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Guanajuato, Mexico: Your Expat, Study Abroad, and Vacation Survival Manual in the Land of Frogs | 
 enlarge | Authors: Doug Bower, Cindi Bower
Publisher: Universal Publishers
Category: Book
Buy New: $25.95
New (17) from $25.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 760845
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 328
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 1581129289
Dewey Decimal Number: 917
EAN: 9781581129281
ASIN: 1581129289
Publication Date: May 30, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Living in the city of Guanajuato is nothing like living the Gringo Landias or Gringo Gulches of San Miguel de Allende or Puerto Vallarta. No information exists in book form to guide the potential expat to a new life in central Mexico. Expatriating to Guanajuato is different and unique. Unlike San Miguel de Allende or Puerto Vallarta, there is not a huge gringo community here that acts as a support buffer for "newbies". Nor is English as widely spoken as it is in other areas where expats live. Doug and Cindi Bower spell out the differences between living in Guanajuato and living in other areas where expats have traditionally congregated. They offer a survival manual for the potential expat.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
A Lovely New Home in Mexico May 4, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
 Guanajuato, Land of the Frogs May 4, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Another good book by Doug Bowers and his wife. If you are considering living in Guanajuato, Mexico all his books need read by you.
Great Info if you are thinking about going February 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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!
GIVE ME A BREAK, PLEASE! December 14, 2007
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
TO Donald J. Mackay (Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico):
Did you even read this book or are you reviewing a chapter you got on Amazon's sample excerpts? Or, perhaps you are reviewing an expectation of the book and not the book. I think it's likely you did not read the book. If you already live in Guad and love it then why are you reading a book about living in Guanajuato. I've read this book and it is not slanted toward people who already live in Mexico. Nor is it slanted toward bilinguals who live in Mexican neighborhoods. And as far as your comment, "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....", apparently is not shared by those who actually read the book and indicated by the comments. The problem is that historically, Americans have sought to change and alter culture where ever they've gone. This is totally based in their xenophobic tendencies. It happened in southeast Asia in the 40's-60's and it is happening today. Learning the language is the portal to the culture. If you know the language then why would the need for Gringolandias even exist? And the absurd comment that the Bower's are newcomers and therefore shouldn't be writing is bizarre. It is always some twisted bit of reasoning that critics who offer nothing to the argument use when in reality they do not know how to review a book. The question is not whether or not the Bower's have lived in Mexico three years or 30 years but is what they say about living in Mexico true or not. That is the question. If they had lived in Mexico for ten years some complainer would come along and say that wasn't enough...give me a break!
 Guanajuato, Mexico December 3, 2007
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
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 "Stupid 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 they go too far. Over and over again we encounter their contempt of fellow expatriates that live in what they describe as the "gringo-infested" cites of Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, or (God forbid) San Miguel del 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.
I am an American living in Guadalajara. Guadalajara's population of six million is hardly "gringo infested." Although there many be thousands scattered about the city, none live in my neighborhood. I am surrounded by middle-class Mexicans. I speak Spanish 90% of the time. Yes, when I visit one of the American clubs in the city, I can fall back on English and share things in common with other expats. But there is no area in Guadalajara that can be characterized as an "American Colony." One must travel one hour south to Lake Chapala to find that.
It is true that Americans living in Mexico could do a better job of learning Spanish. But this book is suppose to be about the city of Guanajuato--or so we thought. Instead, it rants on about ugly Americans. You will be ambushed in nearly every chapter by an attack on gringos who fail to learn Spanish.
So we can't they make their point and leave it be?
You began to wonder if 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 be an insight about living in Guanajuato.
Never do we get a well organized outline about living there. The book is a mishmash. 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 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, not newcomers with only three years experience like the Bowers. Be especially wary of the Bowers' suggestions regarding visas. It may restrict you. Most moving to Mexico will need a car and household goods in their adopted country.
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