Banking in a Foreign Country..........Mexico to be Exact! San Miguel de Allende to be even more so.

It started with FBAR a few years ago.  Not sure what year as it didn't impact me.

Most ex-pats that I know continue to do their banking with their US banks.  They have a small bank account in San Miguel for the following reasons:

(1) It was required in order to get a temporary or permanent visa to have a Mexican bank account.  Then a letter from your bank giving the average amount per month in the account along with a copy of the last three months of that account is also required.

(2) Money is not insured in accounts in Mexico so a sharp devaluation just means you lost it.  Having several friends who have had that happen convinced me to keep everything as simple as possible.

(3) Banks in San Miguel (some of them) will pay your utilities and your household help on whatever schedule that is requested.  It is very helpful if you travel a lot or just want to have good records.

FBAR was implemented and required that those foreign residents with more then $10,000 in an account in a foreign country had to report this on a Form with their income tax return.  Penalty for not doing so, $10,000USD!  Most people didn't even know about this law or form as it was not publicized much at all.
Now, those finding out about it, after the fact, are very concerned about being penalized for all the years they didn't file the form.

FATCA has been a different story.  It has been highly publicized not only by the US press and organizations but by seminars held by the banks here in San Miguel!  There has been a steady stream of comments on the Yahoo Civil List (which isn't always that Civil) along with comments at all kinds of venues.  It too requires that if you have a certain amount of money in foreign banks, anywhere in the world, it must be reported on a specific form along with your income tax.  This new law goes into effect on July 1, 2014.

It has caused an uproar because foreign banks are now required to report on each and every expat account.  Banamex closed their US offices.  They also closed the accounts of any foreign citizens in Mexico.

Worldwide financial institutions are reeling with the requirements imposed on them to report all kinds of private information.  For a clearer explanation and ramifications, please read the article on www.AmericansAbroad.org. It is very comprehensive.

Other people here in San Miguel have now received notification from Fidelity Investments that they no longer will handle accounts of ex-pats.  Geez, it's just the tip of the iceberg that is slowly melting.

Of course I suggest that if reading any of this impacts you, discuss it with your accountant, your financial adviser or whoever helps you with this stuff.  I am not impacted by any of the above as my account here in Mexico is minimal to just meet the requirements of Mexican immigration.

Now the latest bombshell to fall upon expats is the announcement a few weeks back that paper checks written outside the USA will not be honored by US banks. Everywhere, not just Mexico  They will require wire transfers or using ATM machines.  I see the solution on this is, if someone in a foreign country needs to deposit a US check in their account in the US to use one of those smart phones.  A friend of mine does just that. The information about the US checks was given to me by the officer at the bank I use here in San Miguel.  That goes into effect on September 1, 2014.  I confirmed it with my US bank.

I've lived by using an ATM machine for fourteen years. My social security is a direct deposit in the USA.  I probably don't write ten checks a year anymore.  If I do it's to someone in the USA that I mail to them.  So, again, this won't impact me that I can foresee.

It is rather disconcerting though to have all of this happening for many people.  Some expats have gone so far as to renounce their US citizenship.  Sad, but true.

What used to be easy for most is now more complicated and costly.  Again, sad but true.

                                 

Making Lemon Blueberry Bread from LEMONS

Desperation has set in!  There are more lemons then I can possibly use for lemonade.  I've put lemon juice in the freezer for at least a year's supply.  Now I'm scouring recipes for ways to use more.

Luckily some friends came by last week and left with two dozen lemons.  You couldn't even tell that any lemons had been taken from the tree.

What's really surprising is that most people don't have lemon trees in San Miguel but do have lime and orange trees.  Why not lemon trees?  This one is three stories high.

Finally, after saving a recipe for Lemon Blueberry Bread, I made some last week.  In my attempt to not eat it all myself, I ate one slice and froze the rest of the loaf.  It's in the freezer for when company comes - whoever that might be.

Here's the recipe.  I think this is the first time I've ever posted a recipe:

Lemon Blueberry Bread
(1) 8 oz pkg. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 1/3 c. sugar, divided (I used Stevia to equal the sugar quantity)
2 eggs
1T lemon juice
1 1/2 c. biscuit banking mix
1T lemon rind, grated
1 1/2 c. blueberries
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350F.  Coat 9x5x3 loaf pan with Pam or whatever you prefer.

Mix together cream cheese, 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and lemon juice.
Stir in baking mix and lemon rind until blended.  CAREFULLY stir in blueberries by hand.

Put batter in pan and bake 50-60 minutes depending on your oven.

Remove from oven and immediately poke holes in top at 1 inch intervals with a toothpick.

In microwave combine 1/3 c sugar and 1/2 cup lemon juice, heating until sugar is dissolved.
Pour evenly over top of bread.  Cool and slice.

Side note:  For me it was too much lemon taste.  I probably would not pour the lemon juice and sugar over the top the next time, but that's just my taste.  The bread was very delicious. I might also use some chopped pecans as I love the crunch of nuts in bread.

Anyone want or need LEMONS, just let me know so I can shake the tree and pick up lemons for you.
I never thought in my  life, I would be able to ever say anything like that. 

Clipped Wings!

The saga began last November.  Seven months ago.  The engine light came on.  Of course, I freaked out as I take very good care of this 1998 Nissan Pathfinder.  I hope it lasts as long as I do!

Off to Luis, the mechanic I went, speedily.  The conversation was that I was heading to Houston and now what.  He said to have the Nissan dealership tell me what was going on with the emission system so we could get the parts, if necessary when I returned.

True to my word, I drove to the Nissan dealership on 610 near the defunct Astroworld in Houston one day and had the whole car checked out for about $200USD.  The five page list staggered me.  So did the cost to do the repairs which was over $6,000USD.  I, of course, just laughed.  The car has nearly 200,000 miles on it and isn't worth, probably, more then $2,500USD.

Anyway, after regaining consciousness and looking at all five pages, I was frightened.  I trotted over to the Parts Department and asked the man to look at the list and tell me if any of the things were life threatening as I was going to drive it back to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, over 1000 miles, and didn't want to ruin the car.  His last name was Hernandez.  He understood.

He quietly told me that no there was nothing that was critical. He even said if there was an aftermarket store near where I lived, I could get the parts for a lot less!  In addition he told me that the engine light automatically comes on at a certain mileage and not to panic.  Whew!  I drove it back here with no problems except for the rocking back and forth that it does at about 80MPH on the toll roads.  So I stayed at 70MPH.

Over the ensuing months I've met with Luis, the mechanic.  He took the list to Celaya and got prices for all the parts.  He also went to Auto Zone here in San Miguel and got their prices.  Around $900USD for all.
THEN he said, I need to check to see if you really need all these things.

He has been busy working on other cars and said he would call when he could get to me.  Yesterday I took the "bull by the horns" and drove over to his work yard to leave a note on the door.  Out he came.  He suggested we go to a place where he could put the car up on a lift and check it out right then and there.

Off we went to the Bardahl yard in Col. Guadalupe.  A big operation that I had never even noticed in all the years I've been in SMA.  At least fifteen mechanics busy working on six cars while I sat there for two hours waiting for one of the lifts to be available.  It was like watching a ballet of workmen. 

It was fascinating to watch Luis.  He has a great big booming laugh and visited with all the mechanics to find out who would be finished first and would they let him use a lift for 30 minutes.  Patience in Mexico is absolutely essential.  Time is not important.  At least it didn't seem important yesterday.   We waited.  Luis visiting and watching all the work.  Me sitting in the car, patiently!  Really for TWO hours.

Finally, a lift became available.  What happened next, I think, would only happen in Mexico!  About five mechanics along with Luis came over and began to minutely check out the car.  One thing they discovered was that the two front tires didn't match!  What?  Nope, I don't know if when they checked the car at the Nissan dealership they didn't put the tires on correctly or if when I bought new tires a couple of years ago that happened.

Anyway, after "the group" finished going over the car, we had the information we needed.  Several things on the Nissan list were not needed.  Surprise!  Not one penny exchanged hands.  They all shook hands when they finished. Amazing.  Luis clapped the shoulder of the oldest man who seemed to be in charge.  A beautiful sight.  Me, I was now sitting on a board sitting on top of two large cans! 

Off we went to Auto Zone.  It's a store that has been opened for less then a year.  I felt like I was walking into the USA.  Wow, what a nice store.  What a great inventory.  They had the struts, shocks and brake pads we needed.  Voila.  Luis needed a little money to have something done to the rotors, whatever that is, and intends to have the car work completed today.

If, all goes well, the total cost of having the work done here will be less then $400 USD!  Oh, and how to fix the engine light that is still on?  Luis is going to remove the bulb, ha.

One thing that I thought was very interesting in everything yesterday was that he wanted to use Monroe products from the USA and did not necessarily want to use products from Auto Zone because he said they are made in China.  There is a HUGE resistance to anything Chinese in Mexico.  Rightly so.   But, in the long run, rather then driving the 45 minutes to Celaya to get parts, I convinced him to get them here as I jokingly said my car is Japanese (which it was made in Japan) and it couldn't be that bad.

Keep your fingers crossed that I have the Pathfinder ready for road travel today or by the end of the week.
Where am I going?  Who knows?  But it is fun to think about..........

I'm grateful that I observed the camaraderie of the Mexican men yesterday.  That was a gift!  Every day is a lesson in Mexico if you take the time to observe.

The Best Things in Life are NOT Things!

 Yesterday I posted the above phrase on my Facebook page.  The photos here illustrate that point to the nth degree.  The grand kids came over yesterday.  Arriving shortly after noon, we played outside for a while until it started getting dark and raining.

Sebastian and Matilda wanted to try out their new raincoats. And try them out they did, for sure.  Sebastian is such a little clown.  He makes me laugh frequently with funny things he says or silly things he does.  Reminds me so much of his dad at that age.

 Out in the garden there is a drain called a "canal" in Mexico that takes the water off the roof of the guest house.  AND it really comes down like a torrent.  Matilda wanted to see if her new raincoat kept her dry by standing under the torrent.  Sebastian is carefully watching to see how that experiment works. I, on the other hand, am standing inside my kitchen door, not in the rain, taking these photos. 

 Then I remembered that my good friends Bill and Trey had given me a golf umbrella.  A huge thing.  THIS was the answer.  Under the umbrella, with their raincoats on they marched forward to hear the pounding of the rainwater on top of the umbrella.

Was it fun?  Are you kidding?  These kids had so darn much fun in the rain that a day at Disney World would not have even compared.

Of course after they got back in the house, the clothes that were outside of the raincoats were drenched but towels, dry socks and a blanket solved all those issues.  A few snuggles and cartoons added to the afternoon of delights.

The kids had a blast.  Doubt they'll forget that fun time for a long time.

Waking to this Sight!

Waking to the sound of "whoosh", I always know that there is a hot air balloon nearby.  They like to dip down into the canyon and when they come back up often they are as low as 50 to 100 ft above my downstairs garden.

Something about that "whoosh" propels me from bed.  I grab for my robe and camera as I scamper up three flights of stairs to the roof terrace.  Now, its not as though I haven't seen the hot air balloons many times in the past, but for some reason, each time is magical.  Absolutely so.

Imagine my surprise last Saturday morning when this was the sight that was before me! Thrilled is an understatement.  I photographed and photographed like a giddy teenager.  Never before had there been
three balloons.  Yes, in the past at NASA I've seen many many balloons, but not here in Mexico.

The other thing about this photo are the low lying clouds that somewhat obscure the mountain range in the distance.  Also the way the light hits Colonia Independencia in the distance.  This photo shows how only twenty blocks from the jardin, one is on undeveloped land as you can see in front of Colonia Independencia.

No balloons this morning.  We've had rain since Tuesday.  When I say RAIN, I mean RAIN.  In four days a little over five inches at my house!  Woo hoo.  I would imagine that the balloon man didn't want to take a chance this morning since the forecast doesn't even say "Chance of thunderstorm".  It simply says "Rain" - 100%.

New Kids on the Block.....oops, Blog

It's been quite a while since I mentioned newcomers to the blogroll.  I'm so enjoying each and every addition that, if you haven't noticed, wander over there and check them out.  It's the list on the right side of the blog page with their names in the order of the most recent post.

Here are some of the ones I've added and read every time they post!

Travels of a Retired Teacher - Avid traveler who posts wonderful photographs and stories of his travels.
Curious Places - No dialog but photos of amazing places, worldwide.  The latest is a place in Brooklyn!
Winnie Views - A woman and her dog, Millie traveled to Mexico in her mini-Winnebago.  I don't even remember how I found this blog, but for any rving person, her information is very good as are her posts.
dondayinsma - A blog about food and restaurants in San Miguel.  He's a good writer with a great sense of humor.
Post Cards from San Antonio - A wide range of subjects that are always interesting.
Vagabon & Dave - Former sailors who are now travelers to "off the beaten track" places.  Fascinating with magnificent photographs.
Mexico City - An Opinionated Guide - A great guide to what to do and see in DF.

Hopefully I didn't miss any of the newbies.

Several of the writers of these blogs have commented on how their readership has increased.  Since Babsblog has over 30,000 readers a month now, I'm glad to highlight some other blogs that are a delight.

Enjoy!

Question of the Day - WHERE Do Hummingbirds Go When It Rains?

 Yesterday, the candelabra plant was literally bombarded by hummingbirds.  At one point, they were dive bombing each other so they could get to this plant as well as the bougainvillaea which has finally returned to blooming. 

Even when I wasn't looking out the window or door at them, I knew when they were there by the clicking sound that they make.

There were all kinds of colors.  One with a white breast, another with an iridescent green breast and the other more common ones.  At one point I counted six hummers doing just that in the downstairs patio garden.

This morning I decided to get the camera out in preparation of photographing them after the rains had stopped.  As I watched them yesterday, it was interesting to see how long they went from bloom to bloom on the candelabra plant so I figured, based on that observation that I could open the screen door, step out and still get photos.

Not one sighting today so far.  It's almost 11AM.  It makes me wonder if they knew it was going to rain so they stored up nectar yesterday and are hiding out somewhere.  But where?

Ok, all of you scientific and knowledgeable readers, tell me, Where do hummingbirds go when it rains?

A Confession........

The Locos Parade was yesterday.  I wasn't there.  This is a photo by someone else.  I "skirted" all the 8000 people as I tried, very slowly in the car, to get from one side of town to the other.  It was an interesting adventure but I succeeded.

Instead of being in the midst of this humanity, I was in the country, having lunch with a group of great friends who were celebrating that Buffy and Kerrie were in town.  Buffy is from Connecticut, but originally from Texas.  Her sister Kerrie lives in Arlington, Texas.  Actually, now that I think about it of the ten of us at lunch, only two were not from Texas!  It wasn't planned that way, but things happen.

We had lunch out at Nirvana.  And it is.  It's on a large piece of land with a pond along with beautiful rolling, low, grass covered hills.  The large, high ceiling home has become the restaurant although few eat inside.  All prefer to be outside with the beautiful views of the countryside.

Food is fabulous.  I had two courses.  A soup of huitlacoche and squash blossoms along with a tropical salad with basil sorbet.  Perfection.

But, back to the Locos Parade.  It has become huge.  It started sometime in the last century as the fruit growers celebrated the wealth of their crops, especially oranges.  They would parade through town throwing extra fruit to passerbys.  Then at some point they started dressing in costume, possibly to hide their identity which gave them the name of locos.  If there is anything that Mexicans love, it is a silly, fun, boisterous parade.  They had one yesterday.  There were floats, music, throwing candy to passerbys who had umbrellas turned upside down to catch the candy and did I mention MUSIC, LOUD music. 

Luckily this year the float for the Tecolote group was not made down the hill from me.  Last year it was accompanied by BOOMING music that shook my windows.  I actually got up the other night, Saturday, at 2:30AM and went up on the roof to see if there were people making the float without music.  Nope, no sign of them.  Then yesterday, I saw the booming music machine set up in another colonia closer to the jardin.
Whew.

The latest article in Atencion about the Locos Parade tied it to a saint's day.  I don't remember reading that in the past.  I always had read what I wrote above.  If it is in honor of a saint, I'm sure he was rocking in his grave yesterday, somewhere, enjoying the rollicking tribute of 8000 people celebrating.

The parade is broken up into cuadrillos very similar to the Krewes of Mardi Gras.   They have meetings.  They coordinate their activities which seems absolutely necessary for that many marching people.  It is Quite a sight.  Something that is hard to describe.  YOU just have to be here to see it for your self.

Our rains usually start the week after LOCOS.  So, BRING ON THE RAIN!

The Importance of Father's Day...........Every Day!

 I've always thought Father's Day is so important.  It always appeared to me that fathers were the strong, silent ones who never complained, worked all the time and in the case of my dad, sometimes had a hole in the sole of his shoe that he NEVER complained about to anyone.  I was going to write about him, and I still might, but I observe a younger father on a regular basis.  It seemed to me that fathering today is much different then it was sixty or seventy years ago.

 It's still the same about being the strong, silent, never complaining part.  But the involvement of a father today, especially a single father, is totally different. Way, way more involved.

Growing up in the 40's and 50's I don't remember ever meeting a single dad.  Ever.  But, in the 80's and 90's after being widowed and dating, I met and dated several single fathers who were raising their children alone.

Selfless, sensitive, kind men - all of them.  Even a few years ago I was blessed to know and date a man who raised SIX kids alone.  It was a privilege to know all of them and him, to put it mildly.  A great memory.

Now I watch on a regular basis as my son has partial custody of his children on two days a week that are always his favorite days.  He looks forward to the time with great enthusiasm.  He comes up with all kinds of innovative things to do and places to go.  One of their favorites is to play on the playground equipment at various places and parks in town.  Another is to go on environmental hikes up at the botanical gardens.  It's always something.

Friends tell me they see the three of them walking down the street or at the organic market - always having fun.  Big smiles and laughter.

To tell you the truth, I don't think I ever went anywhere with my Dad alone in all my years at home.  He worked and he came home.  We cooked in the backyard and watched TV as a family, but other then that, I don't think Dads back then were nearly as involved with the day to day care of their children.

For me, it's fun to just observe the shenanigans of the kids with their dad.  It makes me know that all is right with their world along with the fact that these are memories and lessons that will impact them for their whole lives.

For my son, the rest of the world melts away when he is with  Sebastian and Matilda.  The most important thing to him is being their Father.

                                                            Happy Father's Day John.
      
AND, Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there reading this.  You are VERY important and loved.

Street Scenes - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

It's impossible to live in San Miguel de Allende and not have a camera.  Everywhere you look is something to capture to enjoy.

As I entered the jardin on Friday a musician was playing such beautiful, lilting music.  As I sat on the bench farther away, the music wafted down to where I was sitting.  SO enjoyable and lovely.

 On Saturday morning, as I headed down Cuahtemoc, the man who sells dirt was doing just that with one of my neighbors.  To all those who say they just walk through town to please the tourists, I say, "Walk the streets away from the jardin and you'll see how real and necessary these dirt sellers are to us who have gardens".  I've written about the men and women who walk down from the mountains with the rich soil from near the extinct volcano outside of town.  Quite an example of industrious people.

On the other hand, over in the "high rent" district, this photo of the Hotel Matilde was commissioned by the owner of the hotel, I'm told.  The artist, a former street graffiti artist painted this for a particular event at the hotel, I presume.  I don't know how long it will be there.  Interesting.

The fun is never knowing what you're going to see or want to photograph.  I NEVER leave home without my camera.  I don't go looking for photographs.  They just seem to leap out to me.  If I were a true photographer, I would probably wear myself out.

There are a million (I don't exaggerate) photos to be taken in this visually beautiful village.

Nature's gift to us.

Yesterday, after things had settled down a bit and the colonia event was in a siesta mode, my neighbor Rick and I sat out on the flagstone patio to share photos of the pre-dawn and dawn events in the street by the houses.

Rick has an I-Pad or Tablet, or whatever it is, that he took many photos and videoed the mornings cacophony of noise.  (That is an understatement).  The video is wonderful, as not only can you see the flares of the fireworks over my roof terrace, but you can also hear the tuba band.  It makes me laugh out loud when hearing it and then when hearing it again on the video.

It seems that there are five or six musicians. I use that term loosely.  And none of them appear, in their earnestness, to be playing the same music.  It's a delight to witness.

After we looked at the smoke-filled and fireworks-filled photos against the sunrise, Rick showed me the photo above.  It was taken from the roof terrace of the guest house.  I was enthralled.

I've enjoyed the jacaranda tree from my roof terrace.  However from there all you can see is the canopy of the tree, not the whole thing and not from a slight distance.  The magnificence of it is beautiful beyond my expectations.

I asked if he would email it to me, which he did.  I then decided to share this beautiful sight with you.  The whole tree, when covered with monarchs in March is breathtaking.  Although, as far as I know, there were none in this photo, it is still breathtaking to me.

I always revel in the fact that nature, which is free for our enjoyment, can touch our hearts and senses in such a profound way, IF we take time to notice.

Aha! A Colonia Celebration in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

 I knew something was going to happen.........just not what yesterday afternoon.  For the past few days there had been saber rattling down at the corner, a few processions by the house and then yesterday afternoon blue flag banners were being hung across various streets in the colonia.  Even on my street.  I'd never seen them on this street before.  So, I wondered.  Last evening when I heard the saber rattling again, I went to the roof terrace to see where and what was going on.
Down at the corner, there were Aztec and Spanish marchers doing their dance and battle.  A re-creation of sorts.  Along with that the men were carrying the Crucifix that I had seen one previous day in the wooden box along with the Mexican flag.
They headed to Cuesta de San Jose and then went up the street to the far corner of my street where tables were set up with food.  I heard distant drums and war whoops until about 10PM. 

 This parade last night, besides being religious, also had the mojigangas with men inside walking up the hill.  It was going to be a fun time for all!  Mojigangas are made of papier mache and card board.  Interestingly, I believe this tradition came from the Spanish, as I recently saw some in a video from Spain.  In the past, I thought it was strictly a Mexican tradition. 

I thought the evening festivities would be the whole event.  I was WRONG!

Sometime, before 5:30AM, I heard fireworks outside my bedroom wall.  Then I heard the tuba band.  And it went on and on and on some more!  Obviously I got up, went to the roof to see who and what was going on.
In past years, it was hundreds of people with a banner of the Virgen.  Not today.  Today it was a huge statue of the Virgen Mary along with the box with Jesus on the Crucifix along with beautiful flowers.  Amazing.

 The band was there too, along with scattered people watching the fireworks go off and the sun come up.  I was awed and actually giggled as the fireworks were going overhead.  SO LOUD!  The wooden sticks that the fireworks are attached to were falling on the roof terrace.  I decided maybe that wasn't the safest place for me to be.

With one last turn to the East to get the rising sun (something I don't see often), I scurried down the stairs to make coffee at 6:15AM.  Fireworks still going off.  It is quite amazing how they set up the fireworks in a metal case to go off over the canyon which causes them to reverberate.

About 6:55 it all ended.  They headed back up the street and total quiet fell back upon this area.

I'm astounded how people get up in the dark for these celebrations, frequently, in the cold, and honor whatever or whoever it is that they are honoring.  I so wish I knew more about the symbolism of everything.
But, who to ask?  I have no idea.

There is no doubt however, that each colonia in San Miguel celebrates at some time or other.  We have fireworks frequently, but usually in the distance.  Not five feet from my house.

Next week will be the Locos Parade where thousands of costumed people will parade throughout the centro.  When I say thousands, I'm not exaggerating.  It is quite an amazing site.  Mardi Gras has nothing on San Miguel de Allende.

I hope to get some photos if possible and then I'll tell you the history of the Locos Parade.  That story and symbolism, I do know.  It's quite extraordinary.