I love living here! I love the culture, the architecture, the colors, the food, the vegetation, the Sea of Cortez acting as my play ground. Then, there are the residents, the wonderful, generous, contented people that live here. These folks just want you to be happy, they want you to feel the same warmth as they do… the contentment of a slow-paced life style; the music, the dancing, singing. And… they have a way of doing it.

In 2006, I found my dream villa here in Mazatlán. I found it and promptly left to go back north. During the next month, my stomach was tied in knots. I made the offer, and as luck would have it… my timing was good. My offer was accepted! The company I was working with wanted a $5,000 USD earnest money to hold the villa for me. No problem.

I went to my bank and had a cashier’s check sent to their Mexico City office. I waited for a couple of days before emailing the lady in Mazatlán I had been assigned to. “Did you get my money?” I asked. “I sent the money, but can’t sleep until I hear that you got it.”

“Ah, no problem, Cynthia. I’m sure it will arrive soon.”

I thanked her, and proceeded to lose more sleep. Did you know that a cashier’s check is like cash? If it gets lost, you are out the amount of the check?

After a week, I began to send a daily email. “Did you get my check?”

Soon, the week turned into three weeks, when finally, I received the response I needed so that I could catch up on my much needed sleep. “Yes, we have received it, everything is good.”

After another month, I received notice that it was time to finalize the sale. In return, they would give me the keys to my new life. I remember throwing my arms around my chest, branding myself with an X… so dramatic.

I booked my flight, and within a week, I was in my new home town, my beloved Mazatlán. I remember running up the stairs to the office where I would meet the distinguished Senior who would give me the keys I had been fantasizing about for weeks.

Then it happened.

The illustrious Senior bent over his desk, and asked with a warm smile, “We are $5,000 short.”

This is when I froze in my seat. Finally, I straightened my back, and croaked the response, “I sent that to you weeks ago.” I fumbled with my papers, then smiled, letting out a sigh a relief that could be heard throughout the office. “Here,” I handed him the email saying they had received my money.

The Senior picked up his phone and called the contact who had sent me the email. She arrived in record time, and standing over me, responded to his questioning, “Senior, I only sent her this email because she was unhappy. I told her what she wanted to hear so she could be happy.”

I was a neurotic mess for a few days, but alas, all turned out fine. Living in a new culture takes some time to learn. Really? I look back and smile with such adornment. She told me what I wanted to hear… she wanted me to be happy again… she was a saint. Yes, I live in a new culture, and I wouldn't trade in my life for any other.
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Please visit my FB page, and share each week's blog if you enjoy the readings.
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Also enjoy my feature in Mazatlán's monthly paper, the Pacific Pearl... http://www.pacificpearl.com/pdf/pacific-pearl/low-res.pdf
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You can read all about drama in my novels. Check them out at www.cmichaelsbooks.com, author of Twisted Thrillers.
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