Customer Reviews

Guanajuato, Mexico: Your Expat, Study Abroad, and Vacation Survival Manual in the Land of Frogs

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It is rare to see a book prefaced with a disclaimer (but not an apology) for its misleading subtitle. The authors should have extended the disclaimer to the very title of the book. They may have written it in Guanajuato, but the city itself isn't the main theme of the book. A more appropriate title might have been "Ignorant Gringos" or "Learn Spanish!"

This book is about the authors' dismay at the reluctance of Americans living in Mexico to learn Spanish and their tendency to live together in colonies. I agree with the authors criticism, but this was supposed to be a book about Guanajuato. Instead, over and over again, we get criticisim of fellow expatriates that live in what they describe as the "gringo-infested" cites of Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, or (God forbid) San Miguel de Allende.

There is advice that could apply to living anywhere in Mexico. But detailed information that would serve a newcomer to the city of Guanajuato is limited.

You will be ambushed in nearly every chapter by an attack on gringos who fail to learn Spanish.

You began to wonder if the point it isn't selling books on learning Spanish. In one chapter, Mr. Bower laments that you can't get your hands on his latest learning Spanish book, because he can't find a publisher. Fine and good, but we paid good money for what we thought was going to provide insight about living in Guanajuato.

Never do we get a well organized outline about living there. Most of the information could describe any city in Mexico. The limited city-specific information does not warrants its title. There is not even a map of the city in the book.

Where should we live, for instance? None of the sectors of the city are identified or ranked in terms of desirability, except to note two that should be avoided and the joy that there is no American sector. We do get a crybaby account of noise, buses and rental practices in Guanajuato, but this could apply to anywhere in Mexico.

You would do better buying Don Adam's "Head for Mexico" or Mike Nelson's "Live Better South of the Border in Mexico" if you want a Mexico guide. These authors are experienced Mexico hands.

In spite of its shortcomings, I'm glad I bought this book, I enjoyed much of it and I learned quite a bit. His writing style and stories are charming and informative. He certainly gets his point across with evocative examples like the water venders screaming "Agua...agua...agua" and you run naked from the shower screaming "A-G-U-A!" or risk death by dehydration because who knows when you will, if ever, hear the call again.

The book is really a collection of essays and emails published online and elsewhere and gathered together with little apparent effort to integrate it into a satisfying whole. The two most frustrating things were the very frequent repetition and harping on the author's favorite themes scattered throughout the book, and the lack of real detail about Guanajuato itself.

First, I found myself reading the same content over and over, and then skimming and skipping, hoping I wasn't missing some important new point or information about the topic in its next incarnation. His favorite themes are the Ugly Americans with their ignorance and prejudice, who congregate in expatriate enclaves in major tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende, never learn the language and both miss out on and ruin the authentic Mexican experience. This is a valuable insight in how NOT to approach Guanajuato. So make your case, develop it well once and be done with it. It becomes tiresome harping the tenth time around, and doesn't help learn about Guanajuato which is why I bought the book. Other favorite themes are the problem of cars and parking in Guanajuato, the value/problems of learning/not learning Spanish, and selling his new book on learning language. Again, these topics are valuable the first time around. Modern word processors make it easy to bring together the same topics and ideas. Do readers a big favor and pick the best arguments and stories for each topic and then move on to new material. I think editing out half or even two-thirds of the book would only increase its usefulness and readers enjoyment. How about a revised edition?

Second, I was disappointed to not find more detail about Guanajuato. It seemed more words were dedicated to selling his next book about learning language than Guanajuato per se. I found more material about Guanajuato on several websites than this entire book. He offers a disclaimer right at the beginning that there is no information about "studying abroad in Guanajuato as the title of the book might imply" (as the title states, in my reading of it). Much of the book offers generalities (helpful, yes) that seem to apply to much of Mexico. I would love to have read more about the author's experience of the city itself. Take us on some of your "enormous walks from our home". Introduce us to some of your friends, your favorite restaurants; take us along your favorite streets. Invite us to sit with you for those "long hours in the vast plazas...for the soul-satisfying pleasure of doing nothing at all." Where is Guanajuato? Take us there.

This book may help North Americans considering a move to the charming Mexican town of Guanajuato, and to the extent that this book alerts readers to common errors of expatriation to Mexico, especially the routine disregard of local culture, Bower's caveats provide a welcome service. But I disagree with his characterization of gringoes as "fakepats" essentially because they make little effort to learn the language. If this were a valid condemnation, how would Gertrude Stein, for heaven's sake, have managed so long, and so well, in France? Stein famously learned only just enough French to get by, though she lived a very illustrious life in that sensitive country for half a century. Moreover, Bower's survey fails to note that Mexico City, Cuernavaca and, especially, Guadalajara/Lake Chapala, harbor thousands of North American expats, asserting wrongly that Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel are their chief gathering spots.

If you're seriously considering a move to Mexico, the author offers the most realistic look at the real Mexico that I've ever found. Having traveled to Guanajuato many times as my family and I prepare for a move there, this book paints a vivid picture of the city's many charms, and also at its few "warts."

The author is right on the mark too in his assessment of the wonderful people of Guanajuato.

My only worry is that the book will spark too much interest in this enchanting city and turn it into the next San Miguel de Allende or Puerto Vallarta, which often seem like American colonies rather than genuine Mexico.

All in all, this book is highly recommended if you want the true scoop on everyday life in traditional Mexico.

There are very few books about Guanajuato, and tragically few about moving there. I was so excited to find one and correspondingly disappointed when I found that this was not a book about Guanajuato, but rather a collection of not particularly well-connected articles railing about "gringos" who won't learn Spanish and indictments of the greedy-yet-blameless Mexicans who prey on them. I was really hoping to get good info on where to live and what to expect. All in all, I was disappointed about the continuous ranting, discouraged by the lack of clear information, and disturbed by some insulting comments about both Americans and Mexicans.

My main complaint is really about the main substance of the book. The author goes on and on about how gringos have ruined other towns. He goes on and on and on about how they don't learn Spanish and how they say obnoxious things. Oh, and cars. He really doesn't like people who drive cars in Guanajuato. He could have just said it once or maybe even twice and been done with it, but no, he rants about it endlessly. Okay, not endlessly, but I would be surprised if less than 25% of the book weren't on these topics. I imagine that "how the gringos have overrun such and such city" is hip conversation topic in expat circles. It must be a great way to separate yourself from the obnoxious tourists and insipid winter-birds, but that's not what I signed up for.

I signed up for information, but this book is all rant and no substance. There are a few nuggets that slip through the unfocused writing, but for the most part it contains far too much editorial and far too little actual information. Perhaps you actually care about this guy's opinion and really care what he has to say about but I was hoping for a "survival manual". Something that would help me land on my feet in a foreign city. I suspect that this is all because it wasn't written as a book. He seems to just have cobbled together articles previously published and never really even seems to have read them as a whole. He repeats himself, sometimes word for word between chapters. There's an old saying that I just made up: "A man who has himself for an editor, has a fool for a client"

He has a conversational tone that grated on me, going from dismissive of Americans to equally dismissive of Mexicans, at times bordering on racist. I don't think it's intentional, I think that he is very much a lover of Mexico and Mexicans, but he has a way of talking about people and institutions that shows very little sensitivity or understanding. His rants on Mexican landlords, in particular, struck me as extremely troubling.

My advice: Buy a travel guide from a real travel publisher or do some google searching. While you are out in serach engine land, you can find plenty of articles by this author about living in Guanajuato. A cursory scan even found some of the articles contained in this book. There are probably others. If you like his style and his take on things, then have at it.

As someone who has visited Mexico several times as I struggle with my study of Spanish, and who is thinking of moving there, I found this book to be far superior to the general run of guides on the expatriate life or retiring in Mexico. Some of the others of this genre just lack the ring of authenticity, or seemed to be aimed at people with a lot of bucks who are headed for a gated community or an expensive house in Cabo San Lucas. But the Bowers' book has that ring of authenticity and is squarely aimed at the (for lack of a better cliche) "average Joe" who is looking for a life that is different and/or better and needs down-to-earth practical advice on how an American can make this transition.

To date myself, the Bowers' reporting reminds me of the usefulness of a Travel Forum I used to frequent on one of the pioneer online services, CompuServe, where I got the best travel ideas and advice ever from the many participants who gave their firsthand reports, and to whom you could pose the kinds of questions that you don't see answered in newspaper travel sections or guidebooks.

The Bowers live in Guanjauato which is not far from where I always visit, which is a too-Americanized well known town that they don't quite approve of, San Miguel de Allende. (And which also, because of the huge ex-pat community, far more expensive). But to each his own. While I don't have a lot in common with many of the ex-pats and retirees, having made a lot of friends in San Miguel, I am comfortable there.

I should add that as I contemplate in the back of my mind moving there, I scanned some of the key advice chapters into my computer (such as the most painless way to get a resident's visa) and sent them to friends in San Miguel, who told me they were right on the money.

So, if this is the kind of information you are looking for, buy this book as well as the Bowers' book, "The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico."

When I read the autobiography of former Mexican president Vicente Fox who hails from Guanajuato State I became curious about the city of the same name. My research led me to this useful little book packed full of practical information about the charming, historic city of Guanajuato. The book is clearly written and my only criticism is the frequent repetition of information. It could use some fine tuning by a careful editor. I found it clear, honest, helpful and even inspiring. Muchas gracias Doug and Cindi Bower.

This book is really good at explaining life in Guanajuato. It tells what to expect if you want to shop, take public transportation, stay for awhile, eat, buy property, etc. The number one piece of advice offered is to LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH. The author recommends this town as a place to go if you want to experience authentic Mexican life and culture. It hasn't been taken over yet by americans. However, my neighbors across the street told me this week that there are more and more tourists visiting there and more americans buying property (the neighbors are from that area). I highly recommend that you read this book before you go!

If you're thinking about moving to Guanajuato then definitely read this book along with the Bower's other book, The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico: The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or just hanging out. It's easy to read, informative, and funny. I thought my wife was crazy when she was reading it and would just start laughing. After reading it myself I understand what the laughing was all about. If you're serious about moving to central Mexico read these books along with others which cover Mexico in general. It'd also be a good idea to spend at least a few weeks in the area you're planning to move to so that you can make sure you're really going to like it. Good luck and see you soon in GTO!

Another good book by Doug Bowers and his wife. If you are considering living in Guanajuato, Mexico all his books need read by you.