This Is Mexico: Tales of Culture and Other Complications

Author Merchasin and her husband chose San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, as their new home while eating in a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia. This tale opens Merchasin's travelog, a story of a semiretired lawyer who heads to Mexico for a different kind of life. Like most books of this type, there are, of course, the stories of culture shock and language barriers. The author also deals with social issues such as health care and poverty with a deft hand, showing differences without insult. It's impossible, the author suggests, not to be a bit wowed by the low cost of a trip to the ER, but that can be countered by the difficulties of finding a good plumber. The book suffers perhaps from being the life of a somewhat average person, however. There are no great ups or downs; stories are funny but nothing laugh-out-loud; there are no real tragedies. However, Merchasin is able to convey a real sense of love for her adopted home.