1958 to 1962: Chapala and Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mom read that a family could live in Mexico on $125 a month – just the amount of Dad’s WWII pension. Dad was interested as he was not satisfied in his insurance job and the one-hour commute to downtown Chicago. In the summer of 1958, with our stuff stored or packed, we drove down to our home in Chapala, Jalisco. I was 6, just having graduated kindergarten, and my brother, Thom, was 4. We only stayed in Chapala for six months, as there were no schools for my brother and I. After moving to Guadalajara, it took several trials before we found a good fit in the American School. Soon my Dad started teaching there and fell in love with his new profession. These four years were some of the happiest that I remember as a child. We left to give Dad an opportunity to pursue his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Education.
I believe Mom loved life in Mexico the most and was the saddest to leave. The markets, the food, the cooking, the coffee, this loud and colorful culture fit her active social life.
Dad would always be approached by Mexicans as if he were Mexican. However, he never quite picked up the language. He did loved teaching social studies to grades 7 to 12!
In my Jesusita en Chihuahua dance costume for my kindergarten recital – you can tell I loved the dress and the dancing (and smiling with no teeth)!
Thom was looking the part here, but he was usually grinning ear to ear with all the creative, new, fun things he did in Mexico!
I love what this photo captures – a charming street kid, named Juan, became quite a support for our family. Besides his stand-by of shoe shining, he would do odd jobs, including entertaining Thom and I – once by making a toy out of tying a string to an iridescent green, flying bug! We loved holding one end of the string and playing with the bug on the other end!
Summer of 1971 – Sehome High School Choir
This was Choir Director, Dale Matson’s, first of many Sehome High School Choir tours to Mexico. I had just graduated and was able to participate as an announcer. It was one of the highlights of my time in high school and the experiences and connections we made there are still felt today.
Not a large audience, but a beautiful spot in Chapultepec Park to perform. 
Our small combo rocking out! 
An impromptu performance on the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. 
The Degollado Theater in Guadalajara where we had our last performance!
July of 2002 – Guadalajara and Melaque
A two-week trip with one week in a language school in Guadalajara and staying with a three generation family. This trip re-engaged my interest in the Mexican land and culture. I struggled with the language, but felt honored that I could still talk death, religion and politics with the man of the house!
My México Travels 
Following your blog is like reading a novel. I love that you shared your past memories in Mexico. Wonderful photos! Your mother and father were “lookers”…. pretty and handsome. You look the same except for the teeth. 😁
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Robin, thanks for reading my “novel” – I can’t wait to read yours! Yes, I have “looker” genes ☺️ I’m impressed you can see me in that 6-7 year old – maybe the squinty eye thing gave it away.
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