It hit me yesterday that a year ago, we probably couldn’t have done any of this.
Our Spanish skills weren’t yet good enough to find a place completely on our own, or to call and transfer our cable and home phone accounts to the new place. I still internally scream at Telmex for charging me 280 pesos to change my address, but at least I understand the customer service lady. And I don’t throw the phone down in disgust when nobody picks up until the fourth try.
A year ago, it would’ve been much more stressful to navigate the rental contract and fiador intricacies; I would’ve worried about seeming like a helpless gringo to my new landlord. I’m still slightly helpless — I rely on “cómo se llama, es que no sé la palabra en español” a lot — but at least I knew to ask her for a copy of the last electric bill, and a copy of her insurance policy. And dude: she is a sophisticated lady, and not, as my mom used to say, one of my little friends. (One of my mom’s popular lines when I was a teenager: “Don’t use that tone with me missy, I’m not one of your little friends.”) Our landlady is a professional person, and I am able to be completely professional with her.
We’re now comfortable with the small things about the move, like how the heck we’re going to hang the TV up on the wall. (Hiring a local service.) And which dear friends we could ask to take some of our framed pictures over in their SUV, to lessen the chances of the movers breaking anything. (Thanks, Carlos and Daniela.)
What I’m trying to say with all of this is: it’s funny how you go about realizing that your new home is truly home. I’d felt like that after six months here; but really, it’s still continuing to happen, slowly, with these types of small achievements. And all this makes me feel really good, and proud, because you know — I want to embrace life here. That was the whole point of moving to Mexico City.
I don’t often allow myself any pats on the back, but this time I am allowing myself a tiny one. We are chilagos, people. Chilangos!
Pictures of the new place to come.
I feel your pain: LOL. When I got here I couldn’t get a home telephone because I couldn’t even work through the menu of TeleMex – NO Push #2 for English. I am not running around so TENSE anymore – embracing my new home too. As to your new landlady, I can tell you from personal experience: Keep it professional.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new place.
Jzs
Congratulations. I know what you mean about being able to navigate new places without the dreaded “oh crap it’s a gringo” look in their eyes. I think your Spanish is better than mine (I still hate the phone) but maybe that has something to do with me being 56! I am getting there, but it is slower than I had expected when we moved to Mazatlan almost 3 years ago.
Have fun!
Felicidades 🙂 This is a very cool adventure and you should be proud of how far you’ve come. *high five* 🙂
Thanks Señora Lopez. Appreciate it!