normal heights

After evaluating border traffic on an average day, it was decided that until we get sentry passes we should keep a place in the states for early morning meetings, or late nights when the drive would be a hassle. Financially it was doable, if we got a little place together. We had each already given notice to our landlord in a frenzy of excitement over the Mexico house. And so . . . we have rented a little granny flat in the neighborhood of Normal Heights. [I think Granny flats are a regional phenomenon- for those east coast readers, these are like in-law apartments but separate little cottages tucked in the rear of a property.]

For a stand-alone house, albeit a one bedroom, with off street parking, within walking distance to yoga, wine bar, music venue, restaurants, etc, minutes from the freeway to work, it is a good deal. The interior is newly redone, and still smelling of paint with lots of kitchen space, and a private patio. It’s all pretty great, with the exception of the neighbors.

I realized the perils of renting a place when the ad states ‘section 8 okay.’ But we needed a place quick, and including all of the things above and they would take the dog, so we went for it. Next to us is another little cottage/granny flat. Legally, according to the landlord, there is one woman and her daughter living there. This place is as small as our house, and there are at least four people coming and going regularly at all hours.

One of the men has taken two parking spots with broke-down cars, which are currently filled with old clothes and pieces to various electronic toys, and also has another one and a half with his built-by-hand monster truck. Yesterday morning, while in the bathroom, he jumpstarted this thing. The light bulbs shook in their sockets. Eventually he got the engine running and called to the girl inside. She came out, and climbed into the back. They drove off while she stood holding the roll bar. I can only assume he was taking her to school.

Another man has some kind of bicycle fixing business happening after hours in the driveway. He is friendlier than anyone else who emerges from this house. At the moment he is helping fix a car engine in the alley.

Last night I missed a blowout between the couple in the front house. I was, at least, spared that.

In all, once the rotten cars are removed, and we adjust to our surroundings, it won’t be a bad place to sleep, while we wait until the next drive south to our hacienda.

good byes to meade avenue

I cleaned out the cottage, and said my last goodbyes to Meade Avenue this afternoon. Someone else, new to san Diego, is anxiously waiting to move in.

Still it was sad to stand in the living room, now empty, and feel the finality of both my decision to leave Boston and my new decision to try living in Mexico.

and for those people who asked- we are keeping a little [read: less expensive]apartment for weekdays that we have to be here early, until we get the Sentri pass, or become expats altogether.

la frontera

I had a field trip concellation today, so I had the mornig free to make a trip down to hacienda del mar with chairs and a kitchen table and a few other boxes of art materials. I dutifully stopped at the border line to declare items. There were parking spaces and a cluster of uniforms at an outside desk. I walked up to declare my kitchen table. BNorder crossing and declaring household items for a new residence involves vocabulary I do not yet have. A woman handed me a blank sheet of paper and walked away. I held this paper in my hand for a moment and waited. Nothing.

I made a list. A stalky man with a hare lip and a courderoy border patrol shirt looked at the list and asked me how much everything was worth. Hmmm . . I did buy the furniture at thrift stores, and I can't really price a box of my sketches and journals . . so I hestitated.

Suddenly a yell from behind me, from the US side. And the hare-lipped border agent was off, speeding towards the border in his corduroy shirt faster than I thought he would be able to move. Someone next to me casualy explained, 'Someone ran across, to try to get to America. you know, an illegal.'

And so I was waved through without assigning any price to the objects in my car.

***

After assembling my table, setting up the assembled table and chairs with ridiculous concern regarding their position under the ceiling light, discovering that Tuesdays is trash day, having an apologetic encounter with the neighbor's contractor over using our driveway, and learning the work for locksmith[cerrajeria] whilst getting keys made, I was back in line to cross the other way,to get back to the US.

There was a some kind of big commotion ahead of me, and then two large truck pulled in front of my car, with teams of armed men hanging off the sides of them. The fuerzas especiales were on their way somehwere. It might take some getting used to, the amred men securing all over the place. It might also be the US at some point in the not distant future.

first night

Tonight we go down to our new place in Mexico with Alabama[the dog] and our air mattress, some surfboards and non-perishable food items for ur first night there. At the moment we do not have a fridge or stove. But assuredly all these comforts will be in place, including internet, cable, and furniture, before any of you arrive. I'm not sure how many people I know ever read this blog. I say this because no one other than my parents and I.Krepchin has responded to the whole moving to Mexico thing.

****

Trent and I have been in a state of excitement about the move over the past week, and I have noticed that the reactions we are receiving fall into the following two categories.

First- the 'wow, what an exciting adeventure . . .can I come down?' [Diane and Tom have already booked their flight in April]

Second-'isn't that going to be a terrible commute' preceeded by an akward wait for joke acknowledgement, or the eeew-mexico-is-dirty face.

Sometimes finding out where people stand on your life decisions makes for a clearer lens.

****

on the subject on lenes . . . I am looking into shooting destination weddings down there. Think of me, if you hear of anyone who is heading south.

nuestra casita

we found a better house. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, patio, driveway, new kitchen, etc.
see below:


the house


on my new street



the backyard


playing in the kitchen




the living room




Guests are welcome. We will be hosting many fiestas here, and there's room for you.
Come have fun with us!

steps not leaps

We've put a deposit on a three bedroom house with an ocean view in Mexico. It's cement-y and tile-y, and the made by hand feel of things makes this girl think of a summer house. The street isn't paved, but the yard is, and could likely fit a dozen cars and maybe even a small tractor. The living room windows open to the sounds, the smells and the air of the Pacific. There's a little kitchen that's waiting for it's appliances, and the trial runs of my new phase of Mexican cooking.
We will each have our own work/studio room, though these can always be used for overnight guests, should any of you want to venture down here.

Trent called me tonight to remind me how cool I was, and that I rocked. He read to me from Jospeh Campbell. I can't recall verbatim, but the essence is this:

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.


Here I take another step toward bliss.