Zihuawatanejo, MX

I still can't get over my $1.50 haircut which was done well.  She didn't wash my hair but the shop was clean.  I also paid less than $9.00 for pedicure and less than $10.00 for manicure.  Just says how depressed economy is. Mexico annual per capital income is $15,000; US Some of our ex-pat(people who move here from another country) friends say they only pay $100/year in property taxes.  It is a double edged sword---low costs bring in tourists and ex-pats but locals live daily with low pay and costs(which hurt store owners).  You can understand why so many Canadians and Americans retire here.  

We met a Canadian couple walking along the street yesterday and talking to them found out they might be interested in our apartment complex.  They were okay with no hot water and no AC.  Another "aging hippie" couple, as our daughters call us.

Trash pick up seems to be a big problem.  I haven't figured out what day it is but there is much trash on streets and neighborhood and most is not in sacks.  But even sacks remain in streets for several days. Picking up poop is rarely done since most dogs aren't on leash and don't seem to belong to anyone.  But you see shopowners picking up trash, sweeping and mopping their stores and the sidewalks in front of their stores each day. They make an effort to keep it clean.  You also see a lot of window washing because of all the dust.

I take laundry to be washed and folded about twice a week.  It costs about $20 for everything.  I have been washing some things by hand and hanging them on our balcony.  We haven't seen any dry cleaners.  We don't need one but just find it interesting.  As I said last year it still amazes me how white they get their clothes.

We eat breakfast in apartment, usually yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola.  We eat either lunch or supper out and it is about $12.  When we eat in it is avacado, onion, tomato, lettuce, cheese, lettuce, fresh fruit.  We are walking more than 10,000 steps a day.  At home I rarely hit 10,000.  We take car when we are going to another town or beach but otherwise we walk.

We continue to enjoy the adventure!

Sent from my iPhone -
Sharon Adair Winslow