Glad you can join us for the first issue of Point South and welcome to what for some of you may well become the most interesting and pleasurable learning curve of your lives. The learning curve I’m talking about is Mexico, and all about the life you couldbe leading (yes, right now) in Mexico.
My Mexico story: I first visited San Miguel de Allende ten years ago around Easter. The occasion was the birth of my goddaughter, Jocelyn. On my second day, I decided to move here. In six weeks, it was accomplished. I haven’t left for more than a month since. I explain it simply, “I’m a Mexican who happens to be born in Canada.”
For those of you thinking of beginning a Mexican odyssey of your own, two pieces of advice: If you want to understand the culture, learn some Spanish. Many key differences in life perception become obvious when you learn the language. As well, foreigners who try to speak Spanish, even atrocious Spanish, are immediately perceived and responded to more favorably than those who don’t make the attempt.
It’s also helpful to recognize that in Mexico there is a basic, cultural lexicon that is completely distinct to the one you are currently using. An easy mistake is to judge the surface of a situation with a cultural bias without ever understanding what is actually happening. It’s not only how you are used to measuring – it’s a completely different yardstick. Once you start to see the situation from the other culture’s point of view, you can easily adjust to Mexico. When it doesn’t drive you around the bend every other day, you’re assimilating. When you accept it without judgment, you’re home.
This being said, our aim at Point South is to serve as a “safe” taco stand on the road to your own Mexican discovery by providing useful and practical information on a wide range of Mexico 101 subjects and generally, what doesn’t make it to the CNN sound bite - the sizzle and the salsa. We are Canadians, Americans and Australians who now reside on the sunnier side of the wide line, which separates today from Mañanaville. We will translate for you, in the broadest and most entertaining way we can, themes that shape the psyche of Mexico, a culture far older and more complex than the one we were born into, serving as a bridge wherever possible. In addition to the content of this magazine, you will find other articles of interest and current real estate information about the areas represented herein at our website: www.pointsouthmexico.com
In this inaugural issue of Point South, we are looking at three of the most-popular destinations for foreigners in Mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Ajijic/ Chapala and San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Each has long-standing foreign communities, are visitor friendly as well as celebrated retirement hotspots for decades. From the beaches of Riviera Nayarit to the colonial charm of La Parroquia, to the sunny shores of Mexico’s largest fresh water lake, with words and images on the pages to follow, we will explore some of the amazing diversity that Mexico offers as a culture, as a lifestyle choice for Canadians, as well as a rising investment destination.
This year it has been my great good fortunate to participate in two births. The first was the birth of my Mexican son, Diego, and the second you now hold in your hands, Point South. To my team of editors, designers, and photographers, as well as our contributors
from across Central Mexico, I salute you: this magazine is a concrete testament to your vast talents. On behalf of the Point South team, and as publisher of this magazine it is my privilege to welcome you, dear reader, to this and future issues. Bienvenida! 
