Don writes Letters From Mexico about his experiences living in Mexico since 2003.
What brought you to Mexico?
I was invited by a guy I met while volunteering at a folk fest. He lives in Connecticut and Mexico and invited me to come to the 1st Turtle Island Bioregional Congress. I did and then had two follow up visits, staying in the community that organized it. On my third visit, I was crying when it was time to go home (back up north). This signaled to me to begin the process of getting ready to move to Mexico.
What was the inspiration for your blog name?
Letters From Mexico was inspired by a previous blog I started when I moved here in 2003, to keep in touch with family and friends in El Norte. I did a Google search, and the only Letters From Mexico was by Cortez.
What area of Mexico and topics does your blog primarily focus on?
I live in the volcanic region of central Mexico, south of Mexico City and East of Cuernavaca, called Tepoztlan. (Try and pronounce that one!) Most of my topics relate to the Mexican culture, and how this differs from the US.
Why do you blog?
My blog is primarily for retirees in the US who are interested in moving to Mexico.
The site has some information and a lot of my personal experiences about travel and living in Mexico. Hopefully, it will help make the decision about coming here.
What is your favorite blog post?
Maybe because it was my first post—Get Lost! Is my favorite. It was inspired by some experiences, and by the image of a T-shirt that’s pictured on the blog.
What has been the most difficult for you to blog about?
My Daily Life in Mexico was the most difficult. I feel that topic is what my audience wants to read about, but I prefer living it to writing about it.
What has been the best experience you’ve had in Mexico?
I play in blues bands. We had a gig called Scorpio Dance Party. It was to celebrate my birthday and that of a friend. I promoted it for a month, working every day. I’m proud to say it attracted 70 people and all had a blast! I learned that I was able to organize and carry out a project.
What has been the worst experience you’ve had in Mexico?
I spent a night in an immigration prison cell in Acapulco. I learned it’s important to have my papers up-to-date.
What advice do you have for those planning to move or travel to Mexico?
I think preparation should include research: reading books, online material, and talking to friends and relatives who have traveled or live in Mexico.
It’s best done in small steps, in my opinion. For example, don’t buy a house during your first week traveling in Mexico.
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If you are currently in Mexico, how long do you plan on remaining?
Although I am flexible, at this point I consider Mexico my home base. I’d say I’ve not been around a lot. I explored living in Guatemala, but find Mexico more diverse, with hotter music and food.
I’ll stay here until and unless I find something I like better.
Where do you see your blog going?
My goal is to have the site be interactive, and with the help of my audience, become a published book. I published a memoir and am now revising and updating it. I have plans for two other memoir related books, for different audiences, and these may have blogs.
Where can you be found?
Surviving Mexico 