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.

After my September 2009 back surgery on my two Tarlov cysts, I had mandatory bed rest, ordered by my doctor, for a solid four weeks. After another two months, my incision had completely healed, on December 11, 2009 - exactly three months after my operation.

I was walking, pain free. Jim, Matthew and I made frequent trips across the border to Calexico to do our shopping, collect our mail, and drive on to El Centro to eat at Denny’s in the El Centro mall. The mall is where we buy our dog and cat food at Petco.

Life was wonderful.

However, on Monday, January 4, 2010, I suffered a temporary setback.

I found it difficult to get out of bed as my left leg felt a bit numb! Well, I totally freaked out.

That very Monday evening, Jim and I were at Dr. Carlos Maya’s office, anxiously waiting for him. When it was our turn, I rushed into Dr. Maya’s office, hopping on my right leg.

“Dr. Maya hola! You have to help me! This morning my left leg went a bit numb! What has happened? Everything was fine?’ I wailed.

“What have you been doing MaryAnn? Have you been exercising?” asked Dr. Maya.

“Well yes, I was doing some Jane Fonda exercises, you know, lifting up my legs, while lying on my bed; lifting up my butt, while lying on my bed, you know,” I said.

“Then Jim had a muscle spasm on Christmas Day. He was in so much pain that I had to drive him to the Emergency Room at the Hospital Almater on Avenue Madero. I dropped him off; parked the truck, and walked to the Emergency Room where I helped Jim find the patients’ waiting room.”

Dr. Maya nodded.

I continued, “Jim got to see the doctor immediately, who gave us a prescription. We walked across the road to the Almater Pharmacy to get the prescription which included an injection. Back at the hospital Jim got his shot, and then we went home.”

“I helped Jim, who could barely walk, to bed; did the dishes; walked our dog; cleaned the cat litter, and Matthew helped clean the house and cooked the food…other than that…nothing much,” I moaned.

Dr. Maya smiled and turned to Jim, “Jim, now you need help yes? and on Christmas Day as well?”

“Twaren’t nothin,” said Jim.

Dr. Maya nodded and said, “Let’s go, MaryAnn, stand against the wall, and put your hands against it. Now I am going to press on your spine, you tell me if there is pain, OK?” said Dr. Maya.

I complied. Dr. Maya pressed against each disc on my spine. “Pain?” he asked. “No,” I said.

“Now lie on the couch, face up, face up - OK? I am going to lift each leg up and you tell me if there is pain.” said Dr Maya.

Dr. Maya lifted up my right leg, and yanked it around. “Pain?” “No,” I said.

He then did the same with my left leg. “Pain?’ “No.” I said.

While Dr. Maya was moving each leg around, I felt like a grasshopper with its legs being pulled around.

“OK, come sit down,” said Dr. Maya.

“I cannot walk, you see; my left leg is numb - something is wrong with my left leg! See Dr. Maya?” I continued to wail.

“MaryAnn, sit.”

“Jim, is Maryann like this? No relaxation?” asked Dr Maya.

“You got it right Dr Maya,” said Jim, also shaking his head.

I could have almost smacked these men. I have a numb leg, and all they can do is smile and shake their heads!

“Dr. Maya? OK - I’m ready to listen.” I said.

“You have inflammation!” said Dr. Maya.

“Inflammation? what inflammation? my wound is healed, you see, my scar is so beautiful - the healing is done!” I said.

‘”No, no! The nerve from the S1 controls the movement of your left leg. It has been irritated.” said Dr. Maya

“I said to you, just walk. When we did your operation, the neurosurgeon and I worked together, with the spine, the bones, and we are very very careful with the nerves. The spine is full of nerves.

“Any nerve that is cut, the patient cannot walk. You can walk. The nerves inside your S1 and S2 must stay calm. No carrying heavy things - no driving - when you drive, you have to twist and bend your spine, right? Anytime when we cut open the back, the nerves get irritated, and your numbness in your left leg comes from the S1 nerve which is now irritated, and angry. Do you understand?” asked Dr. Maya.

“So I have a nerve problem.” I said.

“You have an irritated nerve, slightly inflamed, MaryAnn,” said Dr. Maya.

“I am going to give you a prescription,” Dr. Maya answered.

Returning to his desk, Dr. Maya began writing on his pad.

“I am writing out a prescription, for you MaryAnn. Jim, this is for three injections, one each day. Jim, you can give shots?” asked Dr. Maya

“Shucks, no - only gave a shot to a horse once,” said Jim.

“You don’t know how to give shots?” asked a baffled Dr Maya.

“Jim, here, this is the prescription - it’s for anti-inflammtories, for all this you go down to the pharmacy, and they can give the injection materials - then just go to any hospital for the shot. OK?” said Dr. Maya, handing the prescription to Jim.

“Maryann, are you taking any medications that I should know about?” asked Dr. Maya

“No just aspirin, nothing else,” I replied.

“After you finish my medication, come back and see me in 21 days. All of this is anti-inflammatory, to calm down all the nerves, and continue with the recovery.”

“Just because your scar has healed, the inside of the sacroiliac and the nerves all need time to recover,” said Dr. Maya, smiling.

“So it’s my S1 nerve that is irritated? that’s it?” I asked.

“Yes, this is common with back surgeries, and you had the Tarlov cysts! These all sit on nerves!” Dr. Maya explained.

“Why did you ask me what other medicines I am taking Dr. Maya?” I asked.

“We don’t like our patients to take any strong painkillers, like opiates, too strong”

“Why?” Jim asked.

“Opiates make it difficult for doctors to see the real healing of the patient. Opiates will hide all the pain, and when the opiates wear off, the pain is worse!” said Dr Maya.

“If you were on opiates, MaryAnn, I would not be able to identify your pain, and any nerve damage.

“Back surgery is very complicated for the patient. The post-operation, avoiding scar tissue inside the sacroiliac, very important. Scar tissue will grow wrongly can irritate the spinal nerves, and the back pain will come back again.

“The nerves especially get irritated and that is very normal. Taking opiates like Vicodin. I am not for my patients to do it. Also it is addictive.

“Let the recovery of the spine, and the nerves be simple and basic. Good for patient, and for us surgeons. You understand?” asked Dr. Maya.

“Why are you moving around so much, MaryAnn? This is not what I want you to do. You have to walk slowly, rest, rest. Do everything slowly,” said Dr. Maya, visibly upset.

We thanked Dr. Maya and will see him in 21 days.

After we got back into our truck, Jim laughed, “No more Jane Fonda leg exercises and what-not you’ve been doing Maryann!”

“Well…don’t you go pull a muscle spasm on me just three months after my back surgery Mister!” I said.

“Why, sure, MaryAnn. Next time I’ll choose the right time for my back spasms,” said Jim, flooring it and cutting out into the traffic.

I am now five months into my Tarlov cyst operation recovery.

My S1 nerve is doing great. I got the three shots, at the Hospital Santa Monica, right near our home (we just walked in - no doctor appointments in Mexicali). I am not bending and taking Dr. Maya’s prescription, and Advil (great stuff at a friend’s suggestion), and back to being my old self.”

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.

Today, we went to Best Optical located near Plaza San Pedro, and Carvao to get some eyeglasses for me, and for some new reading lenses for Jim.

He didn’t want any new frames, as he just loves the old ones he’s been wearing for years and years.

I got an eye examination, picked out a nice pair of frames, and ordered those new polycarbonate lenses - Jim just got the polycarbonate lenses. The whole thing came to $96, and we paid in dollars.

You couldn’t get a deal like that at Wal-Mart, anywhere.

On the way back home, Jim and I discussed the arrest, yesterday, presumably one of the most dangerous narcos,  Eduardo Teodoro Garcia Simental aka “El Teo.”

El Teo has been blamed for much of the violence in Tijuana.

He was arrested in the calm and beautiful town of La Paz, here in Baja California.

I guess La Paz was a good hiding place, or at least seemed so.

Fortunately, Mexicali has nothing like the violence that is raging in over the control of the “drug turf” in Tijuana.

Everything is peaceful in Mexicali.

Back home, I was fixing dinner, while Matthew was watching television, and Jim was reading an old copy of the Los Angeles Times, that had been laying around.

“Hey,” said Jim, “Here’s an article about Mexicali.”

“Oh,” I said.

“Yeah,”  answered Jim, “listen to this. It says, Here in Mexicali, people fear the desert sun more than drug hit men. The city of 700,000 has a homicide rate comparable to that of Wichita, Kan., and one of the biggest police deployments is Operation Beat the Heat, in which officers haul blocks of ice to shantytown residents.”

“They never brought us any ice,” said Matthew.

“Hey, Matthew - we’re not shantytown residents - at least not yet, ” laughed Jim.

Jim continued, “There hasn’t been a bank robbery in Mexicali in 18 months, or a reported kidnapping in a year. Indeed, the city of wide, treeless boulevards offers little evidence of narco-extravagance or violence. Mexicali’s conservative population of civil servants and agricultural laborers has tended to frown on ostentatious displays of wealth. Outsized mansions are few.”

Jim paused, and said, “This article is bunkum, the streets here have plenty of trees.”

“Yeah,” I said, “whoever the reporter was probably never set foot in Mexicali.”

“You’re right, MaryAnn,” replied Jim, who continued reading, “But some Mexican authorities say the U.S. is partly to blame for not improving its border defenses in adjacent Calexico, the third-busiest U.S. - Mexico port of entry, which handles about 40,000 pedestrian and car crossings daily. One recent undercover investigation suggests that U.S. inspectors may be stopping as few as one in 40 shipments through the 10-lane crossing.”

Jim put down the paper, and said, “Yeah, it takes us at least an hour and a half to wait in line in our truck at the border - the line sometimes stretches for a mile. The only scenery is the Calexico water tank.

Seems to me that the U.S. Border Patrol guys are doing a great job - they take their time with each vehicle, and are real straight fellows.”

Jim picked up the newspaper, and continued, “Beyond the border crossing, smugglers face relatively few obstacles. Unlike in San Diego, where they must run a gantlet of local law enforcement, only a handful of Calexico cops and Imperial County sheriff’s deputies patrol downtown streets, including Imperial Avenue, the north-south thoroughfare leading to Interstate 8.”

Matthew interrupted, “When is two and a half men coming on?”

“You missed it,” said Jim, continuing to read the paper, “Calexico Police Chief James Lee Neujahr, standing at the palm-lined gateway to the city, pointed to the ‘Welcome to Calexico’ sign at Friendship Park, where cartel lookouts report on the progress of drug shipments coming through the crossing at 1st and Paulin streets.”

Jim stopped reading again. “MaryAnn, did you ever see any drug cartel lookouts in Calexico?”

“Not that I know of,” I replied.

Matthew chimed in, “I think I did.”

“What makes you think that?” asked Jim.

“This guy had on those real big sunglasses,” answered Matthew.

“Well,” said Jim, “then you better stop wearing your real big sunglasses.”

Before Matthew could answer, Jim read on, “Neujahr believes smuggling groups long ago figured out that Imperial County lacks resources, a neglected status reaffirmed this year, he said, when the Justice Department issued $8.7 million in Southwest border crime grants. Communities as far away as San Mateo County in the Bay Area got funding, but not Imperial County.”

Jim got up and put the newspaper into the trash, and said, “Geez, almost seems like some folks in the U.S. want those drugs to get through.”

“Why?” asked Matthew.

Jim looked at Matthew, and said, “Not all folks are as good as you, Matthew.”

I just shook my head, smiled, and continued mashing potatoes.

Things have been slow, this Holiday Season, even for Mexicali.

It was a little after 10:30 in the morning and I was watching my favorite show on TV – Two and a Half Men.

I don’t really care much for what Charlie Sheen has been up to in real life, but, on the show he is really terrific – so good that, sometimes, even Jim will watch.

It was the calm before the storm, so to speak. One could say “Twas like the night before Christmas, when all through the house…Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” – when all hell broke loose!

There was a rumble, and the house started shaking, and swaying, and swaying, then it kept on swaying. Matthew ran screaming out of his bedroom.

Jim came out of the bathroom, and shouted, “MaryAnn, Matthew, come here – we gotta stand under the doorway!”

Matthew said, “Are we gonna die? What if the earth splits open like in the movies!”

“Just keep quiet,” said Jim with a bit of nervousness in his voice.

Our dog, Rex, and the cats, Moss and Twiggy, didn’t do anything.  We thought animals had some kind of special way of sensing earthquakes, but not our guys.

Well, nothing fell, except for the coffee pot on the stove, and the house stood up great. I guess with all the earthquakes here, they know how to build houses that can take it.

Yes, folks, it was an earthquake, and a big one, rated as 5.8 on the Richter scale, and it started at 10:28:57am. It lasted only about 30 seconds, but it seemed much longer.

The center of the earthquake was just 23 miles south of Mexicali – which is where most of our earthquakes take place.

Why? Because that’s where the volcano is.

Yes, there is a volcano south of Mexicali, and it’s called the Cerro Prieto Volcano.

No one knows when the volcano last erupted, but the experts say it was probably within the past 10,000 years – so maybe we’re safe. We’ve driven by the volcano. Nearby is a geothermal plant to generate electricity.

Jim tells me the process is simple, “They just pump water down into some kinda special wells, and the steam gushes out.”

“Well, how does that make electricity?” I asked.

Jim thought a second, and said, “Turbines, and stuff.”

I like the fact that Jim always knows a lot of technical stuff like standing under doorways.

So it’s on to New Year.  Since there is too much traffic and waiting time to go across the border, we will be in Mexicali.

As usual, we have planned ahead, and it is going to be a big surprise for Matthew. First we are going to our favorite restaurant, Sonorense.

Then, and it is a secret from Matthew - we are going to take him to the movies - to see Avatar - Matthew’s gonna freak!

Here’s what the new U.S. health care “reform” bill has in store for Americans:

• A 50% increase in the cost of a premium for a pre-existing condition.
• No public option where everybody would get it free, like in some other countries.
• No Medicare buy-in where 55-plus people can pay to get Medicare.
• Compulsory health insurance for everybody, like car insurance.
• Fines and potential jail time for failure to sign up with a health insurance company.
• Hundreds of millions in payoffs to Senators to get them to vote for the bill.

That doesn’t sound great to me, at all.

I sure hope the compulsory part of the bill doesn’t apply to Americans living in Mexico.

If Jim and I had to pay U.S. health insurance premiums we would go broke, and so would a lot of folks.

In Mexico, the health insurance system is much better, but don’t take my word for it. Here’s what CBS News has to say:

Some Senior Citizens are Finding Sunshine and Affordable Health Insurance in Mexico

(CBS)  For American retirees the Pacific coast town of Manzanillo, Mexico is paradise. The weather is always warm. Every home has a view, without a million dollar price tag. And a doctor’s visit doesn’t cost a penny out of pocket.

CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella reports Billy and Sandi Hunter retired to their dream home in Manzanillo. Then they learned they hit the healthcare jackpot: full medical, dental and vision coverage for $600 a year.

“It was a great deal, and the care is good,” Billy said.

The Hunters bought into the Mexican Social Security Institute, or IMSS - a government-run health care plan for Mexican employees but open to legal foreigners.

“When we leave our doctor’s office, if we have a prescription we go pick it up,” Sandi said. “No charge, so we like it.”

There are no limits, no deductibles and no co-pays. Even pre-existing conditions are covered after the first one to two years.

Doctor Ivan Ocadiz is a doctor in Manzanillo’s IMSS hospital. He said the number of patients from the U.S. increases month by month.

The hospital is new, but without the comforts of a U.S. facility: few private rooms, extras like blankets are brought from home, and families are expected to help feed and bathe patients. But when it comes to diagnosis and treatment, Americans here say it’s just as good, sometimes better than the U.S.

Craig McDole was taking more than a dozen pills prescribed in the U.S. when he collapsed on a tennis court in Mexico. He went to an IMSS hospital.

“When my internist there saw what I was taking, he went nuts. What do they have you on all this medicine for?” he said.

McDole’s feeling well now. Dr. Ocadiz said, “he’s perfect.”

But the system isn’t perfect: long lines, waiting lists, not enough doctors or in some cases, not enough medications.

IMSS is designed for Mexican workers who’ve been paying into the system for decades and it’s already financially strained. Some worry a flood of American retirees could bankrupt it. The Hunters would like to see their own government come up with an alternative.

“I wish they could stop arguing and find a way to help as many people as are helped here,” Sandi said. “This is simple. It’s not perfect, but a lot of people get good care.”

Without it, the Hunters would struggle to afford paradise in their golden years.

Mexican health insurance is a whole lot better than what you get in the U.S.

OK, what if you live in Mexico and have no health insurance, like us?

Well, here’s an article from International Living on the subject.

(By the way, you can check all my quotes by clicking on the blue links.)

Health Care in Mexico-High Quality, Low Cost

By Glynna Prentice

When I decided to move overseas, I made sure I would have access to excellent, affordable health care. After all, I only wanted to downsize my expenses-not lower my quality of life.

That’s why I picked Mexico. I’d heard that Mexico’s medical professionals and hospitals are first-rate, while the cost is only a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. I’ve lived in Mexico nearly three years now, and so far I’ve never been disappointed. My own medical care has been all that I’d hoped. Other expats I’ve spoken with report the same thing.

My first experience with Mexican health care was pretty minor. I cut my thumb while slicing vegetables, and needed stitches. At the clinic I was moved to the head of the line-I saw a doctor right away. The stitches weren’t the dissolvable kind that I was used to in the States, but otherwise the prep and treatment were similar. The other difference was the fee: less than $5. In the U.S., I probably would have had to add a couple of zeroes to that bill.

As I say, a few stitches are pretty minor. But low fees are the rule here rather than the exception. Most specialists, for instance, charge between 350 and 500 pesos ($27 to $38) for a consultation. I pay 400 pesos (about $31) to see an internist. A local gynecologist here in Campeche-whose lab equipment is cutting-edge-charges 350 pesos for a consultation, and 500 to 700 pesos ($38 to $55) for an ultrasound. The gynecologist takes her time with patients, too-no rushing.

Dental work is also cheaper. I lost part of a back tooth some months back, and the dentist said I’d need more than a filling to repair it. He took a mold of the tooth and had his lab create a replacement for the missing section. I returned the next week for a fitting. The entire cost-for both visits, the mold, and the fitting-was less than $100.

Well, there you go. Even without health insurance, Mexico has better and more affordable health care.

With or without health insurance, Mexico wins.

No wonder so many retirees and other Americans are moving to Mexico! It’s such a shame when patriotic Americans, like Jim and me, can’t afford to live in our own country!

There’s no way people like us, with modest means, could survive with the U.S. health care system.

We could easily wind up on the sidewalk like that poor woman on LA’s skid row…and so could you!

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!”

December 1st, was the first time I crossed the border to Calexico, two and a half months after my Tarlov cyst operation!

While I was recuperating, Jim had to go alone to Calexico for our usual errands.  Today, I got into the front seat of our truck, Matthew sitting in the back, Jim at the wheel, he stepped on the gas, and we were off to the border-town of Calexico. Yippie-Kai-Yay!!!!!!!!

While waiting in line for U.S. customs, we saw a blue car, a Jetta, with Pennsylvania plates in front of us.

There were two American gals, with their 4 dogs inside the car. The two larger dogs had their heads poking out of the car, and were enjoying every moment, while the 2 smaller dogs hopped around inside the small Jetta. The women bought little vases and welcome signs from the Mexican street vendors along the border crossing line. They also bought cold drinks and bottled water for their pets, which they dribbled out of the bottles for their pets to drink. We love dog and cat people, and it was such a nice scene.

We reached checkpoint, at the same time as the two gals and their four pets. The border patrol guards, after inspecting the gals’ passports let them and their dogs all through.

On a prior trip, Jim had asked the U.S. Border Patrol guy what was their policy on pets? The guy said, “So long as they look healthy we let them in.”

“No papers?”

“Nope.”

“How many pets can I bring into the U.S., that way?” asked Jim.

“Don’t think there’s a limit,” came back the answer.

Good to know.

We had lunch at Denny’s in El Centro at around 2:00pm - the tab came to $54.00 for the three of us. Looking at the bill, Jim said, “Heck, that would be about 702 pesos - plenty for six people back in Mexicali.”

Next, we popped into the Social security office, and the IRS next door, to clear up on some paperwork. Jim is still trying to get Social Security to give us credit for years they have missed - yeah, that’s right - years they have missed. Well, they are checking on it.

Friends - don’t be like us - get your earnings statement from Social Security at least once every couple of years. If you wait too long - they may have “lost” the data they say, and you will be getting less on your Social Security. Incredible!

Then it was off to Staples to get some toner for our computer printer. Wow, ninety-six bucks - and it used to be around seventy.

The price of food and printer ink have gone up.

Jim complained, “Our dollar’s goin’ down! The next time we order online or get it back in Mexicali.”

Leaving Staples we turned the radio on to NPR - just about the only English language station in the area.

Jim joked, “I’m not a Commie just because I listen to NPR.”

Matthew asked, “Is it a Communist radio station.”

“Pretty near,” laughed Jim.

We had seen on the TV about the White House crashers, and were all amazed at how these two people managed to get into the White House without proper invitations.

Now it was on NPR.

Jim just shook his head and said, “Those bums coulda killed the President. So what if they had no weapons goin’ in - there were plenty of knives lying around on the tables. They should have taken those bums out and shot’em in back of the White House.”

“I agree,” chimed in Matthew - I don’t care much for Obama, but he is our President.”

“You bet,” said Jim.

On our way back, we stopped off to collect our mail and drop into Wal-mart’s Calexico store. Matthew needed a portable heater.  It gets cold at night in Mexicali, even though it is sunny and in the 80s/70s during the day, but, at night, it drops of by a good 40 degrees. It starts getting dark by 4.30 in the afternoon, now.

“Are we going to get a Christmas tree,” asked Matthew.

“What in tarnation for?” asked Jim.

“Well, the lights and all…,” answered Matthew.

“I think were a little old for that kinda stuff,” said Jim.

Matthew didn’t respond, but slumped back into his seat like a spoiled little kid - he’s a funny guy, that way.
We live in tough economic times. For folks who want to live - what we think is a great life - in Mexico, I highly recommend that you buy The Best How-To Book on Moving to Mexico, by Carol Schmidt, Norma Hair, and Rolly Brook, three retired people who have moved to Mexico and made a great go of it.
We live in a border town, and our experiences are different from theirs in many respects, but we learned a lot from their book.

Recently, we read about a 97 year old woman, and her two sons who had lived in their car, after they were evicted from their apartment.  It broke our hearts.

With their combined income, they could live quite comfortably here in Mexicali. Small two or three bedroom apartments here in Mexicali cost only around $250 a month.  According to the newspaper, that 97 year old woman was getting a lot more than that on her Social Security.

Too bad they don’t know about Mexicali, where they could have a decent life.

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!