Plan coming together

I finally received the title for my van and today I went to the Mexican Consulate in Dallas and with no problem at all got the vehicle sticker. I also got Mexican auto insurance. Earlier this past weekend I got reservations at a hotel in Merida. It now feels like things are working towards a good trip. I was worried about the temporary import trip sticker as the title took its sweet time to arrive from Texas DOT. Without the title it is questionable one could get the sticker, no sticker your not bringing that vehicle into Mexico and if you do you could lose it.
We have the sticker, the insurance, and a place to stay so far so good.

Getting ready

I started sorting stuff to take to Mexico. I have two boxes now one with food stuff, canned goods etc and one of books. The books are mostly on learning Spanish. I hope they will do me service when I get to Merida. I have studied over and over and still don't feel confident with Spanish. I know I speak it like a Gringa in a bad movie I screw up the tenses, word order and use inappropriate terms or forget how to say things altogether. (Sigh)

I stopped by the cardiologist's office today and got new prescriptions for my medications so I can get refills before I leave and take three months supply with me. Hopefully that is how it will work out for me.

I stopped by my mechanics place this afternoon and had him show me how to open the cap on the power steering pump I had tried to open it, but the darn thing wouldn't come off and I was afraid I would break it an then I would have to search for a new one in junk yard-not a happy thought. Joe the mechanic showed me that I wasn't using enough pressure on it.

I called Dish TV today and seem there is no problem with suspending service when I leave which will be a good thing. I have the water company on auto pay as well as the mortgage and electricity so that is taken care of. Got to get the pets up to date on their shots and get a certificate to take with us to the border just in case we get checked. Hopefully the local Vet will cooperate.

There is still a list of things to do some can only be done just before leaving for Mexico. Hope I don't forget anything.

I am missing another Day of the Dead celebration, hopefully next year I will be in Mexico and enjoy the festival. Many people north of the border don't understand the holiday and confuse it with Halloween, Day of the Dead has more to do with Memorial Day than with Halloween. I like the idea of once a year remembering those we have loved who have passed on. It is a way to keep the memories alive and to give respect to life. Hopefully one day someone will remember me when I have passed on. Although I doubt it.

Anyhow, I will celebrate in my own way for those gone before. Not as well as a Mexicana would of course. But I will remember them.

A watched pot ....

Never boils. I have sent a message to the real estate agent in Merida, but no reply yet hopefully I will get a reply today so we can get this deal completed and we will have a house in Merida.
Oh well, keep checking I guess. Sorry for the fuzzy photo Samantha had to take a photo of a photo to get it. This is the house that we hope to rent.

Finding the Mexican Consulate in Dallas

Yesterday we decided that we would visit the Mexican Consulate and get the straight story on what was needed for the FM3 visa for retirees in Mexico. The first task was getting the proper
address. We searched the web and found an address and phone number both turned out to be wrong. We called the Consulate in Houston who also gave us a wrong number. Just by chance Samantha found another address and number, we called that number no answer. Just betting on a hunch today we took off for Dallas early and tried to find the elusive Consulate.

At first I was doubting the GPS as it was following a familiar route to Love Field. I feared we were heading there by mistake caused by the GPS going to sleep on us several times and then coming back to life with directions. But, the GPS was correct we found the building and a parking space and just like Mexico it had its guides trying to induce you to their businesses that help with all sorts of things like copying, photos, auto insurance and other services one might need in dealing with the inner workings of the Mexican Consulate. We succumbed to getting some copies and some photos that we may never use and then found the entrance to the Consulate. After a quick search of our purses and bag we were directed to the visa office for foreigners. There we met with a nice young lady that informed us about the procedure for obtaining an FM3 and clearly stated it would be easier to get one in Mexico than at this office.
So all the searching and digging and we should get it the visa in Mexico. Sigh.

We also had a mission to get the title for our car as we had just bought it two weeks ago and we are uncertain as to if the title will show up before our trip to Mexico. One needs proof of ownership to get permission to take a car into Mexico and that usually is the title. Well, we didn't get the title. We got a letter from the DMV saying we applied for the title and we are supposed to present that at the border in place of the title unless it does appear before our trip.
I don't get a warm fuzzy about this, I sure hope the title shows up pronto. Sigh.