This
is Dr Simi, you will see him at all the "Similares" chemists. At most of
these shops you can also see a doctor for about 20 pesos- very cheap.Hot tips on living in Mexico go back
Always a good idea to keep a barrel of water on the terrace during the summer. In the richer parts of town you are unlucky to be without water for more than 12 hours, but our cleaner, in a dodgier suburb, was without water for an entire week.
Mexicans get paid on the 15th and at the end of every month. When these days fall on a Friday you can expect traffic, and busy restaurants. If you need to go to the bank, payday will mean a queue twice as long.
This
is Dr Simi, you will see him at all the "Similares" chemists. At most of
these shops you can also see a doctor for about 20 pesos- very cheap.
If you need to phone the bank, or any other business, for information, it is worth calling several times. Eventually you will get an idea of what the correct answer is. I called three times before I got someone who would tell me my "clave".
Don't expect taxi drivers to know where they are going. There is no such thing as the "knowledge", I have never seen a cab with a map in it and if you are heading to an unknown part of town you may never arrive. We actually used to copy out part of the street map and take it in the car.
When driving around Mexico on almost any road keep your eyes open for "topes" (speed bumps). Signs and speed limits don't slow Mexican drivers down - the only way to do it is to put a lump of concrete in the road. Often they completely disguise them to cause maximum damage to your car.
Vegetarians; be very careful when eating cheaply. Mexicans mostly think chicken is acceptable, and my friend was served "tacos de sesos". She had eaten a fair bit before she realised "sesos" means brains, not some exotic vegetable.
Men love to wave and whistle and shout on the street. Any time you try to park, or unpark, someone will appear to help. It's a macho "we know more about driving than you women" thing i guess. Although if they have a red cloth that means they expect a tip.
September 16th is Independence Day and big holiday time in Mexico. You see flags and decorations everywhere and even the quiet neighbourhoods will have a lively party in the park. In all the Zócalo's you will find thousands of people watching the "grito" and if you want to buy an enormous sombrero that says "viva mexico", this is the time of year to find one.
You can buy drugs that are normally prescription only in any pharmacy in Mexico. This includes the contraceptive pill, and apparently about one in ten will sell you valium. The problem is they don't tell you the doseage.
It is cheap and easy to find a cleaner in the city, although a recommendation may help you find someone trustworthy. And with the number of people looking for work you are not being lazy, think of it as helping someone.
Earthquakes are less likely in the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood, "the rios", than in the more expensive Condesa area
Oh, and if you do get a cleaner, they expect to be paid during the holidays. They have been known to quit over this matter.
Another "apparently"... It has been said that airline tickets are cheaper on Tuesdays. I don't think you get much choice, but if you fancy a beach weekend Tuesday is your day