Fishing with Ron

Well setting up an inflatable is not my favorite thing, I'd much prefer trailering it and just dropping it in the water. Neither is bouncing along at a rather fast trolling speed in a 10ft light boat. Besides that it was good to be out on the water and we had a really good time.

We caught a Barrilete right out of the Barra de Navidad harbor and we let it go. They were jumping everywhere so thought we might be pulling in a bunch. Out around the point to Playa de Cocos and then up to Cuastecomate. No more hits on that run heading west. On the way back closer to shore we had 5-6 strikes and at the mouth of the bay Ron hooked one. We first thought another Barrilete but then it jumped. Barrilete's don't jump.

With a very light pole and tackle Ron wasn't able to muscle it in so played it for about a half hour. We weren't sure it was a Dorado until it surfaced close to the boat. It was a female so didn't have the big head that males do ... but was about a meter long and weighed 8-9 kilos.

It made for a wonderful dinner made by Dora and her mom. I brought my neighbors so the kids could play in the hotel pool. We watched the sunset and headed home very full.

Dorado on the surface

Dorado in the boat

Ron with fish and mother in law

Getting ready to eat

Melaque sunset

Día de la Revolución

Revolution Day is actually the 20th but Friday is the day for all the schools to march. This is about the Primary school in Pinal Villa and the kindergarden kids. My neighbor was in the dance group so she wanted me there for fotos.

There is supposed to be more marching on Monday in Melaque and a big party on the plaza come Tuesday night. Ron and Dora are here from San Miguel so we'll probably go.

Kids gathering

This was to throw firecrackers into

Jardin de Ninos or kindergarden

Front of the parade

The dance troop with Jania front left

Wendy's Quinceañera

By far the most impressive Quinceanera I've been to and I'm sure the family went into debt to pay for it. Wendy and her mom are neighbors of mine and I've been hearing about this for months. My Canadian neighbors arrived about a week ago and they are also good friends with the family. We did contribute but sure hope many others did.

It started with a Misa (Mass) at the church that was an hour and a half long. I didn't understand any of it but am sure it's a ritual of coming of age (15 year old girl) and income for the church. Probably 60-70 people at the Misa which started at 5:30.

The party started at 8 at Marisco's Ruby. They rented the whole hall for the night. Food, beer, a bottle of tequila on each table, fancy music system and light-show. Must have been 300+ people there, mostly from our community but probably most of the teenage boys in the area. Jimmy, Sandy and I were the only gringos. I took my Mexican neighbors family and we left early because they have a 2 year old ... and the Disco music was ... well, disco music. Very fun party.

Wendy arriving at the church

Her court

Her court at the party

The disco as the teenagers took over

Retirees forced out of Mexico

Well it certainly seems that  way with the new immigration rules published this morning.   I know tons of people who either own a home or rely on cheap rent so do well with the old income requirements of $12-1300us a month.   To raise that limit almost $800 is going to be a problem for many.  It gets especially spooky when people who have lived here for 10+ years as home owners talk about being forced to sell and leave because their house is not worth $195K and they have a modest income.   Then we have all the people, mainly on the coast, who own Ejido land and don't have title so value of the house is irrelevant ... it's not really theirs.  I'm in the twilight zone as far as income but adjusting it now would not give me the 6 months required in January.   Do we need to look for another place to live?

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

• Original and copy of proof of investments or bank accounts with an average worth over the previous year equivalent to $95,000.00 USD;
• Original and copy of documents that prove that the foreigner has had for the previous six months an income from a job (outside of Mexico) or a pension that pays at least $1,950.00 USD per month;
• Proof of a any familiar bond with another Temporary or Permanent Resident or a marital (or equivalent) bond with a Mexican;
• Original and copy of a notarized public deed showing ownership (or trust rights) to a property in Mexico worth at least $195,000.00 USD; 
• Proof of participation of at least $100,000.00 USD in a Mexican company;
• Proof of ownership in heavy equipment or machinery in Mexico worth more than $100,000.00 USD; OR
• Proof of doing business in Mexico and legally creating at least 5 jobs for Mexicans.

PERMANENT RESIDENT

• Original and copy of proof of investments or bank accounts with an average worth over the previous year equivalent to $95,000.00 USD;
• Original and copy of documents that prove that the foreigner has had for the previous six months an income from a job (outside of Mexico) or a pension that pays at least $2,400.00 USD per month;
• Proof of parent-child bond with a Mexican citizen by birth (this would be birth certificates of everyone involved, plus any other documents proving the citizenship of the Mexican citizen);
• Proof of the same parent-child bond with another Permanent Resident; OR
• Proof that you have enough points (based on a points system that still hasn’t been published).

Last rain of the year?

Hurricane season isn't over until the end of the month but last week we'd thought the rain was over. Suddenly this 'Invest' which now has a 50% chance of becoming a storm showed up giving us 48 hours of rain and very cool temperatures. Not at all unwelcome after the October heat which I believe was the warmest month of the year. A nice relaxing cool weekend.