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[diderot]

I posted this in the General Latin America Forum before realising that this forum has more activity...

Okay so I have been teaching in Japan for a while now and I know that I will be leaving for South or Central America or MExico at the end of my contract.

I am thinking mexico is the place for me but i dont have my heart set on it yet.

One of my main concerns is that ill be able to drive wherever i go. Not driving is one of the things i dislike most about living in japan. So my question is will I be able to drive my car from the States and use it in Mexico? What about farther south? Is it possible to drive safely from texas to say.. Argentina? Is this crazy? Why? Please forgive my ignorance as I am just begining to reasearch the area.

I will probably get a celta either before or after my move, so are there any obvious things I should be aware of?

Of course, should anyone like to offer any other advice such as recomendations on a country, I would love to hear them.

Ill be thankful for any information!

[magpie]

I will let others speak about different parts of Mexico, I just drove down from the Dallas area in my Honda Civic to San Andres Tuxtla which is about 2 hours south of Veracruz the beginning of last month. Just me, a mature woman and two whining cats, a carload of books, teaching materials, PowerBook, portable printer, 1 large suitcase and sewing machine. Dallas to Brownsville, stopped overnight and bought car insurance and got some very good advice on the roads from the man at Sanborn's. Next day I crossed the border at Brownsville with absolutely NO hassle (no one checked my cats' health certificates), and proceeded south down highway 80, spent the night in a small roadside hotel north of Tuxpan.

The next day continued on South as 80 becomes 180. There are some REALLY rough roads in spots. I was warned on one section near Naranja and encountered another bad stretch at Boca del Toro. However, I must tell you that before I left I had driven to Chicago and there were even worse roads there (hate to say that--I'm a Chi-town native, but it's sadly true.) The BIGGEST problem I had driving with a full car was the topes, because my Civic is low to the ground even when empty. DO NOT hit them going over 10 miles an hour -- and they sometimes sneak up on you!!

I want to say that I am not fluent in Spanish (I can speak enough to ask intelligent questions and respond, etc.)--but EVERYWHERE I stopped, either for gas or directions people were very helpful and kind. I did not encounter any problems. I have driven the US and not been treated nearly so well.

The DOS had secured a parking place for me for which I pay $350p a month. Do I drive it much? At the moment no, but I will because the area is beautiful--and since my car is a Honda with low miles, I didn't want to store or sell it. As to the stuff I hauled down here, well I have a second job that depends on internet access which I have via DSL in my apartment (unavailable in my TX home). Sewing machine--I have 3 fabric stores within 2 blocks of my apartment, books I brought--donated 2 boxes to the school and 1 box holds my own teaching materials.

Since I have my FM3 visa now, I do not have to return across the border at the 6 month period to renew the car permit -- my DOS and I verified this when we were in Veracruz after being told that I DID have to return--NO you don't--it's in the VERY small print somewhere.

Not everyone needs or wants a car here--probably wisest not to bring one due to the cost (gas, parking, insurance)--but there are exceptions. I do want to travel around on my schedule and I do plan to return to the States on holiday. And, if you have pets, well . . .

I'm sure some of the others on the board can give you advice that differs depending on their location and situation. After soaking up all the information do what is best for you and best of luck!!

[diderot]

Wow. Fantastic info! Thanks Magpie.

Chi-town? Is that Chicago?

I know western Pennsylvania, my point of origin, is known for bad roads also, so it will be interesting to compare.

I hadnt even considered taking a pet until you mentioned you cats. I do have a dog at home. How is <that> working out for you, if you dont mind my asking.

All in all, it sounds like you life is pretty good there. No?

[magpie]

My dog, a small Boston Terrier, was supposed to come instead of the cats, but my daughter offered to care her. The friend that was going to keep the cats became ill at the last minute so I had no choice but to bring them. Some things happen for a good reason, though. My apartment here is on the 3rd (really the 4th floor since they don't count the ground floor). That's 4 flights up and down each time--taking the dog out quickly would be a BIG hassle. it's not like you can just open the back door. Also, it's like living in any city--no real place to walk a dog--and there are mongrel dogs who sleep outside the apartment, so my little one would probably be eaten for lunch if I turned my back.

Having cats instead of the dog is a lot easier. The love the tile floor and the apartment is large and they have plenty of space.

Right now life is good. My classes are small and my students are very well behaved and fast learners. My Spanish is improving every day and I'm definitely glad I made the choice to come here.

Yes, Chi-town is Chicago, but only natives use it much.