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Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I sit here and write an article about medical tourism in Mexico, healthcare in Mexico, retiring in Mexico, or how life and culture is in Mexico.

Coming up with a new topic everyday is not easy, but I try to do my best. And the reason I do this is because I want to help you learn something about any of these topics that you didn't know about.

But if there is something that you think I haven't covered, or something that you want to read about, let me know in the comments. I will be glad to do some research and write about it if I can.

Also, if you like my blog, support it by buying a copy of either The English Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, a guide of the best doctors and health centers with experience treating foreigners in the most visited areas of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, a guide that explains how the Medical healthcare system works, what to do in case of an emergency, and what cultural differences you can expect from visiting a doctor in Mexico.

Thanks for reading, and see you next Friday!

Also, read about the top 5 countries with medical tourism growth potential.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to  get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.   

Living in Mexico: The Concept of Time

It's common practice to arrive late to weddings in Mexico

One of the main differences between American and Mexican culture is the concept of time. If you decide to live in Mexico, you WILL notice a difference. This is one of the things you should know about Mexico before coming to live permanently here.

Mexicans, due to many cultural and historical reasons, in general have a less concrete concept of time. This reflects in a much more lax abiding to schedules and planning. If you aren't familiar with this concept, what you'll notice is that Mexicans tend to arrive late.

However, the management of time in Mexico is much more complex than this symplistic "Mexicans are late" stereotype.

For example, if you are an employee for a company, you will be expected to arrive on time. Some companies will tolerate 5 or 10 minutes or even half an hour, but only on special occasions. You certainly can't arrive late every day or with frequency without consequences.

Also, in some situations, it's ok for a person to arrive late, but not for the other. One clear case is when two people from different hierarchies arrange to meet. The boss may arrive late without any need to give an explanation, but the employee may not. This system also works when one person needs something from another person meet. If a person needs a favor or something else from another one, he or she will have to be on time while the other person may arrive late. This attitude is very common when you're meeting a client or when you go to the doctor. In addition, when making arrangements for a date far in the future, it's always better to call the day before and ask if the plan is still on (Mexicans call this practice "to confirm" as in "I just called to confirm that the plan is still on.)

Social reunions are a different matter. Since Mexicans think of free time as "not work" they believe that there is absolutely no reason to subject themselves to schedules, like they do with work. Thus it is common for people to arrive at parties with 30 minutes, one hour, or even two hours later than the announced hour without anyone considering it rude. In fact, the host will often say something like "I'm glad you managed to make it, I was afraid you weren't going to come."On one on one interactions, for example, f you are meeting with a friend for the first time, expect him or her to arrive up to 30 minutes late.

What are the benefits? A much more relaxed way of life. You'll find that Mexicans don't behave as rushed as Americans (again, there are tons of exceptions), and they take their time to "stop and smell the roses." It also allows for more flexibility, for example, you can always stop on the way to a party and buy the present that you forgot to buy the day before. I personally carry a book with me all the time and try to agree the other person to meet at a place where I can sit and have a cup of coffee.

Finally, as with every culture, people tend to react to your actions. A person that always arrives late (or worse, doesn't show up at all) with no call, with no explanation, with no apology, will soon run out of friends and clients. Time in Mexico is not a carte blanche either.

Living on Mexico: The perennial "tiendita"

If you choose to retire in Mexico, like many Americans do, you will eventually run into the concept of "tiendita," literally "little store."

Also, known as "tiendita de la esquina," a tiendita is a small store that typically sells very basic food items. However, it is mostly known for being a place where you can easily and quickly get soda, snacks, chips, candy, chocolate, and beer.

The advantage of tienditas consist of being within walking distance. In fact, in most places you'll be hard pressed to NOT find a tiendita nearby. And if you find a tiendita-free zone, then you'll know you're in a zone designed for gringos.

Tienditas have several functions. In a country where planning is not a priority, it allows a person to get that one item that she forgot to buy at the market or supermarket. It also offers a quick place to get a small reward for a child. It is not uncommon for children to be given a few pesos so they can get a candy at the tiendita. Of course, adults might decide to treat themselves to a beer or a snack.

Mexican people like to visit each other, but unlike other cultures, they don't see anything wrong with bringing an extra friend (or two, or three) without notice. In fact, they might even drop by without a call. This is typically not seen as rude. Yet, the host is forced to offer food and beverages to his or her guests. In such cases, a 5 minute walk to the tiendita and 10 dollars will get enough beer and snacks to comply with his host obligations.

Tienditas also allow people that can't get a job for some reason or another to do something to earn money. Sometimes, the person that will sell you items at the tiendita will be an elderly or handicapped person. Sometimes, it'll be a teenager or a child. Lastly, buying often from the same tiendita might give you some privileges. For poor people, one of the most valuable ones is some form of extremely informal or just practical credit. Many Mexican mothers send their children to get something from the tiendita with a promise of payment the next day.

The dark side of the tienditas is that many corporations use them as a vehicle to distribute unhealthy products to poor people. People who run tienditas typically don't have the means for efficiently transporting goods from suppliers to their stores. So, when Coca-Cola comes and delivers their products directly to their stores, it is a good deal for them, specially because these corporations also loan equipment, such as fridges, chairs and tables with their logos at little or no cost.

Tienditas, like piñatas, are a big part of the Mexican culture, and they will likely remain so for decades.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to  get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

Soccer: A Part of Life in Mexico

In Mexico, even baby Jesus supports the national team.

Today, my house is dirty and there's a big pile of dirty plates. In theory, the maid is coming today and the house should be cleaned and the dishes washed and put away. But I know that the chances of that happening are close to zero.

Why? Because the Mexican team plays a game in the World Cup.

If you plan to live in Mexico, you'll have to learn that soccer (known as "futbol") is more than a national hobby. It's an important part of the culture and it's commonly referred to as "the passion." Mexicans live and breath futbol (whereas "football" is known as "futbol americano"). And people missing work or calling in sick is, if not justified, expected.

Most companies know they can't beat soccer. Instead, they place big screens on their offices and factories, so that employees can watch the game and then go back to their tasks, which is a better alternative than the employees not coming to work.

Also, it's not like you can do much. Companies know that business during the games is close to zero, so even if their employees were working, nobody else will. On the other hand, companies that produce, distribute, and sell snacks, sodas, and beer will have great business right before the game.

Futbol (get used to it, nobody calls it "soccer" here) is so big that it's starting to go into religious territories. It is not uncommon to see Mexicans pray or dress their saints with the uniform of their favorite teams.

What does it mean for you? If you are planning to come to Mexico for health care or vacations, or you are living in Mexico, find out if an important game is about to take place. Hospitals and ambulances will still be available, but small clinics or doctors who run their own practices might not. Other services, like mechanics or small stores will typically close, although big chains will not. If you have a maid or a worker, it's better to tell them not to come. Chances are they won't anyway.

In the end, futbol is one of those aspects of Mexican culture that is very different from American culture. Like everything that's different about Mexico, you might like it, hate it, or be indifferent to it, but whatever the case is, it's not going to go away.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Top Destinations for Retiring Abroad

In a previous post, I wrote about how the top destinations for medical tourism in the world. Today I stumbled upon another article that ranks the top destinations for retirement.

The ranking was done by International Living, a site specialized in places and tips for people living and retiring abroad. The main factors taken into account for the ranking were real estate prices, cost of living, climate, entertainment, health care, retirement infrastructure and ease of cultural integration.

So, what are these havens for American retirees?

4.- Costa Rica

3.- Mexico

2.- Malasya

1.- Ecuador

Obviously, each of these countries has its pros and cons. Just because Ecuador is number one on the list, it doesn't mean that it's number on in your list. For example, people who don't want to deal with a different local language, will find Malasya a more convenient place to live. Mexico is much closer to the US than any of the other countries, but it's not as cheap as Ecuador. So, it depends entirely on your preferences and needs.

Financial matters are always a big factor. Living in these countries allow Americans to live very comfortably on $2,000US a month. Some spend much less than that, more because of their adaptation to the local culture than because they need to cut down costs.

Also, health care costs are becoming increasingly important in making Americans leave for greener pastures.

Almost 50% of Americans have less than $25,000 in savings at the time of their retirement, and only 45% of them have a pension or a 401k plan. And 33% of retirees receive 90% of their retirement income from social security benefits and this amount is around $15,000 a year. Obviously, for people who are uninsured or underinsured, this is not enough.

Many of these countries have foreign friendly private and public health care systems. For example, in Costa Rica, the cost of private medical insurance is around $100 a month. In Mexico, a foreign retiree can get into the Mexican Social Security system for $350 per year, and after two years, you get full coverage.

Obviously, there are other factors that can influence your decision on whether to spend your golden years abroad. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. But it's a good option for people who are looking for a change, a slower pace, and who like to have some adventure after leaving their jobs.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Retiring in Mexico: A Sample Case

Patricia, like other Americans, finds joy in working after retirement in Mexico.

Patrice Wynne woke up one day and decided that she didn't want to live the rest of her life in Berkeley California.

She wanted to retire to a place where she could have a relaxing life, live comfortably for less. and yet continue to work in something she loved. She didn't want to spend her life at cocktail parties and playing tennis.

That was three years ago. Today, she is the proud owner of Abrazos (hugs), in the downtown of San Miguel de Allende, a popular and folkloric town northeast of Mexico City. The store sells aprons, handbags, clothes and kitchen accessories with Mexican themes.

Americans have come to Mexico for the weather, the beaches, the colors and the food. But now, they are staying, thanks to lower costs of living, the affordable health care and a fulfilling working retirement.

It's not that these Americans have to earn a living, but living in Mexico allows them to open business or work in an area that they're passionate about. With the help of technology, freelancers are able to work with their usual clients and employees from Mexico too. There are often positions for English teachers and translators.

But again, many Americans retire to work in Mexico because they want to dedicate themselves to something they enjoy doing. Many of them become artists, painters, dancers, educators, designers, bakers, restauranteurs, life coaches or some other profession that allows them to express themselves or just have a social, satisfying life.

Also, unlike in the US, in Mexico, older people don't get discriminated against, but they are actually treated with respect.

So, how much did Patrice spend in order to get her new life?

Her house, which has a fabulous vista of San Miguel de Allende, cost $105,000 US, and she invested an extra $35,000 to get it in working condition and make it look gorgeous.

Getting her store running cost $12,400. This included inventory and raw materials, lights, decorations and computers. She pays a $600 dollars rent, which she claims is much smaller than the $8,000 she paid each month for the rent of her book store back in California. Abrazos Her store measures 650 square feet.

But then again, it's not about the money. In Patrice's own words:

"Yes, it (moving to Mexico) has to do with affordability and having your retirement income be expanded. But like other expats working here, I wanted to be adventurous and have new learning opportunities."

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Not-so-famous Retirement Destinations in Mexico

You can't visit Mexico and not have the Puebla Zocalo Experience

If you're considering retiring in Mexico, you might have heard of destinations such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cuernavaca and Ajijic.

Today I stumbled upon an article that talks about other destinations that are as pretty or attractive as these.  I agree that all the places mentioned in the article are very good choices for retirement. However, precisely because they're not so popular, they require a bit more of a commitment from your part if you choose them as a place to live. For example, you might have to learn a bit more Spanish than basic greetings or asking how much the kilogram of tortillas costs? (Although I seriously encourage every English speaker who comes to live in Mexico to learn the language, since it makes a great mental exercise and it makes your stay much more pleasant).

Sayulita. A lovely village very close to Puerto Vallarta.

Patzcuaro. A beautiful and famous lakefront town in Michoacan on the West coast of Mexico.

Puebla. By far my favorite city to visit. The zocalo (main square) is the zocalo against which all other zocalos in Mexico are measured with. It's also a bit of a museum-city, with plenty of cultural activities to do. The famous pyramid of Cholula with a church on top is very close, as well as the Africam Safari open zoo, which is a delight for children. The food and pottery are not to be missed.

Costa Maya. Not far from Cancun, there are many small, beach towns that are perfect for those who are willing to let go of comfort and consumerism for a much simpler, quieter lifestyle.

Campeche. To be honest, I haven't been there, so I can't comment about it. But it is on the list, so I'm including it here. It's in the east of the country.

Valle de Bravo. If the small city of Cuernavaca, an already popular destination for retirement is still too hectic for you, then you can choose to live in this high-class lakefront community. A popular destination for middle and high class Mexicans.

If you want to read the original article, go here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Medical Care for Our Furry Friends

Chico on His Way to Recovery

This is Chico. He's the furry little friend of Monica Rix Paxson, the author of The English Speaker's Guide to Health Care in Mexico. He was rescued as a pup.

Unfortunately, Chico (Spanish for boy and small) took a fall from a cliff recently. He dislocated his leg and he got some bad scratches. His leg is in a cast and the scratches are superficial, if impressive. He's on his way to recovery now and in a couple of weeks he should be his usually happy self.

This incident prompted me to write about the differences in culture between the US and Mexico when it comes to animal treatment.

Animal treatment is not a priority in Mexico. In fact, it could be compared to the way animals were treated in the US back in the 70s. It's not uncommon to see abandoned dogs or their progeny. Do not be surprised if you see a dog owner, usually in low-class neighborhoods, tying up his or her dog with a 2 feet leash and leaving him with no water, food or protection against the weather all day long.

Even in high-class neighborhoods, people often buy full-breed dogs, like French Poodles, in the same way they buy a portable video game console: as a toy to keep their children occupied. I once saw a family whose children pinned the dog to the ground and pulled its hair out right in front of the parents without anyone (but me) raising an objection.

In the countryside, you can frequently see horses or cows walking on their own on the road, as if they had no owner. In truth, their owners can't feed them or water them, and so they release them on the road so they feed and water themselves. The author and I once stopped and bought water from house nearby when we saw a group of horses trying to drink from some soapy puddle next to a laundromat.

But the worst part is that bullfighting and cock fighting are still legal in Mexico.

Not everything is bad news. Attitudes are slowly changing for the better. People who like bullfighting have to hide their "hobby" from others. And practices like vaccinating your animals, treating them well, and sterilizing them are becoming more common.

Here's the other good news. In Mexico, as the dog whisperer Cesar Millian points out, dogs are allowed to be dogs. In general, they are not treated like human children, but more like family friends. While not as lavishly well-treated as their siblings in the US, this is a much healthier mental attitude for a dog.

Fortunately, almost all veterinarians are true animal lovers. A veterinarian in Mexico makes very little, so only people who have the call for it will dedicate themselves to taking care of animals.

If you have a furry friend, you'll want to know a good veterinarian in Mexico. This is one more reason why it's a good idea to know about an expat community before moving here. It's also one of the best reasons to learn the language. In case of an emergency, you will want to go to the nearest available veterinarian if your regular veterinarian is not available, and you will need to communicate what happened and understand what needs to be done.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

Safety in Mexico: A Testimonial

It's no secret that many Americans are afraid of coming to Mexico because of the violence. Everytime Mexico is in the news, it's usually because there's a report of a gun fight, a kidnapping, or a murder. With that kind of violence going around, who would ever want to live there? Don't the Americans who go to Mexico for health care know that the saving won't make up for the risk of losing their lives?

Today, I wanted to share a testimonial of William Chaney, who retired with his wife to Mexico after 44 years of working on the food industry. He wrote his own view on safety in Mexico:

"Is Mexico safe? The short answer is yes.

Mexico is host to about 2 million retired Americans, as well as a great number of Canadians and people from other countries. Some have lived here for years and every year, there are new ones arriving.

People routinely ask about the violence that they see in the newspapers and TV at home. This violence happens mostly due to wars between cartels and it's focused mostly in towns near the border. Sometimes there is violence in areas where the drug is manufactured, grown, or transported. Almost all of the killings happen to people involved in the drug business; people who grow, transport, sell, buy or manufacture drugs. There is no violence in the retirement communities.

Obviously, if you're coming to Mexico to find drugs easily, then you're pretty much putting yourself in danger.

Regarding other types of violence, Mexico is as safe as any country. There is the occasional robbery and the break-in, and yes, a foreigner will be involved once in a while, but no more than in any other part in the world. However, when it happens, it makes headlines in the country of origin of the foreigner, and if that's the only news you have about everyday Mexico, then you're going to get an exaggerated idea of how unsafe Mexico is. I have been traveling to Mexico for 20 years and I have never heard any problems between retirees and locals that ended up in violence.

Mexico is a very safe place to retire, and I would say even safer than other retiring places int he world. The Mexican government has an interest in making retirement and tourism safe. There's always a strong police presence, which is there to make sure that areas where foreigners or retired are are safe. After all, tourism and retirees' spending constitute Mexico's second source of income, behind oil exports.

Remember that, just like anywhere else, you have to do your part. Respect the culture and costumes of the people of Mexico. You are the guest in their country. Research and obey the laws and the manners of Mexico, which can be very different from the ones where you came from. Mexico has a slower pace than most Western countries. Just go with the flow and enjoy it. Mexicans, despite the ridiculous stereotype, are very hard working and they too dream of retiring and enjoy their last years. When you get to know them and adapt to them, your time in Mexico might become the best years of your life.

Living in Mexico is about 30% cheaper than in the States. However, those who have the means can get themselves a penthouse with ocean view, a maid and a chef. I strongly advice against this, as you'd be missing on the amazing local customs and the warmth of Mexicans."

You can read William's Blog here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.