(Turn On Sound)
That's right. We have a rooster in Queretaro. So, when we wake up in the morning, we don't hear the sounds from our suburban home in Agoura. Instead, we hear the crowing of a rooster and the cackling of hens, chickens and other creatures in our backyard.
The first day we heard him, I affectionately named him Rusty. Rusty the Rooster. It seemed like a fitting name. Kind of an All-American name in Queretaro. As Rusty cock-a-doodling the morning here in Mexico, we are all scurrying about, going to school and to work.
This is Gavin's high school--and Diane's work!
C-H-A-N-G-E-S So, has life for us changed? Well, yes. No longer do we hear coyotes howling, sirens blazing, the traffic from the 101 freeway or garbage trucks in the early morning. We just hear Rusty the Rooster.
Rudy guarding la fuenta at Jardin Zenea
Other things have changed as well. We Uber everywhere. As the Uber commercial says, it's like having your own personal driver. Because that's what they are. Financially, it's less expensive here than to drive--if you factor in insurance, maintenance and the high price of gas. Plus, this way I can put on my tie, text in the car or Diane can put on her makeup. In Los Angeles, I would walk up to 1 mile a day; in Queretaro, my average walk is about 2-5 miles a day. No, we're not walking everywhere--but it is faster to walk to the restaurant than to drive there. We walk to the bank, to the panaderia (Queretaro's Bea's Bakery), the gym, the market, the park--for Rudy--the hair stylist, and, oh, we just walk almost everywhere.
The mysterious "Los Arcos" lit up by a full moon
There are some disadvantages about being in Mexico--a "third world country." Our apartment has no garbage disposal, no dishwasher, no heat or air conditioning. Sometimes the hot water runs out, and other times the electricity just turns off.
Life is simple, here. Manana seems to be the word of the day. Everyday. Especially tomorrow.
And the advantages? Lots.
I have yet to find a mean person in Queretaro. Even when you are trying to speak Spanish, they will try to help you and figure out what you need. People smile and say "Buenos Dias" all the time. At the park, couples will just hold hands or be arm-in-arm. No hidden agenda. Nowhere to run to--just being with each other.
Streets at Night
And, the food is fantastic. Even the tacos on the street are delicious. (more on this on a later blog called "la comida"--I think that means "the food.") Diane continues to cook, and usually not Mexican food. She has cooked salmon, "panko" chicken with rice, pulled pork sandwiches, and baked cookies, banana nut loaf, and brownies. Yes, when we are all starving, Gavin might throw a tortilla on the fire with some avocado and cheese--and salsa. That can be the dinner.
Working at El Mercado
Where do we go shopping? El Mercado de la Cruz, of course. The first time we went to el mercado we were aghast--the smell alone could have killed us. Now, we buy much of what we have at the market--fruits, vegetables, tortillas, soap, juices, yogurts, kitchen supplies, gorditas, and even electrical supplies. Diane found a baker's store--a kind of Sur Le Table del Queretaro--which has everything a baker would ever need. No packaging--usually, the clerk divvies out the rice with their hands. The elderly woman makes corn tortillas with her own hands. Fresh. Good. And there is no USDA here. Your receipt is scrawled on a little piece of paper by hand.
Templo de San Francisco
And, yes, prices here are low. Generally. If you go shopping at United States stores, they are usually the same price (Gap, Old Navy, Office Depot, Costco, Home Depot, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. are all here). But with the peso quickly dropping against the U.S. dollar, our dollar is worth about 4 times the peso.
The view from Gavin's room
Me at the apartment
Our Apartment Courtyard
Another view from our apartment
A typical Queretaro street
Then, there's the beauty. The streets of Queretaro are colorful and filled with mystery. Diane always remarks that you don't know what is behind each door. While one door may look old and decrepit, it may open up into a beautiful courtyard. Our friend tells us that the city wants to preserve the history and the doors looking old, but the people want newer apartments inside. So, there are a lot of renovations going on--behind closed doors (literally).
This is not Southern California. It rains. And there are white, billowing clouds which fill the sky. All in all, this is a beautiful place to live.
Living the good life
A beautiful day in Queretaro
Next blog: La Comida, Celebrations (including Yom Kippur and Thanksgiving), Educational system, and Bureaucracy--that will include my 8 visits to the Immigracion Office to become a temporary resident, and the election (gulp).
