growing up. Eventually, my family and I returned to Mexico.

What area of Mexico and topics does your blog primarily focus on?

I live in central Mexico, in the Mexico City area, so my blog is focused mainly on my experience living here, but I have written posts about other places in Mexico.

Why do you blog?

I started this blog because I want people from other parts of the world to see what living in Mexico is really like. I think the news on Mexico tend to focus primarily on the negative issues, and there’s hardly any mention of the positive aspects of the country. So I write for people from other countries who are curious about Mexico.

What is your favorite blog post?

My favorite blog post is “10 Facts About Mexican Food That Will Surprise You”. I had fun writing it and it was fun to read the comments too. It’s amazing how Mexican food is so popular around the world and yet so few people know the basics about it. Most of what is called Mexican food is really not.

What has been the most difficult for you to blog about?

I wrote a post called “5 Lies About Mexico You Need to Stop Believing”, which was about several misconceptions I’ve noticed going around in social media. It was appalling to read the comments about Mexico in the wake of the Trump administration, and that’s why I decided to write the post. It was difficult because it meant straying away from my “zero politics” mission statement, but I couldn’t ignore the controversy. I had to say something.

What has been the best experience you’ve had in Mexico?

The best experiences I’ve had so far are related to health care. My family has lived through several difficult situations, but we’ve all been satisfied with health care in Mexico overall. I think this is definitely one of the biggest perks of living here.

What has been the worst experience you’ve had in Mexico?

A few years ago, my nephew was kidnapped and the entire family had to come together to pay the ransom money. Unfortunately, kidnapping is a very real threat for Mexican families. We were fortunate, my nephew was returned alive and in one piece, but many families are not so lucky. But one thing I learned from that was not to keep quiet. Fear and silence only benefit criminals.

If you are currently in Mexico, how long do you plan on remaining?

I don’t plan on going anywhere!

What advice do you have for those planning to move or travel to Mexico?

Don’t be afraid. You can have a great life in Mexico! Just do your homework and make arrangements accordingly.

Where do you see your blog going?

I hope I can turn my blog into a book one day. In the meantime, I’ve been experimenting with writing about other topics and on Medium. I love this platform! I feel I can reach a wider audience.