The condo at Neek Kaan

We've been "Viviendo nuestro sueno", living our dream, here at the condo at Neek Kaan, during the winters since 2009.

Neek Kaan is a beautiful little hideaway in the heart of Progreso in the Yucatan, a city just 30 minutes away from the metropolis of Merida.

In the middle of this very Mexican town is our little hideaway, mostly populated by Canadians throughout the winter months, both renters and owners.  It's a little oasis tucked into a beautiful garden setting just a very short 50 meter or so walk to the ocean. There is the French Connection from PQ, the Ontario bunch, the Far Easter's from New Brunswick and "the Rock", and the BC Vancouver Cannuck fans when we're around in the winter.   Apparently, although we've never experienced it, the ocean here in June, July and August is as beautiful as the Caribbean, and the temperatures are the highest (year round most of the time) in our area of the country.

Progreso is an adorable little fishing village situated on the Gulf of Mexico with a population of about 20,000. There are wonderful fresh fruit, vegetable and all types of meat markets around, and tiendas (little stores) for pretty much anything you can think of!

With us building our new house, we will be leaving the development, but we'll only be 5 blocks away as we have very definitely loved both the condo and the complex immensely for the past 4 years!

If you're looking for a wonderful way to get away for the winter, in a safe, fun and very inexpensive place, come visit us in Progreso and find out what we're talking about.

 Our living room with patio doors - love the bright colours!

 Living room from the kitchen

 Kitchen with aquarium wall

The writing on the picture is "Living our Dream" 

 Master Bedroom with views to the ocean and sliding patio doors

 Two enormous screens on each patio door give you the feeling of sleeping outdoors to the sound of the waves

 Spare bedroom

 Views of and from the balcony

Hugs from Mexico. :-)

Updates on the new house

Things are coming together and the backyard is almost done.  It's hard to believe it's been just 2 weeks since the work began!  So much has changed already.  From a backyard of sand and a swimming pool, to garden areas, concrete walkway, step into pool, rounded staircases, finished and raised back walls, and now on to the front yard.

They have worked hard, and it's now 40 degrees outside in the sun, so we're hiding in the shade while our workers, more accustomed to the heat, carry on.

You would not believe how much they can create with so few tools.   At the end of the day, when all the tools are gathered up and placed back in the house for safekeeping, there is a wheel barrow with a few shovels in it, and a 5 gallon pail for the rest. 

Rounded corners on the gardens and steps are created by using plumbing tubes cut in half lengthwise and attached to wooden planks to get just the right height.  All the sand and gravel that is mixed with the concrete and cal is carried in 5 gallon buckets and mixed on the pavement that already exists.  The wheelbarrow is actually used very rarely, because the 5 gallon pails are much quicker to lift and for them lighter than toting a wheelbarrow full of cement, especially in light of the fact that carting material between front and back yards would be impossible as the walkway is too narrow.

 Us in our new backyard!

 The concrete colours are starting to merge better

 The framework for the backyard bathroom

 Completed garden spot - some of my poor plants are here now, awaiting resurrection!  They've been suffering from all the dust and sand that's been floating around.  Hopefully they'll make it.

The forms they use to create the rounded edged planters and stairs - see the plastic tubing buried under the cement pour?

Alfonsito turns 14!

A new first for Vic and I.  We were invited to our neighbour's son's 14th Birthday party!

Alfonso, Lily and their son Alfonsito (meaning little Alfonso - very common in Mexico to name your first borns after the parent of the same sex), have been our neighbours in the casita behind Neek Kaan complex for as long as we've stayed here.  Apparently though they've been here for 14 years!

We first met them through their music - they enjoy playing some lovely Mexican music in their yard on the warm winter evenings, and we enjoy listening to it!  Some people might be offended with their neighbours' loud music, but this is Mexico, and a party (or fiesta), large or small is always extremely important with family.  At least it's not the loud thump thump thump of the discoteques, which we hear can be quite annoying during the Holy Weeks and summertime.  We've yet to experience anything too terribly annoying, and generally just enjoy it!

One early morning as Vic and I were heading out for our run, Alfonsito approached us on his way to school (about 6:45).  He wanted to invite Vic and I to his birthday party.

We queried his Mom and Dad on what to buy for a 14 year old?  Fortunately, they gave us some good hints and we had fun doing a little shopping.

We were welcomed by Alfonsito and the whole family, as well as about a dozen or so teens, and made to feel quite at home.  We had typical Mexican snacks (botanas), and enjoyed meeting many of his aunties and his grandma.

Lots of fun pictures, which you can see below.

One interesting event that occured due to this party was trying to locate wrapping paper.  We asked at one of the local tiendas (small corner stores), who directed us to what we had thought, for all these years, to be a soft drink outlet, which turned about to be a small paper store, about 1 block from our new house.  The "shed" that houses this tienda, is about a 10' x 10' red Coca Cola hut, but his selection was perfect for us.  2 sheets of wrapping paper, a bow, and 2 caramels, cost us a grand total of 10 pesos!   (about 80cents)  And so conveniently located.  You never know what you're going to learn every day here.  There's always something new.

Hugs from Mexico!

 Alfonso, Lily and Alfonsito (the proud parents)

 Vic and I in our birthday attire!

 Class mates

 The Birthday boy with his water balloon(it was his pregnant belly a minute ago)

The birthday boy's little cousin

Backyard starting to come together

A few stressful points this week, with cements being several shades different, and other concrete color things, but Juan did his best to make me happy by scraping walls, and redoing cement coats on some of the planters.  We're almost there now.

Being as how they were almost finished on Saturday (3 days ahead of schedule), we decided to proceed with 3 extra days work.  This despite Vic wanting to stop the insanity :-)  It does make life hectic with several trips back and forth on our bikes every day to see how things are going. 

Each visit generally lasts a couple of hours, by which time, we're cooking, so we can only imagine how hot all the guys are.  But they carry on!

On Friday afternoon we had a huge rain storm, such that us and several of the workers had to wait it out at the house at the end of the day.  We saw that most of the drains that had been created actually worked very well, and the flower gardens would be watered.  Unfortunately, we also saw that the patio area by the back door had a large swimming hole area in it, so we had to have the guys redo the one area we thought was okay!  Arghhh!  At this point, once again, the colours do not match at all, so they're working on that as I type!

Here are some more updated pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Hugs from Mexico. :-)

 New step around the pool and if you look closely you'll see our lovely new talavera tile inlaid.  Talavera is the original handpainted tiles of Mexico, and there are many many styles to choose from.  Tough decision to make!

Me by the new step into the pool, with the ledge behind all filled in for plants this Fall.  You can also see the beginnings of the bathroom in the corner behind me. 

 The tile is now into the steps, and the large planter completed.

 The new bodega for the pump and hydraulic system - doors on order, should be here Tuesday.

 Juan Carlos by my first garden spot!  Love the bench style fence around it!

 The mess that was the puddled area after they've started to pick it all out in order to pour new cement.

 Newly poured back patio area. (WRONG COLOUR!)

 

Below is the second planter, showing a good view of our talavera of choice, and a Loonie planted in the middle!  :-)  We are still Canadian first and foremost. 

Necessary Therapy

Construction can be very stressful.  Some people go for retail therapy, some for mind therapy, we open the toolbox and take out "Sachi Therapy".

Sachi (properly spelled in Nahuatl - a native Mexican dialect -  Xochitl), is a hilarious, fun loving single lady here in Progreso who we are lucky enough to call our friend.

Sachi's Spa is a business of her own where she provides many forms of massage and relaxation therapy for amazing prices.  A 45 minute leg and feet massage will cost you $150 (pesos), so about $12 Canadian, as will an upper back and neck massage.  A full body massage for 1 hour is $250 (pesos), but if you really want to spoil yourself, and have a lot of time on your hands, have a double whammy of both the upper and lower body massages, hence for one and a half hours, for just $300!  You'll be mush in the end!

Sachi comes to you, with her massage bed and all the creams, etc she needs to spoil and relax you, both body and mind!  Call her at (969) 934 0101 or (999) 215 5127.

 

Hugs from Mexico :-)

Getting Closer to Completion of Spring 2013 Project

Our spring project is almost complete.  You'll see from the pictures below that the backyard is partly concreted, the walls are almost finished, the flower beds are well under way, the bathroom floor is poured, the cistern is filling, and the plumbing and wiring are almost complete! 

 The first of the concrete pours

 Manuel was naughty and so is in the garden hole!

 Jose our plumber as he makes sure his crew is on task!  Juan Carlos is on the scaffolding installing our high tech security system (remember the bucket of broken bottles?)

 Juan our albanil - generally the chief cook and bottle washer (okay, maybe breaker and installer)

Really, he's the concrete guy and boss of the rest of the crew.

 Eduardo on what will be our rounded staircase from the Master bedroom - window/patio door

 Another naughty boy in my new flower garden to be! 

 

Below - the backyard concrete pour is almost done!

We now have our brand new Temporary Residents Visas for Mexico!

Well, fellow British Columbians, we've heard from CARP (Canadian Association for Retirees and Pensioners) and the Snowbird Association that we can now be out of country for as much as 7 months in a calendar year!  This came into place on March 14, 2013 when we caught up with the Ontario snowbirds!

For those of you yet to experience the new Mexico Visa application process, things changed drastically in November of 2012.

With me retiring in October 2012 we decided it was time to apply for our Visas, having never had an FM2 or FM3, which were Mexico's previous temporary resident visas.

First off, the temporary visa allows you to be in Mexico for periods longer than 6 months.  The tourist visa you complete on the plane allows up to 6 months. The most important feature for Vic and I was that this will allow us to someday purchase and own a car here in Mexico, where previously we have not been able to.

Here is our experience with the process.

If you don't currently hold an FM2 or FM3 for the country of Mexico, you must now begin the application process in Canada, at your most convenient (not always) Mexican Consulate.  For us, this was downtown Calgary, on 4th St.  We could have likely done the mailing method with them for the initial presentation of our documents, but we chose to do everything in person.  You can find more information on the Visas and Services for foreigners link on the website below:  http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/canada_eng/

Yes, you will need the mandatory photos, proof of income, current Canadian passport, and all the relevant photocopies as advised on the website but unless you're going the mail in method, just complete the application form at the Consulate.  No payment is required at this time.

Then you will have to wait for the phone call or email saying you're documentation has been accepted by the Consulate in Canada.  They will call you in for an interview, which you must attend in person, as they will be taking your fingerprints,  currently $36 Canadian (cash with the correct change) per person to obtain a very fancy and ornate stamp laminated into your passport.

Processing time from our experience was 3 to 4 weeks. 

When you enter Mexico, it is essential that you mention to the Customs officer at whatever entry point you choose, that you have a Visa, and they will appropriately stamp your passport.  We would suggest you specifically show them the page with the laminated Visa.  Your arrival into Mexico starts the clock ticking, and you must now get to an INAM (Immigration office) in Mexico within 30 days to begin the final process of your application.  This final process will take several visits to the INAM office, and will encompass likely 6 or so weeks.  This must be completed before you leave, or you may have to recommence the process in Canada, so be sure to give yourself enough time.

Here in Progreso we have an amazingly efficient and helpful multilingual staff at the INAM office (which is located on Calle 80 just south of the main square and large water tower that is where the SMAPAP office is (water services) located.  These ladies seem to have all the answers and were a wealth of information.

We suggest getting there at 9am, as you'll need to sign in and wait your turn in line.  Having arrived early each time, we never had to wait more than about 20 or 30 minutes.

Our first visit was when we had to choose whether we wanted to take out a 1 to 4 year term for our temporary resident visa.  Once that decision is made, they take your FMT card away.  That is the one you will have completed on the plane and showed to customs on the way in.  They will replace it with a sheet of paper with important information that you must check for on the internet using the special codes you are given to determine when the second last step of your application is approved.  When you go to the website and the bottom line reads "present yourself to the INAM office" you're well on your way! 

While you're waiting for the approval,  have your photos taken according to the instructions you were provided by the INAM office.  There are several places here in Progreso where you can get your pictures taken, and you can even smile here in Mexico for your Visa photos. :-)  We used the photo studio on calle 29 just east of 82 on the north side of the street.  The cost was only about $60 (pesos) for both of us, and the photos were ready the next morning.  Quick and painless (unless you're like me and totally unphotogenic - ha!)

When you receive the email notification, head back to the office with your passport and paper in hand.  We mistakenly thought we were done at this point, but no!  Now you will be given the form to take to a local bank to pay the fees for your new Visa, based upon the length of time you've chosen. The one year period we chose cost us each $3,060 (pesos).  Get a receipt at the bank (they'll need your cash and your passports), and establish your next appointment for sometime in the next day or two back at the INAM office. 

At that next appointment, take your receipt and photos back to the INAM office.  You will now be fingerprinted (again), asked a few other miscellaneous questions, and asked to provide your photos.  These will now be sent away to Mexico City for final approval.  Don't worry, your passport will never be sent away.  We were told at this point that we would be emailed within 10 days to advise us that our cards were ready!  We were pleasantly surprised when we received the email just 3 days later!  We think this was now our fifth trip to the office!  We're on a first name basis!  And we are official - yeah!

For those of you who have your FM3's, our understanding is that you need to renew your visa before you leave, and before your expiry date, in order to not be fined or lose your accumulated years of residence towards your Permanent Visa.  It is now the case that once you have had that FM3 for a full 4 years without letting it lapse, it will automatically be rolled over to a Permanent Resident Visa, provided you've paid your funds.

If you wish to accelerate the process of going from Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident, you will be required to provide proof of income of a minimum monthly amount the equivalent of $32,000 pesos per person (by providing 6 months worth of bank account statements).  At this time that is the equivalent of about $2,500 Canadian each.  You can choose to make this application as soon as you begin your Visa process if you have met the income criteria, and provided the necessary documentation.  

Or should you wish to remain with the Temporary Resident Visa, you may choose to renew and pay annually, or pay all at once for the 4 years of Temporary Resident Visa.  Prepaying will save you countless trips to the INAM office, and you will receive a discount on the total renewal amount.

The advantage to having the Permanent Resident Visa is that you no longer have to make annual reapplication and payments, but there will be a one time fee of about $3,800 (pesos) as well as a $1,000 (pesos) administration fee.  We understand that this will create problems for any foreigners who currently have a foreign plated vehicle in the country, but if you choose to buy a local vehicle, you're okay!

One other thing to note is that, to our understanding at this time, as a Permanent Resident you must not be out of Mexico for more than 2 years at a time.

We're not lawyers, just telling you our experiences in the hopes that it will help you with your process.  In an ideal world having your Visa expire in the middle of your time in Mexico is perfect in that it gives you lots of time to renew it.

Happy Paperworking!

Hugs from Mexico.