Absurd and Over-the-top

Well, I can't write a lot because then you wouldn't believe us when we say we're a bit busy with all this moving to Mexico business. I'll share this: When I asked Marc today whether or not he had posted his story about the customs brokers that many people end up having to hire - for $200 - he declared that it was all just too "absurd and over the top" to describe. Therefore, no post from Marc today.

So, I will tell you that the in-fact-very-nice-and-helpful customs broker lady in Laredo, Texas (we'll call her Brokerella) told us that it is possible that we won't need a broker (our load is relatively small). But we might. There is no cut and dried rule about what / who needs one and what / who doesn't. And, the customs broker on the US side of the line is only one-half of the equation. You have to hire another when you get to the other side of the line. And, they usually charge about $400. Dollars. So sayeth Brokerella. If I understand correctly, she did also volunteer to check out our stuff when we get to Laredo and to offer advice about whether or not we'll need a broker. We'll see. Economically, why would she think we don't need her service? However, I have, over the 11 month course of getting ourselves to CA and part way to Mexico, witnessed genuinely helpful people.

This would not include the people who wrote the ITESM (Monterrey Tech University) application for employment. They want to know not only what Marc's shoe size is, but mine as well. And, they want it translated, by an official translator, into Spanish ($35 a pop) - this part is totally true. Marc had to get his diploma translated, in addition to numerous other items. In fairness, I've seen the same bureaucratic morass descend upon University employees in the US. They hire you and then 15 committees have to decide what your title is. That kind of thing.

Marc has a saying when it comes to getting a bunch of stuff done - "the list is life". So back to it...