Let there be light!

One year ago we moved down here to Mazatlan and I insisted on bringing down 10 of our metal, silver solar lights. Hub repeatedly reminded me as I was packing them in our suitcases that they would rust...but come on, you don’t have to pay for the hydro, and surely he could understand that!

Slowly I would move some of his stuff to another box and packed each light carefully into the suitcases. Course now that we’ve been down here a while you can find solar lights everywhere, but that wasn’t the point...I had them...they worked...I wanted them!

You see, for years I have noticed that Hub doesn’t like to spend  money. I’ve called it cheap over the years and of course his mother, God rest her soul, always made a point of correcting me repeatedly,“He’s not cheap, he’s thrifty!”  Well, I guess it’s all in the eyes of the beholder, but I’d hear Hub over and over again... “Do you really need all these lights on?”

'Only if I want to see.’

He then throws up his hands in the air for dramatic  effect...“You know we’re not made of money!...OMG 100 watt bulbs, are you crazy???”

You see hydro and the problem of how to cut the ever growing costs has been Hubs quest for years, and as he goes from room to room his personal mantra has been heard over and over again... “turn out the lights...you forgot to turn off the lights again...HELLOOOO!”

Upon moving into our casa, I discovered a few of those old, black, plastic ones that glow orange. I kept those too.  After all, just slap in a few new batteries...use the sun and voila...no cost lighting!! Even Hub couldn’t argue with that!

Then I discovered Home Depot! For under 15 Canadian dollars I could get small white solar lights. Ok, I have to admit I didn’t stop there. I bought 4 one week...four the next week...and 4 more this week.

But I don’t care. This place is gonna shine and without hydro!

Yes, it does cost a few bucks to purchase the lights but we’re talking solar! Infact, this week I’m going to pot them in cement to anchor them down on the roof, so they won’t blow over. That means I don’t have to drill them into the walls, which should keep Hub happy. (Seems he’s not particularly fond of me using his precious tools.)

After a few days of full sun the lights are up and look fabulous and I found Hub relaxing on the rooftop deck in the early evening. He’s now taken to wearing his sunglasses at night to make a point.

I stand back and admire my handy work that evening as I lean against the wall... ‘See! Told you they’d work.’

“uh huh.”

‘and they look great up here if I do say so myself!’

I notice him leaning back in the lounge chair, waving. ‘What are you doing?’

 “Waving at the space station.  Seems they want you to turn down the lights too!”

Turning on my heels I head back downstairs... ‘It’s nice that you have new friends.’

Just a couple of thoughts from 2 Canadians living and loving it in Mazatlan!
Linda and Hub.

Paying Bills

In Ontario Canada you don’t really need to know the exact day a particular bill is due. It’s always been 'idiot proof.' You’re billed every month and between the mail system and internet billing you’re assured that your monthly bills will always be received on time. And, if by chance you miss paying them, you know you’ll be charged late fees on your next billing statement, so it all works out.

Now in Mazatlan it’s a little different...and the common phrase ‘manana’ is heard everywhere...roughly translated, it means perhaps tomorrow... possibly later but definitely not at the moment.


But there’s one thing our Mexican hosts are very serious about and that’s paying your utility bills!

Now, let me say not everyone pays them on time, but the companies here have discovered a way that encourages you to pay ontime...a way that is very efficient, cost effective and it works.

Say your phone bill is due on Monday and you’ve finally got the hang of this ‘manana’ thing, and you figure Tuesday is just as good...look out!  

Taxes can be paid years late (as in Canada)...but here they have come up with a solution should you be just one day late!


They don't chase you around trying to get their money...they don't listen patiently for the reason the bill never got paid...and they don't treat you like a child who doesn't understand responsibility.

They simply CUT YOU OFF!! That’s right...no ifs, ands or buts...you’re cut off!!

You also have a pretty good idea that you've been cut off when you try dialling out and you get a lovely automated voice speaking to you in Spanish. What she said, you don’t know, so you hang up and try later. After a few days of no incoming or outgoing calls it’s a pretty sure sign you need to get down to the phone company, pay the bill and usually within 24 hours you’re all hooked up again.

Yesterday I looked over the balcony and saw Hub watching a very old cockroach make its way across the patio.

“Hey, bug boy...did you get any phone calls today?”

Hub doesn't even look up from his animal surveillance...‘Nope, why?’

“I just tried to call out and I got the voice telling me something in Spanish.”

‘Did you pay the phone bill?’

Muttering to myself I head down and check the calendar. “Did I pay the phone bill? Geeez what do I look like, accounts payable?”

Now, wondering if you paid a bill might seem silly since we only get three bills a month in Maz....water...hydro...and phone. So what’s the problem? There's only three.

Well the problem is you have to find the damn paperwork first. You see our letter carriers, from the company and the city, have their own unique way of delivering the mail.

Letters can be thrown under the door of your house...under your garage door...stuck in your window frame...in fact anywhere on or around your property is acceptable. So the question really should be... ‘Did I FIND the bill!’

Venturing out and checking the usual spots, I now discover it in our palm tree in the courtyard.

Mental note.... ‘check all plants, in future for bills.’

Ripping it open and grabbing my purse I yell out to Hub...“Wanna make a trip down to the phone company with me today? Maybe even meet the voice?”

‘Naaaa...I got something things to do this afternoon. But thanks for asking.’

Just a few thoughts from 2 Canadians living and loving it in Mazatlan!

Linda and Hub.