el crispito

This is a real drag because the requirements for that type of visa is much more stringent and not something we can come up with easily. While Shawn would get one if he ends up getting this job he wants with Hewlett-Packard in Guadalajara, it's much more difficult for me since I don't have obvious and easily demonstrated income. In any case, it's not something that we're going to be able to get before we go.

We read up on the gritty details of what we need and decided that we should consult with a lawyer about it. I sent an email, but so far today there has been no response. I think I may whip up a brief letter and FedEx it to her, just to cover all the bases. Hopefully she will be able to suggest some alternatives for us; I'm starting to fear that we'll be living in an apartment with no electricity, gas or water.

On the positive side, the same online acquaintance gave me a pointer for finding apartments online in advance. El Informador has classified ads online that you can access by clicking on "Alquileres Departamentos." This has been very encouraging, as they list two bedroom apartments for $400-$550 USD and entire condominiums for only $600 USD per month in the section of town we like. Of course, we won't do any actual apartment hunting until we arrive, but it's reassuring to be able to look at the listings and see that they're available and cheap.

But for now, it's back to packing. Our train pulls out on 3 November, and we've got to be all boxed up and stored away in Colorado before then.