Susan111

Hi again, Ken! Just felt to check in if you were still looking for help with housesitting in the coming weeks? Please let me know either way. Happy to discuss further Susan

Hi there! I volunteer for a wonderful US-based charitable nonprofit (501 c-3) called Chip the Monk Foundation, which produces enriching children’s books based on the wise characters Chip the Monk and the Harmony animals. 😃 Here is an excerpt from the Foundation’s mission statement: …“Chip and the Harmony Animals are a reassuring presence who teach children how to connect with their inner strength, even during upsetting and uncertain times. Our intention is simple…to put a book into the hands of children around the world, regardless of their circumstance. Being mindful that many children are unable to access Chip’s important message, we are asking for your support in helping us reach all who are in need of a guiding light.” Since this type of support requires a laptop computer, and at this time my MacBook is failing quickly—please let me know if you have a newer Mac you would enjoy donating. Should you decide to, we are also happy to offer in-kind charitable donation receipts. Thanks very much 💖 Susan ✨Website: Chipthemonk.com ✨Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/chipthemonk

Greetings! My name is Susan and I'm happy to offer you housesitting help in the area of Lakeside / Chapala / Ajijic, starting in September or October. I am originally from Canada with a background in counselling, and more recently have been working as a volunteer to distribute children's books. I LOVE a quiet life with opportunities to support, so feel available to help look after your pets, support with housekeeping, or look after your garden, as needed. My dates are flexible, so feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss more. Thanks so much

Hi everyone, We've been noticing our electricity fluctuating alot lately in Chapala, seeing lamps flickering mainly, and wonder of anyone else has noticed this Thanks!!

Hi there, I'm looking for a solid source of information on what is required by law for domestic workers in terms of what happens on federally mandated holidays. What I understand so far is they are entitled to have the day off and still receive regular pay on those holidays, plus if they do come in they are entitled to double pay. I would also love to find a list somewhere of which holidays fall under this law. If you are aware of anything to help get clear answers on these, that would be much appreciated, Thanks so much!

Thanks! Can you share more about what you mean by "You seem to have missed a deadline to renew in Mexico"? I was planning to fly to Tijanuara at expiring time (end of July), but after reviewing what the US customs had on their website, it looked like I couldn't enter the US unless it was for "essential travel". Since I would be just going into the US, turning around, and going to back Mexico, that didn't seem to qualify as essential travel.

Hi there, I have an expired INM card (Canadian passport) and am living in Chapala. I was going to renew it in July at the Tijajuana airport / US border, but understood it wasn't possible because only essential travel was permitted into the USA. Today I went into the Chapala immigration office, and was told the borders are all open and I should renew the expiry on the card when I'm able to. Given that the US/Mex border is still restricted to essential travel (according to this website: https://mx.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/) it appears like I shouldn't yet go to Tijajuana until the US/Mex border opens up to non-essential travel. Also, at one point I understood there was an option for anyone to go to the Guadalajara immigration office to file some paperwork to have the INM expiry renewed, but was told at the Chapala immigration office that this option is now no longer available unless you are over 60 and have a certain pension/income. Any suggestions you may have on how I should best handle this renewal, would be appreciated, With thanks!

Hi there, We are up in Chula Vista and wonder what the going hourly rate would be to hire a house cleaner up, for 10-11 hours per week. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear! With thanks, Susan

Thank you Sonia. Are you able to recommend the name of a broker who might know, let me know.

Hi everyone, I ordered some bottles of nasal spray shipped into Mexico, via Fedex, which was stopped at customs. The agent told me because they can't identify the contents, I needed to hire a customs broker to fill out an application to have the bottles cleared. If you have any experience with something like this, or could recommend a broker, I would love to here. Thank you so much, Susan

Hi there, I'm trying to find out if a shipment of nasal spray (with a medical ingredient in it Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride) from the US to Mexico would be cleared at customs, either through USPS or a courier. If you have had any experience please let me know, Thanks so much 🙂

Thank you! When you say Michoacon tech support, is that a person at the Ajijic office?

Hi Everyone, We have Ilox fiber optics set up in Chula Vista, but have been attempting to reach support for a couple reasons. First the upload and download speeds have been well below what the original contract was set out as (so tech support), plus we are requesting a credit on decreased service over a period of time. After attempted calls to the Ajijic office and Guadalajara office, nothing has really moved. If you have had any success or additional ideas that might work, I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks so much, Regards, Susan

Hi everyone 🙂 I heard there was a recent change to the quarantine restrictions in Chapala. So, am interested in finding any official or semi-official announcement that confirms this; namely that everyone including those 'high risk' are allowed to go out now (provided they wear a mask). If you read something similar, please let me know. Thanks so much! Susan

Thank you so much! This number is the Ajijic Telmex office direct line? When you say "I just set up another service in Chapala" - are you meaning that Telmex has opened a new office in Chapala?

Hi there, We cancelled our Telmex service in February, after moving over to Ilox, and normally used the Telmex Ajijic office when issues or questions arose. A bill just arrived from Telmex for that closed account that has an incorrect charge on it, and we are trying to reach them. We have tried online chat, and instructed to try the phone line. We have tried several phone numbers, but the calls drop after many attempts. When last there (last week) there was a sign that said the office was closed during quarantine. I would be interested to know if you may have heard any news about the Ajijic Telmex office re-opening, or any other successes reaching a Telmex agent? Grateful for any ideas you may have Susan

Hi there, I have read this over, and am unable to see anything about whether cleaning / gardening staff could return to work. If anyone sees a clear guideline in this or another report, please let me know! Also, there is no mention about whether people can go out again for reasons other than "essential". Is this something brought up in another report? Thanks so much.

Thanks so much SunFan By office I gather you mean the homeowners association, but let me know if you had something else in mind. When I read your message, I was interested in 'how' you were finally able to find the septic tank location. The guys are out digging right now, and so far haven't found it. We are searching for the blueprints, but they might not be helpful as you found. Any thoughts are welcome of course.

Hi everyone, We have a house in upper Chula Vista and are attempting to find its blueprints, because of a septic system issue on the property. I'm interested in knowing if you may be aware of ways blueprints for properties in this area can be found - for example, could the municipality keep copies of them, or something along that line. Any thoughts are welcome! FYI, we've already checked our local homeowner's association. Many thanks, Susan

Hi there, Thank you for this! I'm searching for a solid source of news (English) to provide any major updates about the Covid situation in the Chapala / Ajijic area. Major news to me is, for example, is the government changing or implementing any new measures the public needs to be aware of; any major changes in infrastructure, etc. Any thoughts on this are very welcome! Regards

Hi there, I am thinking of having an iPhone shipped from AT&T in the US to Ishop & Mail via the Lima Loop address in Laredo Texas. Of interest is if anyone has had any experience doing this, and shipping some kind of more 'expensive' equipment. Would love to hear your thoughts and any advice you might have! Regards, Susan

Hi there, I will be renewing vehicle registration for a friend this month in Chapala, however have heard conflicting information about what is required for this. What I understand is if I have the plate number, the vehicle owner's full name and DOB, that is all that is required to renew. I don't require to bring in past years receipts or copies of receipts for this process. Any thoughts to illuminate this would be appreciated! In gratitude, Susan

Hi there, There is a form at the Canada Consulate I need to fill out called the Form PPTC 028, Acknowledgement/Consent to provision of passport services for a minor child, which is done at the nearest consulate in Guadalajara. But I am interested to know whether Canada Consulate services are offered in the Chapala/Ajijic area similar to those offered in Guadalajara? If you have any knowledge of this topic, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

Hi there, I've been looking through posts on this site for info about changes to wage policies in Mexico, and see there's different or conflicting information. We have part time (a few hours per week) cleaning and gardening staff, who have worked for us over a year, and have been giving them an annual raise of 5 pesos per hour in December, plus an annual 2 weeks Christmas bonus / vacation pay before December 20th. I'm not clear however, what is legally required versus optional these days. If there's important legal requirements we should know about, for example, if the required increase in hourly pay has changed, or the Christmas bonus requirement (if there is one) has changed, I would appreciate your thoughts. Many thanks, Susan

Wonderful! So you were able to get a credit card with Intercam in Ijijic?