Well...it's been a l-o-n-g time but the place is done. Tomorrow my movers arrive. They will pick up the furniture in my apartment and then in a few weeks will stop by Giacomo's storage place to get the rest.
I will be staying with Oliver in L.A. for a couple of days and then will return to San Jose to see my sister through her treatments. Must physically be in PV on May 1 to close escrow or whatever they call it in Mexico (it's a bank trust).
Oliver helped me pack up a lot of things today and I am exhausted. I don't know how I would have done this without him. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Price of Margarita's in P.V.
Way down in my blog I wrote about Laurel's question about the price of Margaritas in Puerto Vallarta....when I was last there (exchange rate was 12.50pesons = $1. USD)my friend and I got the happy hour deal for $3.US for two great mango margaritas! Now the exchange rate is $15pesos to $1 USD...those margaritas keep getting cheaper. Two pounds of avocados sell for $1.50 USD...gotta love those prices.
In the meantime I am leaving my apartment on Friday and will be living with my son, my sister and friends in Monterey, Carmel and the bay area....mostly I expect to be in San Jose helping my sister as she deals with some medical issues. Since I don't have a for-sure address you can just use my cell phone which T-mobile gave me a fabulous 'deal' on....unlimited calls anytime in the USA for $45....so call away...anytime but not too early.
Anyone wanting to help me pack let me know as Oliver and I will be boxing up 'stuff' and probably giving away some good things as we get ready for Friday's move.
In the meantime I am leaving my apartment on Friday and will be living with my son, my sister and friends in Monterey, Carmel and the bay area....mostly I expect to be in San Jose helping my sister as she deals with some medical issues. Since I don't have a for-sure address you can just use my cell phone which T-mobile gave me a fabulous 'deal' on....unlimited calls anytime in the USA for $45....so call away...anytime but not too early.
Anyone wanting to help me pack let me know as Oliver and I will be boxing up 'stuff' and probably giving away some good things as we get ready for Friday's move.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Soon!
After four l-o-n-g years the divorce is final (some days are really just great and that one was stellar!) ...still some loose ends but this happens just in time. I got an email today that the Puerto Vallarta condo regime will be final in a week or two and I have 60 days to close after that.
I am staying with my sister in San Jose who had a very serious operation 2 weeks ago that's a story for my personal blog which I'll update soon. In the meantime Ed is supposed to send me some money in 5 - 6 weeks that almosts covers the amount I will need to close on my condo ($30K short). I should have easily have been able to cover it but 'you-know-who' has to support his 38 year old girlfriend (who is yonger than his youngest son) and her 9 year old son while living in a million dollar plus home....anyway if you would like to donate to the "save JoAnne's condo" (remember the site "Save Karen") Donations accepted by PayPal (jrockower@gmail.com).
I am staying with my sister in San Jose who had a very serious operation 2 weeks ago that's a story for my personal blog which I'll update soon. In the meantime Ed is supposed to send me some money in 5 - 6 weeks that almosts covers the amount I will need to close on my condo ($30K short). I should have easily have been able to cover it but 'you-know-who' has to support his 38 year old girlfriend (who is yonger than his youngest son) and her 9 year old son while living in a million dollar plus home....anyway if you would like to donate to the "save JoAnne's condo" (remember the site "Save Karen") Donations accepted by PayPal (jrockower@gmail.com).
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fun Dinner
Club BON APPETIT has a fabulous 'Chef's Table & Wine Tasting". It takes place during PV's high season and is hosted by Paco Pilon who takes over Restaurant La Hacienda for one night a month. Each tasting has a theme. This months theme was Road to Bangkok. Next months will be Gourmet Mexico. Price is 385 pesos ($29) which includes wine and tip.
Be warned: seating is limited and this event sells out fast!
The evening starts at 7:30pm with cocktails and hors d'orves. The following is the Thai menu:
Be warned: seating is limited and this event sells out fast!
The evening starts at 7:30pm with cocktails and hors d'orves. The following is the Thai menu:
Thai Carrot Soup
Chicken Satays
Savory Beef in Red Curry Sauce
Carpaccio of Pineapple
All are accompanied by an appropriate wine. The chef comes out mid meal to discuss the menu and the wines.
Make reservations by emailing pacotoody@usa.net
or call Paco at 224-0029 (in Puerto Vallarta)
Restaurant La Hacienda, Lazaro Cardenas #388, Colkonia E. Zapata, Tel: 222-0590
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Got my FM3
Once I arrived in Mexico I found that there was more to do to get my FM-3 visa....even though I had it in hand and got it stamped at the airport I was told to do the third step at immigration within 30 days--it looked like it just would be some sort of stamp or signature. Because it seemed like it was a simple one stop thing and I was going to be there for two weeks I thought I would do it a day or two before leaving.
Fortunately I had a premonition and decided to get up early a few days after I arrived and took myself down to the immigration office prepared to get my booklet stamped and be done with it. Ha! Once I got there they wanted me to fill out most of what I had done in LA plus they needed a electricity bill and a photocopy of my builders ID card. When I was in LA the nice ladies helped me fill out the one questionaire that was in spanish--I hadn't a clue what some of the form said.
Now I had to fill it out again and I didn't have those nice LA ladies to help.
Luck was with me again and a nice mexican lady now took me under her wing and took me to her office next door where I was able to call my builders secretary who had to get in touch with my builder, Octavio, (who was out of cell phone reach but eventually did get within reach). She was awsome and faxed over Octavio's info plus a electricity bill for the whole building (which I guess is ok for immigration). Fortunately I still had a copy of Octavio's letter (in Spanish) that I'd used for my LA FM3 --it was saved in my email so I printed that out. I had also brought more of my front and side view photos. This saint-of-a-woman put together my whole packet and only charged me for the faxes and computer time ($8USD)--she even had her secretary write the letter I needed to give them in Spanish stating that I wanted to live in Mexico, my address, etc. Back I went to Immigration with my folder in hand and was told to show up on the 6th (I was leaving the 7th) to get my FM3 visa booklet back. Whoa! They were keeping my FM3 visa! I'd entered Mexico using it and needed to show upon departure! That was a surprise...good thing I went when I did.
After hearing tales from everyone that when I was to go back I would encounter more things needed to complete the paperwork and watching the people in line ahead of me being turned back as they needed something more I started getting discouraged and was prepariang my speech about how I had a flight the next day and would now need to get a special letter from them to leave the country....but.... once my number was called they just fingerprinted me and handed over my wonderful visa!!!! (nice thing was that doing it myself was pretty easy even though it might not sound like it from the above... and cost about $140 USD and people are paying anywhere from $275 - $500 USD to have someone else do it)
Fortunately I had a premonition and decided to get up early a few days after I arrived and took myself down to the immigration office prepared to get my booklet stamped and be done with it. Ha! Once I got there they wanted me to fill out most of what I had done in LA plus they needed a electricity bill and a photocopy of my builders ID card. When I was in LA the nice ladies helped me fill out the one questionaire that was in spanish--I hadn't a clue what some of the form said.
Now I had to fill it out again and I didn't have those nice LA ladies to help.
Luck was with me again and a nice mexican lady now took me under her wing and took me to her office next door where I was able to call my builders secretary who had to get in touch with my builder, Octavio, (who was out of cell phone reach but eventually did get within reach). She was awsome and faxed over Octavio's info plus a electricity bill for the whole building (which I guess is ok for immigration). Fortunately I still had a copy of Octavio's letter (in Spanish) that I'd used for my LA FM3 --it was saved in my email so I printed that out. I had also brought more of my front and side view photos. This saint-of-a-woman put together my whole packet and only charged me for the faxes and computer time ($8USD)--she even had her secretary write the letter I needed to give them in Spanish stating that I wanted to live in Mexico, my address, etc. Back I went to Immigration with my folder in hand and was told to show up on the 6th (I was leaving the 7th) to get my FM3 visa booklet back. Whoa! They were keeping my FM3 visa! I'd entered Mexico using it and needed to show upon departure! That was a surprise...good thing I went when I did.
After hearing tales from everyone that when I was to go back I would encounter more things needed to complete the paperwork and watching the people in line ahead of me being turned back as they needed something more I started getting discouraged and was prepariang my speech about how I had a flight the next day and would now need to get a special letter from them to leave the country....but.... once my number was called they just fingerprinted me and handed over my wonderful visa!!!! (nice thing was that doing it myself was pretty easy even though it might not sound like it from the above... and cost about $140 USD and people are paying anywhere from $275 - $500 USD to have someone else do it)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Getting an FM-3 visa
Since my decision to eventually move to Mexico I have been trying to figure out how to get my FM-3 visa. The FM-3 visa allows you to bring in your household goods, to have multiple entries as a resident and you can get a refund of some of the tax you pay for your airline ticket. It must be renewed each year at the time you first obtain yours (in my case today's date in 2010). There are several services that can do it for you and they seem to charge between approximately $270 - 380 USD.
Since I live near a Mexican Consulate I decided to go over and talk to them. I did that last week and they gave me a list of what I needed to bring there. (2 passport sized photos taken from the front and 2 from the right side), $134 USD in cash, something showing income (I took 3 months of bank statements), a letter stating that you wish to reside in Mexico and your address there)
The Consulate in Los Angeles is open for the visa service M-F from 7am - 11am. This morning I drove the 4.5 miles there and took my paperwork and money in. Within 1 hour (a little less) I had my FM-3 visa.
When I enter Mexico I will enter through the Residence line and they will stamp it on the first page. Within 30 days I must register my address in Mexico. I will have 6 months from todays date to bring in my furniture (should I decide to do that) without paying duty.
So...if you are near a Mexican Consulate that seems to be the easier way to go but be sure to bring everything with you unless you live nearby as I imagine that could be more of a hassle than waiting until you are in Mexico and paying someone to do the leg work for you.
Since I live near a Mexican Consulate I decided to go over and talk to them. I did that last week and they gave me a list of what I needed to bring there. (2 passport sized photos taken from the front and 2 from the right side), $134 USD in cash, something showing income (I took 3 months of bank statements), a letter stating that you wish to reside in Mexico and your address there)
The Consulate in Los Angeles is open for the visa service M-F from 7am - 11am. This morning I drove the 4.5 miles there and took my paperwork and money in. Within 1 hour (a little less) I had my FM-3 visa.
When I enter Mexico I will enter through the Residence line and they will stamp it on the first page. Within 30 days I must register my address in Mexico. I will have 6 months from todays date to bring in my furniture (should I decide to do that) without paying duty.
So...if you are near a Mexican Consulate that seems to be the easier way to go but be sure to bring everything with you unless you live nearby as I imagine that could be more of a hassle than waiting until you are in Mexico and paying someone to do the leg work for you.
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