It's Been Five Months...

Wow, some days it feels like I've been in Guadalajara all my life, other days it seems like I just got here. And some days I just want to get in my car and drive north...that only happens when it gets really, really hot here which so far was only for a week back in May. But, I'm still traumatized!

Life is quiet here. Very quiet but in a good way. I quite like it...I can hear myself think!

Guadalajara is a busy city. Busy in the sense that everyone works hard. So, in general everything around here is quiet, because everyone is going at it, quietly. Work comes first. Actually, work comes second to family duties and values. So far, what I've experienced is that people work hard but not because they can get rich, they actually make little money; they do it because they're glad to have a job and are able to provide for their families. There is great respect for having a job and for trying your best not to f*&^ up and lose it. The ethic is really admirable.

That makes me one luck guy, actually. Yes, I work, but only 18 hours a week, teaching English. The pay is very good for Mexican standards, OK for U.S. standards (if you're, say, in Mississippi or Arkansas), and laughable for New York standards. Yes, it's easier to think of NY a its own country. So, with my low wages and few work hours, I've managed to find a nicer balance in my life. I feel richer in having more free time!

So, what else do I do with rest of my time? Well, I spend a decent amount of time developing this idea for a business that I want to start here (more on that later). I also try to cook everyday. I love it. It's like a meditation for me. Chava is my tester and he's a hard one to please so that keeps me on my toes. Lately, one of my biggest joys is to be able to use herbs from my garden to create my recipes. Ah, the simple life!

I still go to the gym and I do my yoga pretty regularly at home (Chava is a convert now). We download some fantastic classes from the Internet thanks to a podcast I found called Yoga Today. Speaking of podcasts, I don't know how I lived without them. They're free audio and video programs on everything imaginable. I love the fact that I have time to listen to many of these and they help me not feel so far away from US life...I try to keep a pulsebeat on things that interest me, much of it from the US.

Wait, I still have time left to do a lot of other thinking. These days, the environment seems to be a concern of mine...Guadalajara gives you plenty to think about, frankly. I already know that the green movement is the "in" thing but I do feel that my current concerns are well inline with this evolution that has taken over my life for the last 3 years or so...I'll be sure to share some more thoughts on that.

Well, I think this is getting long for my first post. I plan to share many of my thoughts here and keep everyone updated on my life here in Mexico. I guess I feel that I have something to say so, stay tuned! Until next time, adios!!!