My last post was about Miss Mexico, 22-year-old Jimena Navarrete Rosete of Guadalajara, won the Miss Universe title in Las Vegas.  She was modeling since she was 15 years old – just old enough for her Quinceañera!

In Mexico, the tradition of a Quinceañera, or Quinceañero – 15 years old, when the family of a 15 year old girl or boy will give a great coming of age/bar mitzvah type of party. Nowadays, the family will ask their 15 year old whether they would like a Quinceañera or a trip overseas?  Some girls or boys will choose the trip.

Hey—we were lucky enough to be invited to a Quinceañera! And here’s Jim’s video to prove it!

Usually the Quinceañera is for a girl. There is nothing like a Quinceañera, Mexican Style!  No expense is spared! The parents of the girl will spend a good six months ahead to begin preparing for this huge party. Family friends will be notified with beautiful invitation cards. The mother has to organize all the dresses, not just for her daughter, but for herself and outfits for her daughter’s friends.

The venue for the Quinceañera has to be reserved a good six months in advance. In the old days the young girls wore white gowns, but now, any sensible color will do!

The Quinceañera dress can be just as expensive and unique as a wedding gown. Flowers and decorations are selected to match the color scheme of the festivities, which include a church service and a reception at which guests will be served dinner and there will be dancing for all in attendance.

We had the honor of being invited to a wonderful Quinceañera recently.

Jim, Matthew, and I were all dressed up in our Sunday best. First we attended a church service. The priest gave his sermon addressing the young girl directly, as her parents sat near to her. Then there was a communion.

After the church service everybody drove off to the venue where the big Quinceañera party was to be held. We were surprised to see that it was a huge ballroom!

All the tables and chairs were adorned in the same color palette of the young lady’s gown. There was a chocolate fountain – a big favorite with everyone.  There were marshmallows, cookies, and whatever to dip into this huge chocolate fountain!

Of course, Jim and Matthew loved it. They kept going back for more chocolate!  On one side of the ballroom sat the relatives of the father and on the other the relatives of the mother. The group included aunts, uncles, children, babies, distant relatives, and friends.

There was an open bar and we were served a delicious meal of pasta and roast beef followed by fresh fruits.  After dinner it was time for the young lady for whom the Quinceañera was given to enter the ballroom in her beautiful ball gown. Her cousins and friends surround her in dresses of a similar color.

The entertainment began with the traditional father-daughter dance – and the tears flowed.

After dancing with her father he passed the Quinceañera girl to the chambelán de honor (man of honor) – our Quinceañera girl had two chambeláns de honor. This symbolizes the father letting go of his daughter as she is now of age. The Quinceañera girl will also exchange her flat-heeled shoes for high heels to signify that she is becoming a woman.

Symbolism and significance are very important. Gifts are also an important part of a Quinceañera tradition. They denote the young lady’s acceptance by the church, by God and by the congregation (her family and friends) as a woman. She wears a tiara as a sign of leaving childhood behind and facing the challenges that lay ahead and she is also presented with either a bracelet or ring (or both) representing the unending circle of life.

Earrings are a reminder to listen and pay heed to the word of God and the world around her, a cross or medallion signifies faith and a rosary or prayer book are religious resources to always remind the young lady to remember her devotion to God.

At a certain point, our Quinceañera girl and her friends put on dance costumes and gave us a great performance – they all looked liked professional dancers! We could have been in Las Vegas! Obviously they had done a lot of rehearsing.

Next, the rest of the relatives and friends got onto the dance floor and danced to a Tex-Mex bit!  Everyone was doing the two-step – in sync! It was just fantastic. And everyone KNEW how to dance to the beat of the music.

There was a huge cake in the same color theme as the young lady’s dress; it looked just like a wedding cake!

We found Matthew still at the chocolate fountain, where he had gobbled up his fill of delicious melting chocolate. Finally, Jim dragged him away. “Sit down, and stop eatin’ up the chocolate fountain, Matthew!” whispered Jim.

“I can’t help it. We should get one of those fountains for our home huh? We’ll have chocolate everyday!” smiled Matthew, with chocolate on the side of his mouth.

“Here’s a napkin; wipe off on that chocolate smudge, now why don’t you dance?” I asked.

“Dance? Oh no, no, no…I haven’t rehearsed my tango, you know, but I should, just like the people on Dancing with the Stars?” said Matthew. “What tango? Their doin’ the two-step.” whispered Jim.

“I will wait for the tango, Jim—I am not ready for my close-up…yet, Jim,” said Matthew with his head held high up.

“MaryAnn, give Matthew a slap behind his head now…quietly, we don’t want to cause a scene!” whispered an angry Jim.

“Matthew, you will perform your tango, when you are ready for your close-up, not to worry. Now we must all watch and behave,” I said. “Well, thank you MaryAnn. You certainly do understand me,” said Matthew.

As Matthew finished speaking, he brought out his famous white gloves.

“Where’ your top hat Matthew?” asked a red-faced Jim.

“I left it at home,” snapped Matthew.

“Stop it you two!” I hissed – and all calm settled in.

The party was going full swing, people were singing and dancing and hugging each other.  And there we stood – three boring people.

As the Quinceañera came to a close, we finally said our good-byes to everyone, the party shifted into second gear. As we left, everyone was dancing around the beautiful young lady. She glowed so beautifully in her beautiful gown and tiara, with lovely face. I swear she looked just like the movie stars that were walking down the red carpet! Her parents were so proud of this moment.

Once we got home, Matthew said “I had the best time ever! For the next Quinceañera, I will be prepared. I have my dancing tuxedo in my trunk, top hat and all. Bit tight, but I will be ready,” smiled Matthew.

Jim and I had the most wonderful time at the Quinceañera, and we were very honored to have been invited! It is a privilege that few Americans get to see.

The next day, I chatted with Carmen on the phone, (mother of the lovely Quinceañera girl). She said, “We were so happy that you all came for the Quinceañera. We danced till the sun came up. It was a success and so perfect, I cried, my mother cried, and everyone was happy.”

Now, that’s what I call, a rip-roaring successful Quinceañera!  Everyone here in Mexicali and Mexico really knows how to work hard and play hard.  Their family traditions always revolve around “la familia.”  That is the Mexican way!

It comes as no surprise to us that Miss Mexico, 22-year-old Jimena Navarrete Rosete of Guadalajara, won the Miss Universe title in Las Vegas!

Being from Mexico, “Rosete” is her mother’s last name, and here dad’s last name is, “Navarrete.” That is a nice tradition, to honor your mother’s family by adding on her last name to yours. In the U.S. Miss Universe’s last name would be simply “Jimena Navarrete.”

All any person has to do is look at look at Jimena and know that she would be a real winner.

She is beautiful, intelligent, stunning, and has long legs,  just like a tall glass of chilled iced tequila!

Mexico has its share of beautiful women. As I had posted in earlier blogs, I mentioned that Mexicali women and Mexican women in general are always well dressed, their makeup is perfect, and their hairstyles are all beautifully coiffed.

We have seen an emergence of young and tall, bi-lingual Mexican women, who are just spectacular to look at. I, myself, have met many young ladies, at Starbucks, and Cinepolis, the movie house, and had to opportunity to speak to them. Their English is perfecto!  I must get my Spanish going, as Jim is fluent in it.

Miss Navarrete is from Guadalajara. I will tell you that some of the most beautiful Mexican women are from that city.  Each Mexican region has its own share of women who look just as beautiful.

I cannot say enough about Latin women!

I, myself, have started to put on make-up as well!  Something I didn’t do while living in the U.S. And I am quite pleased with what I see! I had to ask one of my friends, Alvara, to help me put on the false eyelashes when we had to attend a party! Well? Couldn’t do it on my own, I just couldn’t see without my glasses.

Many Mexican women are highly educated, coming from private schools, and moving onto Universities in Mexico or in the U.S. Being bi-lingual is a “must” for them (as it is for the young men).

Jimena Navarrete’s single-strap dress in the evening gown competition was a winner.

Here is a photo of Jimena in her violet bikini, as she walks down the runway.

Looking at the photo, Matthew said, “Gosh she’s beautiful.” Then he paused for a moment and said, “But remember, I was named Mr. Teen Idol on the cover of Dig Magazine.

“We know that Matthew, you were a great singer, but there ain’t no comparison with Dig Magazine and this here Miss Universe thing. It’s owned by Donald Trump, and he choosed her.”

“Well good for Donald Trump!” snapped Matthew.

“Don’t take it wrong, Matthew,” answered Jim, “you did darn good getting to be Mr. Teen Idol—course that was way back when Burt Reynolds was singin’ on the show.”

“It wasn’t Burt Reynolds; it was Burt Parks, and it wasn’t Miss Universe he sang to, it was Miss American,” said Matthew.

“Well, whatever—Reynolds, Parks, who knows?” said Jim, backing off.

It’s great how Jim always sticks up for Matthew.

First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, while second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Ms. Navarrete said she didn’t expect to win. Very nice for a girl that beautiful to be modest.

Jimena said.  ”I was like in a state of shock.”

Ms. Navarrete – who’s been modeling since she was 15 – is Mexico’s second Miss Universe. Lupita Jones of Mexico won the title in 1991.

Ms. Navarrete replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

Ms. Navarrete was immediately congratulated on Twitter by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

“Congratulations to Jimena Navarrete for her deserved victory as Miss Universe,” Mr. Calderon said. “This will serve Mexico, and our image as a country.” Jemina will be visiting President Calderon and his wife soon!

Jimena won a whole bunch of prizes including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign, plus jewelery, clothes and shoes fit for a beauty champion. If she can act, we will soon see her on the small or big screen!

Again, Mexican women are one of the most beautiful ladies that we have seen!  Don’t take my word? Just look at Jimena? Women like her grow on trees in Mexico!  I speak only the truth.  This the what the new young generation of women look like! This being the result of generations of families with fine genetic breeding.  Eyeliners and mascaras sell like hot cakes in Mexicali and Mexico. Even older Mexican women have their hair colored, and groomed. It is the culture and the lifestyle of a Mexicana.  Never grow old is the way to go for Latinas.

Our congratulations to Jimena!

We are Americans and have been living in the border town of Mexicali, the capital of Baja California since 2008. As far as we are concerned, Mexicali is a very peaceful city.

We chose Mexicali because it is next door to the US town of Calexico. It works for us, as we cross the border sometimes twice a month, to check our mail, do our shopping and eat at Denny’s, Golden Corral Restaurant, or Sizzler’s in El Centro.  There is also Imperial Valley Mall just outside of El Centro. There, we get food for our pets and other items. There are all the big box stores in this mall.

Mexicali has a population of over one million. It is a wide-spread city with low-rise buildings. In our earlier postings, we have driven to San Felipe, down to the wine valley, where you can find Mexico’s best wines! We have eaten at a great seafood restaurant in Ensenada, and driven up to Tecate as well, and made more than one trip to Los Algodones.

Mexicali is what we call the city of Healthcare Nirvana! I had my successful Tarlov cyst operation here in Mexicali for a fraction of the price that the US healthcare would charge me. Very soon, Mexicali will be in the process of building a major medical center as the plans are already drawn up

When we decided to live in Mexicali, we selected a great area, just 165 feet from the US border. It’s great for us!

Even though we are safe and secure in Mexicali, the US State Department has listed several Mexican cities not to visit.

These are Ciudad Juarez which is the border town to El Paso, Texas, Tijuana, the border town to San Diego, Nogales, the border town to Nogales, Arizona, Nuevo Laredo, near the city of Laredo Texas.

You do not want to visit the border town of Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.

At the moment, drug cartels are fighting for this route of entry into Texas. Jim and I have always said, so long as America has a demand for drugs, Mexican drug cartels are there to supply them—it’s a multibillion dollar business-on both sides of the border.

If you are not into the drug business, then you are fine.

There are over 1.2 million American and Canadian citizens living peaceful lives in Mexico.

Good places to visit are Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Mérida and the Mayan ruins in Yucatan, San Miguel de Allende (which is crawling with Americans) and the colonial cities of Guanajuato, Queretaro, Zacatecas.

Guadalajara is a very large city and growing larger by the minute. Stick to the central city tourist areas and the leafy upscale neighborhoods like the Zona Rosa.

A popular side-trip is past fields of blue agave to the town of Tequila, where tequila distilleries can be visited and the wares sampled from such famous brands as Cuervo and Herradura.

The Oaxaca coast is great, including beautiful, well-developed Huatulco, and the little surfing mecca of Puerto Escondido (a great place).

Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the resorts that stretch between them are like a backyard for residents of the southwestern U.S. Thousands of Americans live there.

Mexico City, which is reputed to be dangerous, has a homicide rate of only nine for every 100,000 people, while Washington D.C. had a rate of more than 30 per 100,000-over three times higher.

Still, visitors to Mexico City should exercise the same precautions taken in any of the world’s big cities; sticking to busy, central areas and remaining aware of one’s surroundings. It’s very important to take only radio-issued taxis or taxis from official stands, and never the “libre” (independent) or Volkswagen cabs.

Don’t walk at night except short distances on busy streets. Mexico City is full of museums, art galleries and super restaurants. Most people include a visit nearby to the ruins of Teotihuacan, which are perfectly safe, with a visitor center and organized guides.

But back to Mexicali where we have never seen or experienced any violence in two and a half years of living here.

As far as we are concerned, we are very happy to live in Mexicali on our social security. We have discovered great restaurants to eat, and luckier—Mexican friends in Mexicali!

This is the true story of two young men in their mid-twenties, who decided to cross into the border town of Calexico, from Mexicali – it happened only a couple of days ago.

We’ll just call the young men Alfonso and Roberto (Bob for short). Like a lot of the young people in Mexicali, both Alfonso and Bob speak English very well.

Alfonso wanted to cross the border to buy a pair of sneakers, and go to IN-N-OUT Burger in El Centro, only about 12 miles across the border from Mexicali.

Bob said, “Sure! That’s a great idea. We’ll take your car as it’s all gassed up and I’ll drive.”

“No problem dude!” said Alfonso.

Knowing Alfonso was big on smoking marijuana or “weed” as they like to call it, Bob said, “Make sure you don’t bring any weed crossing the border. OK?”

“Hey, you think I don’t know? Sure, no weed!” sighed Alfonso.

The two young men got into Alfonso’s car and headed out for the border crossing into Calexico in the mid-afternoon. They waited in line for an hour and a half before coming close to the Border Patrol check point. That day, the line of vehicles crossing into Calexico was long and congested.

The young men waited patiently. Alfonso seemed agitated, and from his jean’s pocket, he removed a marijuana pipe wrapped in a plastic bag.

“What are you doing?” yelled Bob, “I thought you told me you were not gonna bring weed. man? You are gonna get all of us into trouble!”

“Hey, just relax, it’s just a tiny bit of weed stuffed into my pipe, and it’s wrapped in plastic, Dude. I’m not bringing in tons of marijuana. We’re just gonna sit and wait in line. Chill Dude. It’s just the Border Patrol guys, they can’t find it” said Alfonso with a confident look.

“Here, I’m gonna put the pipe with the weed into my side pocket, deep in!” said Alfonso.

As their car crawled up to the US check point, a Border Patrol agent approached their car – he was walking with his sniffer dog, checking each vehicle.

“Oh shit! There’s the dog, we’re in trouble,” called out Bob, “See I told you not to bring weed in!”

As Bob was scolding his friend, the sniffer dog and his handler approached their car. “Light up a cigarette dude!” cried Alfonso.

“Wha? No way man, I just smoke a cigarette now? That’s too obvious!” said Bob angrily.

The sniffer dog and the Border Patrol agent passed their car and walked right by.

Bob and Alfonso heaved a sigh of relief. The dog had not smelled anything. Alfonso looked at Bob and smiled – a smile which Bob did not return.

All of a sudden, in the rear-view mirror, Bob saw the sniffer dog stop right in its tracks! The dog pulled on the leash, and started to lead the Border Patrol agent back to their car!

The two men sat frozen in their car – Bob at the wheel, and Alfonso in the passenger’s seat.

The dog stood up putting its paws right on the closed window next to Alfonso. The Border Patrol agent motioned to Alfonso to open the door.

Alfonso complied.

Immediately, the dog  jumped into the car, on top of Alfonso and put its snout right on Alfonso’s pocket – exactly where the plastic-enclosed pipe was.

Alfonso sat, not moving or blinking, terrified at what the sniffer dog could possibly do.

“Both of you get out of the car, now!” yelled the Border Patrol agent.

Alfonso and Bob got out quickly.

“Place your hands on top of the car, and spread your legs, now!” yelled the Border Patrol agent. “And don’t move!”

The sniffer dog was all excited and started sniffing the car, the back seat, the front seat excitedly. It looked happy, as the agent gave it a treat.

“You get your keys and pop the hood and the trunk and then get back into position, with you hands on the vehicle” said the agent. Three other burly Border Patrol agents arrived at the car as backup.

The other vehicles hummed silently and the people watched with anticipation.

The sniffer dog returned to Alfonso, and jumped excitedly and barked.

“Remove all the stuff from your jeans!” yelled the Border Patrol Agent to the two terrified young men.

Alfonso sheepishly dug out his pipe which was stuffed with weed and wrapped in plastic, and placed it on top of the car, with his wallet.

Now, the car was surrounded by four Border Patrol agents. The people waiting in their cars must have feared that a shoot-out was about to happen. Fortunately, Mexicali is not like other Mexican border towns.

“Here’s the weed, stuffed inside the pipe, sir!” said the Border Patrol agent to a senior officer.

“A pipe? That’s drug paraphernalia,” said the senior officer, “Put the evidence into the trunk. You two, get back into the car, get back in line, and wait your turn at the agent post.”

Both the young men got back into their car, and waited in line.  When they reached the border check point, the agent wanted to see their papers.  Both men showed their papers, which included visas to enter the U.S.

The agent checked over the documents and said, “OK, proceed to the secondary inspection area!”

At the border crossings there is a dreaded Secondary Inspection Area – where they go over suspected vehicles and people very carefully.

We know one woman who was hand-cuffed in the Secondary Inspection Area, with the handcuffs being attached to a hook on the wall. Her feet barely touched the ground. She was on an innocent shopping trip to Calexico, but her car had Tijuana plates, which may have been the problem.

Bob drove the car into a separate lane leading to the dreaded Secondary Inspection Area where both men got out of the car. They were immediately handcuffed by the US Border Patrol agents. All of their belongings were removed and placed in plastic bags, including their cell phones.

Handcuffed, both men were lead to separate holding cells, where they were locked up.

After waiting for a couple of hours, Bob was released from his cell. He asked whether he could call his family. There was no answer, but he was asked to sit down on a bench and fill out a form.

Bob was now feeling a bit better – until the agent cuffed his ankles to the bench.

“Officer, am I in trouble here – is this a misdemeanor or a felony?” asked Bob.

The agent responded, “You’re free to go; you were not caught with any drugs or drug paraphernalia. We checked you thoroughly. No needles no drugs. You’re free to go!”

Bob was relieved and exhilarated that he wasn’t going into any prison, but he worried about Alfonso.

“Officer, what about my friend? What will happen to him?” asked Bob.

The agent answered, “Who knows how long he’s gonna be locked up? He was found with marijuana and an unlawful pipe on his person.

“We have documented in the papers that, on American soil, the weed and pipe was found in the trunk of the car. Everything has been searched, just let his family know where he is, and he will be released soon. Lucky for you boys that the weed was a tiny amount.  If we had found more, the both of you would have been charged and the penalty for crossing the US border with weed would have been severe. Good Luck man! You’re free to go.” said the Border Patrol agent.

In the early morning, Alfonso was released. He collected all of his belongings and called Bob. “Hey, I’m out Dude. Can you come get me Bob? What did you tell my parents?”

“I told your mom that you had an argument with your girlfriend, I didn’t want to freak her out and get her upset. I’ll come get you now” said a relieved Bob.

Bob was lucky; no charges were filed against him. Alfonso was not so lucky. His visa to enter the U.S. was canceled, and he would have to go to US Consulate in Tijuana to get a new visa, which would probably be denied. No more IN-N-OUT Burger for Alfonso – at least not for a long time.

When Bob told us his story, Matthew said “Bob, I wouldn’t want to cross the border with you!”

“What do ya mean?” asked a baffled-looking Jim.

“Well, some of the smell of marijuana must be on Bob.” said Matthew.

“That’s crazy,” said Jim.

“Not so crazy,” said Bob, “They stopped one of my friends, brushed and brushed the carpet on his car until they came up with quite a bit of weed.”

“What happened?” asked Matthew.

“The guy is in prison, and he doesn’t even know how the weed got into the carpet of his car.”

“Ya just don’t mess with them Border guys. We’ve seen those there dogs MaryAnn, they are really good at smelling out the dope,” said Jim shaking his head.

“Well I’m glad nothing happened to you and your friend – it will be a learning experience for you guys,” I said.

Bob got up to leave, shook hands with Jim and gave me a hug. He turned to shake hands with Matthew.

“No way,” said Matthew backing away, “God knows what you have on your hands.”

A Mexican businessman by the name of Carlos Slim is now the richest person in the world, according to Forbes magazine.  Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, of the U.S., have to settle for second and third place.

Carlos Slim is worth a staggering $53.5 billion.

With the name of Carlos Slim, you might think he was a south-of-the-border cowboy who rolls his own cigarettes – nothing could be further from the truth.

His full name is Carlos Slim Helu.  Mexicans respectfully add their mother’s name onto their own, hence the “Helu.”

Slim was born on January 28th 1940, in Mexico City, one of six children – Carlos was number five and the youngest boy.

Carlos Slim’s father, Julian (who changed his last name from Salim to Slim), was a Lebanese immigrant living in Mexico City and running a small store.  His mother, Linda Helu, came from a distinguished family, also of Lebanese origin, owners of a magazine.

Slim started young.  On the school playground, he profited by trading baseball cards.  At 11 he had already bought his first government savings bonds.  At 15 he had invested in Banco Nacional de México shares.

In Mexico’s financial crisis of 1982, Slim bought out dozens of companies at rock-bottom prices.  Slim became a major player and he was only getting bigger.

In 1990 Slim snapped up Telmex, the former state telephone firm – and he never looked back.  Slim now owns controlling interests in at least hundreds of companies.  By some estimates his firm accounts for a third of Mexico’s leading stock market index and some 7% of its annual economic output.  In addition, Slim has interests outside of Mexico, including a major position in the New York Times – which he may just take over. Slim also owns an 18 percent stake in U.S. retailer, Saks.

In spite of his vast fortune, Slim lives in the same house he purchased with his wife, Soumaya, 40 years ago. He has no yacht, and no homes outside of Mexico (hotels are cheaper, he says).  According to a friend, on a vacation to Italy, Slim haggled for two hours to get ten dollars off the price of a necktie.

Carlos Slim’s only expensive passion is art. Today, his art collection includes 66,000 pieces, from 15th century European masters to the second-largest private collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin outside of France.

When his wife died 1999, he built a  183,000 square-foot art museum in Mexico City and named it after her – the Soumaya Museum. The museum is part of a 12-acre urban development that will include two 22-story office towers and the corporate headquarters for Slim’s business conglomerate, Grupo Carso. There will also be a shopping mall, two upscale apartment towers, and an underground theater.

The entire complex has won praise in international design competitions. It was designed by well-regarded Mexican architect Fernando Romero, 38, who is married to Slim’s daughter, also named Soumaya,

Like most Mexicans, Slim is a family man and has six children.  Three of his sons now help with the family business. One son, Patrick Slim, is chairman of America Movil, Latin America’s largest mobile-phone company with nearly 200 million clients; another, Carlos Slim Domit, runs Grupo Carso; and a third, Marco Antonio Slim, heads the banking company Inbursa. Two of Slim’s daughters are married to telecom executives within their father’s corporate empire.

With all this activity, Slim has found time to donate $10 billion since 2006 through his two foundations.

Carlos Slim Helu has become the pride of Mexico.

This article was written by P. J. Padilla of Oscar Padilla Mexican Insurance, the company right across the border from us, in Calexico which was founded by his father.

We use Padilla for our Mexican auto insurance.

Padilla insured us for a whole year, including replacement of our vehicle (damage, fire, & theft), $150,000 liability, $20,000 legal service and bail bond – all for $261.75.

That also includes $700 for emergency repair, towing, and shipment of auto parts – not a bad deal.

Here’s the article, which is very informative and useful.

Jim says to tell you we’re not getting paid for posting this, but we do get paid (a little) if you click on the Padilla link and buy.

Mexican Auto Insurance-Know Before You Go

By P.J.  Padilla Owner-Oscar Padilla Ins., Inc

Although it accounts for how I support my family and, dating back to 1951, how my father supported us, I’m also the first to admit that a blog about insurance might be as riveting as paint drying!  That said, though, the importance of insurance can’t be overlooked, particularly when in a foreign country, which is where this begins………

Why is Mexican insurance necessary?

Mexico has traffic laws very similar to the United States.  The application of their laws is what accounts for the differences, and the reasons for needing Mexican insurance.  The law in Mexico is based on the Napoleonic Code where guilt prevails over the assumption of innocence.

In the U.S., the law is based on the English Common Law where innocence prevails over the assumption of guilt.

Mexico does not have compulsory automobile insurance.  The basic difference between Mexico’s and United States financial responsibility law is that anyone involved in an accident in Mexico must have the means to respond to damages or injuries for which they may be responsible….which in Mexico would be in the form of either cash or a Mexican insurance policy.

Can my U.S. insurance help me?

Before leaving home, you should inquire if your U.S. insurance policy will cover damage suffered by your vehicle in Mexico.  If so, ask if the policy has restrictions or limitations in this regard, such as miles from the border, or number of days in Mexico.  Once you’ve familiarized yourself with your own auto policy and the extent of it’s coverage in Mexico, you can then proceed to make a more qualified decision towards your Mexican insurance needs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Whether or not U.S. insurance policy extends coverage into Mexico, you should always, at least, buy LIABILITY insurance.  The Liability coverage on your U.S., or any other non-Mexican insurance policy, is not recognized by authorities in Mexico.  Only a Mexican automobile liability policy is acceptable evidence of financial responsibility.

What does Mexican insurance cost?

It varies slightly throughout the industry.

First rule of thumb, which represents a significant savings, is getting a 6 Month or One Year policy if you spend more than three weeks a year in Mexico.  Second rule of thumb is don’t jump at the lowest priced one….a lesson we learned all too well ten years ago when we agreed to market a Mexican insurance company’s Auto program that offered very competitive rates.  A year later the CEO of the Mexican insurance company was missing, along with premiums we had been remitting to the company.

There are fine companies in Mexico with many years of credibility.  We, as an example, continue to be proudly associated with two companies for several years, Seguros Atlas and Qualitas Seguros, who represent a combined 86 years in business.

Will I go to jail if I have an accident?

If serious injury has not occurred, a Mexican insurance policy might help reduce red tape and allow the motorist to be on his way sooner rather than later, but the policy should not be construed as your “ticket out of jail”.

Some visitors to Mexico are unable to understand why motorists are temporarily incarcerated in Mexico following an automobile accident where injuries or deaths occurred.  In the first place, serious injuries or deaths have been committed against innocent persons due to someone’s negligence.  It is up to Mexican authorities to determine who is the negligent person.  While that investigation is in motion, all drivers involved in the accident must be detained.

Any person involved in the commission of a crime (and, as previously stated, an automobile accident in Mexico is considered, in principle, to be a penal offense) must be detained in a secure place to prevent their escape.  The only secure place is the police station and, therefore, the motorist finds himself detained awaiting the investigation of his involvement.  A visitor, if allowed to remain free, may likely flee for the border.

This `n that…….

The policy only covers foreign-plated vehicles.  It does not cover a vehicle with a Mexico license plate.

The policy is null and void if driver responsible for the accident was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Policy is null and void if driver does not have a valid driver’s license.

A towed vehicle must be described on the policy, otherwise it voids all coverage in case of an accident.

Should a claim be presented, the insured must declare the existence of any other insurance with another company covering the same risk.

All claims must be reported in Mexico before insured returns to U.S.

Failing to do so subjects the claim to a denial by the Mexican insurance company.

We now carry Home Owners Insurance.

We exist by serving.

A reader sent in a query to me. He wanted to open a small factory for his sewing business and asked if Mexicali was safe.

The answer is a resounding YES. In Phoenix, he is paying $10 an hour for his employees – in Mexicali, it would be only $2 an hour.

Companies are now realizing that Mexico is a much better investment than Asia. Rising Chinese costs and higher shipping prices are part of the reason. Then there is China’s rampant piracy, risk of losing intellectual property, quality failures, and communication problems.

Also, China is just too far away.

Mexico is located on the U.S. border; goods can reach U.S. retailers and manufacturers in only two days rather than in five weeks from China.

In addition, in Mexico, business operations and practices are handled much like in the U.S.

Beijing’s Lenovo left China to open a plant in Mexico to make up to 5 million ThinkPad notebook PCs a year. Yes, manufacturing is even moving from China to Mexico!

Despite all of the drug war news happening in Tijuana, and Juarez, the Mexican maquiladoras-factories making goods for export-are not fleeing. Each day, 9,000 managers cross the Rio Grande safely from El Paso Texas, to the Juárez plants of Johnson Controls, Cummins, Emerson Electric, Delphi Automotive, and others.

MOVING TO MEXICALI

Mexicali, a city of close to 1 million, and the the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California, has been spared the violence of nearby Tijuana.

Baja California, and Mexicali are in Mexico’s Free Zone and are not considered parts of Mexico for customs purposes. In the Free Zone businesses may import goods duty free, except from other parts of Mexico.

Mexicali and Monterey are the two safest places for manufacturing in Mexico. Mexicali, however, holds a big advantage, because it is right smack on the border, close to both San Diego and Phoenix.

U.S. Interstate 8 is just seven miles from Mexicali, and U.S. Interstate 10 is only a few miles further north.

Rail service from Mexico crosses the Mexicali border into California and extends to San Diego and Los Angeles, with connections to all U.S. rail routes.

Air transport is also available from Mexicali’s International Airport, and from the Imperial Valley Airport 15 miles north across the border from Mexicali.

Things are so good in Mexicali, that David J. Hill, formerly with National Semiconductor, is leading the development of a 10,000-acre high-tech park called Silicon Border in Mexicali.

Factory jobs are moving from the U.S. to Mexico.

Kellogg’s new $100 million plant in Mexicali has 247,500 square feet – it is their 4th factory in Mexico. Kraft buys its taco shells from a factory in Mexicali owned by a subsidiary of PepsiCo.

In Mexicali, Skyworks, a maker of semiconductors for mobile phones and PDAs, is adding 100 jobs to produce items they formerly made in Maryland. Skyworks originally considered relocating to China, but decided Mexico is actually cheaper because its skilled workforce is more efficient.

Yes, Mexicali is more efficient than China!

Mexicali is also attracting such high-tech industries as microelectronics, aerospace, and medical devices. Gulfstream has expanded its Mexicali facility to produce sections of executive jets. Honeywell, which has large manufacturing operations in Mexicali, has opened a $40 million center staffed with 300 of its engineers.

To further improve its manufacturing prowess, Mexico is studying successful business models in Asia, the U.S., and Europe. Mexico is also collaborating with universities and private industry to upgrade workforces, infrastructure, research and development programs.

In the past five years the Mexicali campus of Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) has doubled its engineering enrollment to 4,000.

UABC and CETYS Universidad, Mexicali’s top private university, recently added bachelor’s and graduate programs in aerospace engineering, microelectronics, bioengineering, radio frequency design, and renewable and clean energies.

Mexicali, itself, is a model of clean energy usage. It does not depend on fossil fuels to generate electricity, but has a huge 750 MW geothermal power plant site just 20 miles to the south of the city. Baja California even exports electrical energy to the U.S!

Fluency in English is a requirement. In fact, many residents of Mexicali are English speakers. Most of the movies in Mexicali are in English along with the TV.

Not only that, in Mexicali, you can drive a car with U.S. plates, and pay in dollars or pesos wherever you want – even at Mexicali’s Super Wal-Mart!

This is all due to Mexicali being in Mexico’s Free Zone.

With Calexico right across the border, most Americans would feel very much at home in Mexicali.

The drug cartels? Mexicali is extremely peaceful, with no apparent activity from any of the reputed drug cartels.

For those who want to start small, and gain an easy manufacturing foothold in Mexico, space, and employees are ready and waiting in industrial parks, including Mexicali.

“Shelter plans” provide U.S. companies with ready-made manufacturing facilities complete with employees.

The Shelter Plan

The shelter plan provides foreign manufacturers with a fast start in manufacturing operations in Mexico without having to go through the process of setting up their own facility.

With the shelter plan, the risks of labor liability, ownership of facilities and legal presence in Mexico are avoided. Immediate start-up is possible with minimal costs, and there is flexibility to grow or shrink as needed. There is no long-term commitment, and no legal presence in Mexico is required for this.

It’s time for manufacturers targeting the U.S. market to take a hard look at Mexico – and especially at Mexicali.

A friend of ours, who is no bleeding heart, but a rough construction guy like Jim, just sent us this email:

“Two weeks ago I was unexpectedly routed through a neighborhood here in San Diego because of traffic and have been troubled ever since by what I saw. In a small two block section there were at least fifteen hundred (1,500) homeless people with their possessions in bags and carts. Some had constructed cardboard boxes as a flimsy structure, others just sitting or laying on the ground. What was so significant was that most were not what we have become accustomed to seeing as the typical homeless person but rather, many were comparatively well dressed, obviously not homeless for very long. Many Mothers with children punctuated the scene along with many who may very well have been a suburban neighbor a few short weeks ago.

My wife and I are buying food that I will deliver so that at least the few we can help will have something to eat. No, it won’t be the turkey dinner that most were used to eating but probably more basic items like a loaf of bread and peanut butter/jelly that won’t spoil quickly, cans of soup, things of that nature.

In my lifetime I have never seen so many people; citizens of our once great nation, now victims of the systemic failures brought about by the greed of a few.”

Two other friends of ours, Leon and Carla, who live in Los Angeles, planned to come to visit us in Mexicali. Carla has had a bunch of medical problems, mainly involving her back. She planned to see my back doctor, and was bringing her MRIs with her.

Leon was working for an insurance company in LA, even though he is beyond the retirement age. He was having no end of troubles having his health insurance cover Carla’s MRIs, even though she had been diagnosed with an expanding blood vessel on the spine – something that could pop at any time.

Leon, usually a pretty mild guy, became upset over the continued refusals of his insurance company to pay for Carla’s MRIs – so upset, in fact, that he went to see what his boss could do to help.

His boss fired him.

Now Leon (unemployed) and Carla are on expensive COBRA health insurance, which is provided to former employees who have lost their coverage due to losing their job.

Well, Carla had second thoughts and emailed me that she was afraid to come to Mexicali – because of all the violence (which we have never seen here).

I wrote back that there are more thefts and assaults per person in the U.S. than in Mexico.

Carla didn’t answer for a couple of days, but finally emailed that she was coming after all. She added, “Our doctor recommends we start taking something like Cipro, an antibiotic, as a preventive measure during the trip to Mexicali.”

“Sure,” said Jim, “maybe they should bring their own food from LA, along with that Cipro stuff…they could even strap on some diving tanks and walk around Mexicali breathing that wonderful Los Angeles smog.”

I told Jim not to be so mean – but I had to laugh.

Carla’s email continued, “I think California is on the brink of a total financial collapse.  The governor is proposing 4% surtax on gross business income plus 1% on personal income to cover the $40 billion deficit. Obama is talking about doing away with the $500,000 exemption for married couples selling primary residence.”

The next day, Carla sent an email that she had a sinus infection, yadda yadda yadda.

Leon and Carla have now decided to “play it safe” and stay in their overpriced house in LA.

Far be if for me to ask Carla how much money they have, but the fact that Leon was still working well beyond 65 says a lot.

That overpriced California house of theirs is all they have, and it would probably take the rest of their lives for Leon and Carla to sell it.

Meanwhile, their property taxes are over a thousand a month – add that to COBRA, and we are talking about $2,000 a month out the door, before Leon and Carla can even eat.

Both Leon and Carla have Social Security, which, in America, will get them nowhere.

I bet they could ditch their place in LA, and find a nice place, a better life, and better doctors right here in Mexicali.

Instead poor Leon and Carla are probably headed for Tent City – it’s only a matter of time.

“Heck,” said Jim, “We ain’t gonna visit them in no tent city – too dangerous!”

I’m working on a doozy of a post about being assaulted by the folks from Inspire.com, and about our friends Lucas and Caroline in San Diego, and their U.S. health-care nightmare.

But, with Thanksgiving on the way, we want to think only nice thoughts and be thankful for what we have – so I’ll leave the health care for my next post.

I found huge Butterball Turkeys on sale at Wal-Mart here in Mexicali! Who would have thought…?

Yes, Jim and Matthew are goinging to be busy cooking up a great Thanksgiving dinner for us and for some Mexicali friends – Oscar, and some others – time they learned what Thanksgiving dinner is all about.

In the meantime, here is some interesting stuff about living and living expenses in Mexico. It’s from the kind folks at International Living like my blog so much that they gave me permission to quote their articles.

This article was just written on November 24, 2009 by Laura Michels who moved to Mexico two months ago.  She’s studying Spanish and having a great time.  Laura lives in a little city named Colima near the Pacific coast—you probably haven’t heard of it, but it’s the Mexican city with the best quality of life, according to Mexicans.  I think she made a great choice. Colima is about 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and is south of Puerto Vallarta, and norht of Acapulco – not a bad place to be.

“I’m Amazed at How Far my American Dollars Go in Colima, Mexico”

I recently moved to the small city of Colima in Mexico to study Spanish and live internationally. I’m amazed at how far my American dollars go here.

I pay for everything in cash. An amount that would have lasted mere days in the United States, covers my expenses for week in Mexico.

Take grocery shopping, for example. I live directly across from a small family-owned grocery store. I can stock up on groceries for $20 a week. Oranges are less than 20 cents apiece, an entire package of tostadas is mine for the equivalent of $1, and fresh avocados cost me only pocket change. A bag of food for my cat costs less than $1.40. Also, the owner of the grocery store makes delicious refried beans which I can take home for pennies.

If I don’t feel like cooking, I can eat out for super cheap if I go to an authentic Mexican restaurant. My friends and I have a favorite taco place where we are frequent customers. We feast on huge plates of mouth watering meat and tortillas for less than $3 each. I can also get lunch at the restaurant right next my house for about $1.50. This homemade meal includes meat, beans, rice, and freshly prepared tortillas.

I didn’t even tell you yet what I pay in rent. I stay in a new house with tile floors, and brand new kitchen appliances. I also have my own bedroom, and my own bathroom. I pay $175 a month for this, and the cost includes all utilities along with wireless Internet. Some of my friends pay even less than this. The money I’m saving leaves me a lot of extra spending money for things like… authentic Mexican food. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it, and at these prices I will continue to be very well fed for some time to come. I think fresh guacamole is in my very near future.

So, you see, we aren’t the only folks to realize that Mexico is a great place to be.

Happy Thanksgiving from Jim, Matthew, and MaryAnn!

Here is a photo of our local pharmacy in Mexicali, but more on that later.

I saw a very interesting article from International living.

Which foreign country will be the first in which Americans can use Medicare and Medicaid benefits?

Mexico, of course.

It just makes sense. Mexico is right next door to the largest market of health care consumers in the world. Some health services in Mexico can cost 12 times less than what is charged in the U.S., experts say.

It’s no wonder that Americans (and yes, Canadians, too) cross the Mexican border in frequently increasing numbers to avail of the high-quality but low-cost health care Mexico provides, including reduced cost prescriptions.

Already, the four largest commercial U.S. health insurers-with enrollments totaling nearly 100 million people-have either launched pilot programs exploring or offering overseas travel to countries like Mexico for health services. Some smaller health insurers and brokers also have introduced travel options for hundreds of employers around the country.

It also makes sense that Americans should be able to use insurance benefits from Medicare and Medicaid in Mexico. And that ability may become reality very soon, says Bruno Ferrari, the chief executive officer of Promexico, Mexico’s foreign investment agency.

And he believes that within one year, the governments of Mexico and the U.S. may have an agreement to let Americans use their Medicare and Medicaid insurance at Mexican health care facilities.

Already, 10 U.S. and Canadian companies have expressed an interest in building facilities to cater to Americans seeking to take advantage of low medical expenses, he says.

This is all good news for those of us who live in Mexico and for anyone thinking about relocating or retiring there.

Anticipating the approval of both U.S. private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid programs in Mexico, real estate developers are getting in on the act, too. Many of them are creating special communities that cater to the health needs of foreign retirees, including assisted living centers.

Since Mexico has been hard hit by the global economic meltdown, and the peso has recently lost 30% of its value against the dollar, there are deals to be had on real estate in Mexico right now. There truly will never be a better time in your lifetime to start a new life in Mexico.

It makes sense that the U.S. insurance companies give coverage in Mexico. It saves them money and will help you on your co-pays, approvals, and maybe even on your premiums.

Even without insurance I still have many health care advantages in Mexico.

Prior to my Tarlov cyst operation, I had to take some very expensive pain killers. Originally, I was prescribed Lyrica, which was very good – at the beginning. When my pain increased, I went to the local pharmacy in Mexicali, called La Farmacia Mas Barrata, which means the least expensive pharmacy.

It is a huge place. open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. I have not seen anything that can compare to it in the U.S. This pharmacy gives a 30% discount over local Mexican prices.

I asked the fellow behind the counter what I should take. He recommended Artidol, which I bought on the spot – no prescription, no expensive doctor needed. In Mexico, aside from things like Valium, you do not need a prescription or an expensive doctor visit, where you have to plead for another month’s supply.

The Artidol worked great. Unfortunately for Americans, I understand it is not available in the United States. Without Artidol, I do not know how I could have made up as we saved our pennies for the operation.

After my operation, I needed antibiotics to prevent a possible infection. Again, I went to La Farmacia Mas Barrata and got what I needed.

Again, there was no doctor needed to ration out a small supply of pills to get me to to return and pay him for another visit for my re-fill – and so on.

Thank God we came to Mexico! I wrote before that we couldn’t have made it just for simple living in America.

Without the competence and affordability of caring health care in Mexico, I would still be suffering from Tarlov’s desease – just like so many Americans.