Job Discussion Forums

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

What are the things that you didn't take to Mexico that you wish you did?

On the flipside, what are the things you took to Mexico that you wish had left behind?

Thanks!

Danielita

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

There was a similar thread on the Latin America forum...
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34491
In retrospect, I wouldn�t have bothered bringing my iron, blow-dryer, or computer printer, I would have bought them here and packed even more clothing Wink

. My laptop has continued to be indespensable, however.

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

Thanks Samizinha...
I will take a look at the other thread!

D

cwc · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 372

Clothes are cheap, buy them here. Don�t even think about bringing a desk-top computer, super cheap here.

Bring books that you find difficult to read. I left over 700 books and brought 300 reference-type books that took a long time to read. Bring English readers for the level you will be teaching. It all comes down to books, 90% for you and the remainder for your students.

You need to remember that your life is going to change drastically. That�s the idea, isn�t it? You aren�t coming as a tourist. You will be tired, frustrated, and probably sick. Sweet dreams.

Books and money, worked for me.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

I guess it comes down to what you value personally. Bring most of what you need, and some of what you want.
Clothing can be cheap here, but I find that the price is often related to the quality. I prefer high quality clothing that will last me a long time, and I haven't found a lot of that in Mexico. I'll continue to buy my clothing in Canada when I can. Size and fit can also be an issue here, I have no idea why.
I'm a voratious reader, but since books weigh so much, I had to forsake those for the first two trips, relying instead on the internet, and my school's library.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Women's clothes can be tough to fit here. I've had a really hard time finding pants to fit. I see plenty of women on the streets my size or larger (and I'm average) so I can't figure out why the stores only seem to have small sizes. Other clothes are less of a problem though I find some of them too skimpy for my taste.

Definitely bring books if you can. They are worth a lot with other expats. If you use contact lenses, especially the hard kind, bring lots of solution.

I can't think of anything else specific, at least not things that are easy to fit in a suitcase!

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Good points MELEE. Bazaars and seamstresses are great options for quality clothing that fits.

I just think it's important for newbies to be aware of their options here and be prepared to have a hard time finding clothes in stores.

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

Where did you find cheap electronics in Mexico,cwc?All the electronics I have I had to buy stateside.Computers and televisions especially are twice as much in the frontera than they are in the US.Wal-Mart in Tijuana is very expensive.Everybody who can goes to Wal-Mart in Chula Vista (5 miles outside of San Diego near the border) to shop.I often bring back tv's and dvd players for my neighbors without visas.

cwc · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 372

Gordo,
Telmex sells Dell computers with internet included for 30 bucks a month for 36 months. The internet is worth 20 bucks a month. TVs are a little higher here, but coming down. My favorite store here is Soriana, TVs and air conditioners are fairly cheap. I just bought a Sony portable DVD player for 1,200 pesos. Coolest thing I�ve ever owned. We have a Sam�s. They have a Sony DVD recorder that I want, 2,000 pesos.
I am certain that the commercial dynamic is skewed at the border. Fortunately, I am a long way from there. I am sure the only info. relevant to you is the Telmex deal. cwc

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

cwc · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 372

Not the recorder, the player yes. A DVD recorder RECORDS DVDs. It appears nobody here sees the need to record DVDs and they are stuck with a big stock backlog. They started out at 2,999 before X-mas.

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

Thanks so much for all your recommendations. This is really helpful. I thought that clothing would be rather easy to find, but I never thought about quality or fit.
Are shoes the same thing? I have a size 10 foot and an addiction to footwear (I have been called Imelda before). Will quality and fit also be difficult?

Thanks
D

MELEE · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:34 pm Post subject:

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

If I were to bring my own sheets (excellent idea, it hadn't even remotely occurred to me), what size matress might I find in a cheapish furnished apartment? Are twin beds the norm?