Sometimes we can be responsible - really

Our friend Becky stopped by this AM and said that she was working on her list of things to do. Of course, this is the list she had written out a month ago when she first arrived. Amazing how things just don’t get done. She said that one of things that she had done today was to pay her real estate taxes and garbage for the year. Now, we were really impressed by her promptness because taxes are due at the beginning of December. If they are paid by the 15th, a discount is given. So, we took her lead and got our pesos out of the safe. Peggy volunteered to go to the Palacio Municipal (government building) and stand in line, as she does better with lines and confusion than Ed does. And, there was disorganization and confusion. You take a number upon arrival and you’re supposed to know where to go next. Of course, no one does and no one is keeping track of the numbers. Finally a Mexican fellow came in, took charge and very politely but forcefully suggested that the officials get it together and organize things. Well, things happened! An employee took last years’ information from people and then printed out a current bill. Peggy then proceeded to the cashier. Unfortunately she was supposed to get a bill for garbage service from another area before cashing out. She went to the “garbage” person, who was ignoring everyone off in a little obscure corner. Finally Peggy got both bills and proceeded to the caja (cashier). All of this took maybe an hour. Taxes and fees for garbage didn’t change from last year, but the early payment discounts were less. So, the result was that our taxes went up- about $7 USD a year. And garbage went up from $1.94 a month to $2.00. Ah, the cost of living in paradise! Now Peggy's hoping that her accomplishment takes care of her responsiblilites for a while.