Traveling Alone with a Minor Internationally

Next week, Annabelle and I are headed back the U.S. a few days before Mike.

I am a little nervous about flying alone with Annabelle. She is well traveled, I would say, having flown over 8 round trips in her short little life! But, this is our first time traveling without Mike.

I have talked to the airline and some women from the playgroup. The airline suggested a notarized letter of consent. The playgroup women that do this on a fairly regular basis said they have letters from their husband, but they aren't dated or notarized. They said they've never had any issue.

Still, I am nervous that with a non-notarized letter, a copy of Mike's flight itinerary for a few days later, and a copy of his FM3 visa, I will be asked to have some additional documentation.

...My letter is not notarized, because to get it notarized at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, you have to have an appointment on a weekday between 2 and 4. Since Mike has been getting home from work anytime between 6:30 pm and 1:45 am...we would never have made it to an appointment there. Aside from the embassy, I'm not sure where to get the letter notarized. We considered Banamex, but after my DMV-like experience there the other day, I am not confident that we'd be able to get it done, especially in a timely manner!

So, I will take my chances next week with my non-notarized documentation, download a couple of new episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Dora onto the iPad, and head to the airport, crossing my fingers!

Montezuma...It's Inevitable

Montezuma's Revenge.

Unfortunately, getting it is inevitable in Mexico.

When we came to visit, for the first time, in October 2010, we weren't cautious. We brushed our teeth with water from the faucet. Quickly, Mike got a severe case of Montezuma and I a mild case. Mike's severe case included a fever, chills, body aches, and having to go to the bathroom every 10 minutes or so. Within 4 days, he lost 10 pounds.

Since that happened, we have been pretty cautious. Mike has been here since January, with no problems. We cook with bottled water, brush our teeth with bottled water, and ONLY drink bottled beverages at restaurants and at home.

However, this past Sunday, we went to El Bajio, a Mexican restaurant here in Polanco. The food was good, well priced, good atmosphere...and the HOTTEST salsa I have ever had in my life. My mouth was on fire for a good five minutes after having a bite. My Coca-Cola Light and botelo de agua didn't help at all. I got hot flashes and teary eyed waiting for my mouth to stop burning! Apparently...I also got montezuma.

Racking my brain since I got sick on Tuesday evening, the salsa is the only thing I can think of that I have eaten that was not cooked. Luckily, another mild case for me. The worst part was having to go the immigration office on Wednesday morning to pick up our FM3 cards. We walked about 10 blocks to get there, talked to the attorney, sat down for a minute, then walked up to sign, get fingerprinted, and get our cards. As I was signing my third document, I started losing my hearing and vision, on the verge of fainting. I quickly excused myself and sat down for a few minutes, which made a HUGE difference, luckily...since I had to walk 10 blocks to get back in bed!

Luckily, Annabelle is a picky eater. Thus, we have not had to deal with her getting Montezuma, which will most likely dehydrate her and put her in the hospital. So, for now, I am not pushing her to eat more foods!

Safety in Mexico City

Before coming to Mexico, we did a lot of research on the safety in Mexico. After spending some time in Mexico City, we felt cautious, but confident in our decision to take the assignment here.

After living in Mexico City for the past three weeks, we feel very comfortable here and very safe. We feel as safe in Mexico City, as we do in the U.S.

Originally we thought, we'll be fine as long as we don't leave the house after dark, and don't venture far from our condo.

Now, we don't think twice about leaving after dark, nor do we feel insecure anywhere in Polanco.

Granted Polanco is one of the nicest parts of Mexico City.

Every condo/apartment building has 24/7 security. Every store has security guards. And, every restaurant has valet parking attendants galore! Additionally, the "policia" are very visible.

There are people everywhere, at all hours of the day. I feel very comfortable every time I leave my building, whether it is with or without Mike. Annie and I leave daily, strolling to the park, the store, a playgroup...or our favorite place...Yogurtland!

Granted, there is still petty crime, as in every city. So, I don't flash my iPhone around while walking, nor do I leave the diaper bag and my credit card unattended. But, I feel like if something does eventually get stolen, it's probably going to be my fault for not paying attention.

We have talked to one of our neighbors. The wife is Italian. She says that Mexico City is just like Naples, Italy and she feels right at home, with the great food and great people! Meanwhile, Mike and I have been comparing the feel of Mexico City to Miami, where you can get out and walk, as we do constantly on weekends and weeknights!

At this time, we are hoping our assignment gets extended!

And, we encourage everyone we know to think positively of Mexico and to visit Mexico...as long as you stay away from the drug wars and the border cities that are plagued with drug war violence!

Renting Furniture vs. Buying

After weeks of window shopping, a woman in our playgroup told us about www.novorenta.com, where we can rent furniture!! This company will rent you everything from furniture to appliances to dishes and cutlery.

After doing the math, it works out much cheaper to rent a couch, chairs, and a desk. In all, for 8 months, that will cost us much less than buying a semi-decent couch!

So, we are excited to get the furniture this Thursday! Mike especially is looking forward to no longer sitting on the floor!

We still need to get to one of the street markets this weekend to purchase a tv stand, bedside table and little table for Annabelle!

But, as we are expecting our air shipment by the 14th, the condo is coming together!

Single Family Living to Condo Living

Adjusting to living in a condo building is going well, but different that expected.

I think the problem is is that I didn't give the adjustment much thought, beyond figuring out what I would need on a day to day basis.

Mike and I didn't consider that the front walkway isn't conducive to a stroller. Every time we take the stroller out, we get in the elevator, go down to the garage, then walk up the car ramp. Luckily, we haven't gone up or down the ramp at the same time as a car...yet.

Also, we didn't have any clue that the majority of buildings in Mexico do NOT have heat or air conditioning. We don't need either, due to the amazing weather. However, both the furnace and a/c generate noise. Noise that cancels out your neighbor's dog barking, door slamming, car honking (as Mexicans LOVE to do), and the noise of cars on the ramp entering and exiting the building.

There is no insulation. The exterior doors are thin. The exterior walls are single pane glass. Sounds travel!

It is also a bit frustrating because when Annabelle cries or is yelling, I know everyone in the building can hear her! So, when I am trying not to give into her, or am making her cry herself to sleep, I feel guilty that everyone can hear her...and I feel like a bad parent!

In all, I adore my building. The unit is spacious and nice. We love the floor plan. It is just a lot louder than life in the suburbs of Chicago, in a single family house! We could use some white noise and noise reduction measures!!

Banking at Banamex

Banamex is one of Mexico's largest banks. It is owned by Citibank.

Today, Annabelle and I went to our local Banamex branch, in Polanco, to see if we could get pesos out of our U.S. Citibank account.

It was an interesting experience.

First, when you walk in...it's like going to the DMV in the U.S. You immediately take a ticket, then go sit down in the rows of chairs, until your number is called.

There must have been 30 people waiting, with more coming in the door behind me! I wanted to take a picture...but in the U.S. for security reasons, that is generally not allowed. So, I figured I shouldn't take a photo in Mexico...

Apparently you can pay utility bills at Banamex, which is probably what the majority of people were doing.

I ended up just paying my gas bill, as I wasn't able to take funds out of my U.S. checking out. However, they were very nice about getting someone to speak English with me and tell me what I need to do to get a Banamex Mexico checking account! -- documents needed include my FM3 visa, passport and a utility bill with my name on it!

Child Endangerment...Or Life in Mexico?

A few weeks ago, we walked to the attorney's office for Mike's company, to get help filling out immigration forms in Spanish. Upon completing the forms, the attorney told us she had called us a cab and her colleague was going to go across town with us to get our immigration photos taken.

She spoke English pretty well, but there was a disconnect as we told her that we didn't have a car seat for Annabelle, and that we would walk across town and meet her colleague there.

She was insistent on us taking the cab, and that the stroller would go in the trunk.

So, after looking at each other, Mike and I went with it. We got in the cab, holding onto Annabelle, as we went across town.

In the end, it was fine. No big deal.

However, in the U.S., I would NEVER have considered getting into a car without a car seat.

I'm not sure what a U.S. cop would say or ticket me for there...but here in Mexico...anything goes!