When I lived in the states (Seattle), my house had a fireplace and junk mail came in handy. Here in Mexico, I rarely receive anything but when we do, they kind of wedge it between the gate. Mostly though, I stay connected to these things (bills) electronically. We don't need no stinking mailbox. (sorry, Humphrey and crew)
I imagine (it's been a long time) that the USPS mostly delivers waste products these days, and I'm not sure why it was important to keep it at 6 days a week.
By the way, I could never keep "bimonthly" straight and always avoided using it. I see why, now. That ones should be exiled to the back of the dictionary where nobody would think to look.
Yes, I suppose junk mail comes in handy if you live in a colder climate. I never considered that benefit. Maybe in Minnesota in the winter, they should up mail delivery to seven days a week.
Agreed about "bimonthly". It is economical from a typing perspective. but "twice a month" or "every other month" don't require footnotes.
Oh love this one, Mike. Don Chevo, may he RIP, was our mail person for so many years. He rather epitomized the system bc he always had lumbego and could never deliver the mail. It’s almost impossible to describe the system, if it’s even that. Our contractor told us early on, never send anything of value through Mexico mail. But of course as you mention, everyone works around it and life goes on.
Thank you, Jeanine. Don Chevo sounds like the personification of the mail system here. And agreed - "system" is a generous word😉. Thanks for the comment!
When you outline it like this, it does seem odd that we put so much energy into keeping our US PS. Personally, I do not look forward to mail because of the reasons you state above – it’s mostly junk mail and bills! Take the junk mail out, take the bills out because they’re delivered by email organization, their own bills, and I can see how you really don’t get much mail! It’s so basic to our culture, every house having a prominent mailbox displayed outside. It seems that the US just isn’t comfortable with the change (vs we have it for good reason. In reading this, I don’t understand the reason why we would spend taxpayer dollars to keep it going… it is comfortable, but I wouldn’t prioritize it over many other things like education, mental health services, etc.
Yes it seems like the US could better spend that money elsewhere. I don't think the USPS should go away, but maybe not such frequent delivery. And the junk mail - the service should refuse to carry unsolicited mail (and yes, I get it that the businesses behind junk mail are paying postage, but still it is massively wasteful).
The one day we are always visited by the mail carrier (which brings the total to around five visits for the year) is on November 12, Día del Cartero, the official Day of the Mail Carrier. He always leaves a small envelope for a tip.
I've always wondered about mail in Mexico. I've seen many buzones on peoples houses or gates. And once I saw someone who I assumed was a letter carrier but maybe he was delivering bills from a utility?
Agreed for sure. Except! I don't have an address nor does this Pueblo get ANY deliveries so if you want anything besides polyester Hello Kitty glitter tshirts and size 5 sneakers for toddlers you have to get a guy who knows a guy to get a paqueteria box and find out his name cuz if delivered in your name you have to be there to pick up. Or you can ride the three hours on the bus to the pick up place and then wait 5 hours for the return bus. Or get the guy who knows the guy with the name listed on the box to bring back your stuff for $400 pesos in a random amount of time. Oh dang, it doesn't fit? Well text the guy who knows the guy... but I don't miss going to the mailbox to grab some trash. But I do miss ordering and shopping for better food products and clothing online. So I don't shop and just eat and dress like a hillbilly. yes, I'm aware I need to move to a better town. Please advise. :-)
Yes, Lola - it sounds like you are in the "rural" sector, where mail delivery is even more haphazard and/or non-existent. Good luck with the people-who-know-people delivery service, but I know the drill: sometimes it works, often it doesn't. How far are you from the Gulf of California? Maybe you'd be better off getting boats coming from Baja?
no haphazard, just non existent. Even Amazon I asked? Even Amazon. The Sea of Cortez? (which I say because it sounds more interesting to me than Golfo de California) is 5 blocks from my house. I was just there with the dogs this morning and some guy Paco brings me skate wing or fish of the day when he feels like it in the afternoons for beer money. Fishing village. No servicios on the Gulfo. The nearest town on the Sea with stuff is San Carlos/Guaymas directly south from here. 6 hours? I'm 3 hours from Hermosillo which is the capital of Sonora and everything goes through there. We don't have any roads. There's a drop point in Caborca which you may recognize from the daily policia blotter of Tierra Caliente no go cartel zones. it's about 2.5 hours. not on the Sea. For a while I got some leashes and dog beds dropped at the vet's house and he drove in on alternate weekends from HMO and that was okay. But he doesn't really come with any regular sched anymore. Baja is about 13 hours by lancha and for the ferry down in Mazatlan (a good 18 plus hours I forget) 2 days to La Paz. But if I was in Mazatlan I wouldn't need a ferry. I'm in front of Isla Tiburon which keeps swimmers on their toes. Puerto Libertad is the name and despite the name there is no port. Lots of freedom though. There's a shrimp trawler that comes by some. They aren't bringing me a new debit card. North 2.5 hours on a dangerous bit of road is Puerto Penasco aka Rocky Point gringo AZ beach condo world. No one will go there because it's tricky and it's gringo prices so the locals just rattle their kidneys on the mostly unpaved road to Hermosillo. If I had a car I'd be less helpless obviously. There is an Asian Company here for a couple years laying pipe from Texas to Sea and building a jetty for their ships to come in and load up with refrigerated natural gas to take back to China. But they come in private security vans work the contract and ship in new guys because there are no services nor food here the contractors don't stay long. The only commerce is Hermosillo and black market off duty bank guys, the beer guys, or the 3 x a week guys that you have to trust to put deliveries in your name. Ive done it a few times with the 6 texts and pays and meetings to get stuff but I dunno, all that for a pair of Skechers? So after 3 years I've just gotten out of the habit of ordering and or wearing matching appropriate clothing that fits me. it's too much stress and $$$ and frankly I don't enjoy shopping without checking quality, feeling fabric, seeing what size really means for shoes etc. So I go without. There is a bus that breaks down on the highway a lot that leaves at 5am and returns at 11pm. And when you get to Hillo, it's laid out like Houston, not walkable, so I'm hiring a driver for the day I guess to take me to Walmart and a butcher. Hard pass all the way 'round. You must be in San Miguel or CDMX, I imagine you've got that map on the wall New Yorkers View of the World. :-) Showing LA, Miami, Manhattan. You're not banging around in Ghettexico I gather.
Yeah, I was joking about using boats on the Gulfo. I once considered taking a road trip down the peninsula and then the La Paz/Mazatlan ferry - but there was something about their dog policy, dogs have to be left in the vehicle for the entire trip or something like that. Anyway, it was a non-starter so I gave up on the idea.
I don't live in San Miguel de Allende or CDMX. I like both places, esp CDMX - but they are both too crowded/expensive for my tastes. Anyway, you certainly have your hands full trying to receive goods and supplies. It is obviously very difficult for you, exacerbated I'm sure by all of the dogs' needs. You have more patience than I do (or maybe that's a learned virtue?). My biggest challenge right now is finding time to get a haircut. Well, that's not entirely true, but whatever my challenges are they pale in comparison to you simply getting a new pair of shoes.
When I lived in the states (Seattle), my house had a fireplace and junk mail came in handy. Here in Mexico, I rarely receive anything but when we do, they kind of wedge it between the gate. Mostly though, I stay connected to these things (bills) electronically. We don't need no stinking mailbox. (sorry, Humphrey and crew)
I imagine (it's been a long time) that the USPS mostly delivers waste products these days, and I'm not sure why it was important to keep it at 6 days a week.
By the way, I could never keep "bimonthly" straight and always avoided using it. I see why, now. That ones should be exiled to the back of the dictionary where nobody would think to look.
Yes, I suppose junk mail comes in handy if you live in a colder climate. I never considered that benefit. Maybe in Minnesota in the winter, they should up mail delivery to seven days a week.
Agreed about "bimonthly". It is economical from a typing perspective. but "twice a month" or "every other month" don't require footnotes.
Thanks for reading and for your comment, Victor.
Oh love this one, Mike. Don Chevo, may he RIP, was our mail person for so many years. He rather epitomized the system bc he always had lumbego and could never deliver the mail. It’s almost impossible to describe the system, if it’s even that. Our contractor told us early on, never send anything of value through Mexico mail. But of course as you mention, everyone works around it and life goes on.
Thank you, Jeanine. Don Chevo sounds like the personification of the mail system here. And agreed - "system" is a generous word😉. Thanks for the comment!
When you outline it like this, it does seem odd that we put so much energy into keeping our US PS. Personally, I do not look forward to mail because of the reasons you state above – it’s mostly junk mail and bills! Take the junk mail out, take the bills out because they’re delivered by email organization, their own bills, and I can see how you really don’t get much mail! It’s so basic to our culture, every house having a prominent mailbox displayed outside. It seems that the US just isn’t comfortable with the change (vs we have it for good reason. In reading this, I don’t understand the reason why we would spend taxpayer dollars to keep it going… it is comfortable, but I wouldn’t prioritize it over many other things like education, mental health services, etc.
Yes it seems like the US could better spend that money elsewhere. I don't think the USPS should go away, but maybe not such frequent delivery. And the junk mail - the service should refuse to carry unsolicited mail (and yes, I get it that the businesses behind junk mail are paying postage, but still it is massively wasteful).
The one day we are always visited by the mail carrier (which brings the total to around five visits for the year) is on November 12, Día del Cartero, the official Day of the Mail Carrier. He always leaves a small envelope for a tip.
Ah yes, the one day when "mail pickup" is a thing 😉
Can confirm: We don't need the direct mail marketing.
All hail Mexico's invention of “the internet” and “email” and “sms” for postal notifications!
Amazing how we can get anything done in Mexico without the local tire shop gifting us full-color sales announcements on heavy card stock!
I've always wondered about mail in Mexico. I've seen many buzones on peoples houses or gates. And once I saw someone who I assumed was a letter carrier but maybe he was delivering bills from a utility?
Could have been either - both exist. You just don't see the mail carriers as prevalently. Thanks for the comment, Duwan!
Lol—That footnote killed me dead.
I call 'em as I see 'em 😆
Agreed for sure. Except! I don't have an address nor does this Pueblo get ANY deliveries so if you want anything besides polyester Hello Kitty glitter tshirts and size 5 sneakers for toddlers you have to get a guy who knows a guy to get a paqueteria box and find out his name cuz if delivered in your name you have to be there to pick up. Or you can ride the three hours on the bus to the pick up place and then wait 5 hours for the return bus. Or get the guy who knows the guy with the name listed on the box to bring back your stuff for $400 pesos in a random amount of time. Oh dang, it doesn't fit? Well text the guy who knows the guy... but I don't miss going to the mailbox to grab some trash. But I do miss ordering and shopping for better food products and clothing online. So I don't shop and just eat and dress like a hillbilly. yes, I'm aware I need to move to a better town. Please advise. :-)
Yes, Lola - it sounds like you are in the "rural" sector, where mail delivery is even more haphazard and/or non-existent. Good luck with the people-who-know-people delivery service, but I know the drill: sometimes it works, often it doesn't. How far are you from the Gulf of California? Maybe you'd be better off getting boats coming from Baja?
no haphazard, just non existent. Even Amazon I asked? Even Amazon. The Sea of Cortez? (which I say because it sounds more interesting to me than Golfo de California) is 5 blocks from my house. I was just there with the dogs this morning and some guy Paco brings me skate wing or fish of the day when he feels like it in the afternoons for beer money. Fishing village. No servicios on the Gulfo. The nearest town on the Sea with stuff is San Carlos/Guaymas directly south from here. 6 hours? I'm 3 hours from Hermosillo which is the capital of Sonora and everything goes through there. We don't have any roads. There's a drop point in Caborca which you may recognize from the daily policia blotter of Tierra Caliente no go cartel zones. it's about 2.5 hours. not on the Sea. For a while I got some leashes and dog beds dropped at the vet's house and he drove in on alternate weekends from HMO and that was okay. But he doesn't really come with any regular sched anymore. Baja is about 13 hours by lancha and for the ferry down in Mazatlan (a good 18 plus hours I forget) 2 days to La Paz. But if I was in Mazatlan I wouldn't need a ferry. I'm in front of Isla Tiburon which keeps swimmers on their toes. Puerto Libertad is the name and despite the name there is no port. Lots of freedom though. There's a shrimp trawler that comes by some. They aren't bringing me a new debit card. North 2.5 hours on a dangerous bit of road is Puerto Penasco aka Rocky Point gringo AZ beach condo world. No one will go there because it's tricky and it's gringo prices so the locals just rattle their kidneys on the mostly unpaved road to Hermosillo. If I had a car I'd be less helpless obviously. There is an Asian Company here for a couple years laying pipe from Texas to Sea and building a jetty for their ships to come in and load up with refrigerated natural gas to take back to China. But they come in private security vans work the contract and ship in new guys because there are no services nor food here the contractors don't stay long. The only commerce is Hermosillo and black market off duty bank guys, the beer guys, or the 3 x a week guys that you have to trust to put deliveries in your name. Ive done it a few times with the 6 texts and pays and meetings to get stuff but I dunno, all that for a pair of Skechers? So after 3 years I've just gotten out of the habit of ordering and or wearing matching appropriate clothing that fits me. it's too much stress and $$$ and frankly I don't enjoy shopping without checking quality, feeling fabric, seeing what size really means for shoes etc. So I go without. There is a bus that breaks down on the highway a lot that leaves at 5am and returns at 11pm. And when you get to Hillo, it's laid out like Houston, not walkable, so I'm hiring a driver for the day I guess to take me to Walmart and a butcher. Hard pass all the way 'round. You must be in San Miguel or CDMX, I imagine you've got that map on the wall New Yorkers View of the World. :-) Showing LA, Miami, Manhattan. You're not banging around in Ghettexico I gather.
Yeah, I was joking about using boats on the Gulfo. I once considered taking a road trip down the peninsula and then the La Paz/Mazatlan ferry - but there was something about their dog policy, dogs have to be left in the vehicle for the entire trip or something like that. Anyway, it was a non-starter so I gave up on the idea.
I don't live in San Miguel de Allende or CDMX. I like both places, esp CDMX - but they are both too crowded/expensive for my tastes. Anyway, you certainly have your hands full trying to receive goods and supplies. It is obviously very difficult for you, exacerbated I'm sure by all of the dogs' needs. You have more patience than I do (or maybe that's a learned virtue?). My biggest challenge right now is finding time to get a haircut. Well, that's not entirely true, but whatever my challenges are they pale in comparison to you simply getting a new pair of shoes.