Oh, gosh -- I left you hanging, eh? So sorry! Well, the next Wednesday came and went and we're now proud owners of a nationalized and locally registered minivan.!
The second step was painless: waiting to be called, some signatures, a payment for the plates, we were handed our plates and off we went! We had hoped that the VIN inspection and plates would all happen on the same visit, but it was not to be. Except for the waiting, it was pretty painless.
Didn't use the inspection station near Rentas after all - no McBurger! - but used one we had used before (we had smogged a NOB vehicle - which didn't really need to be done) less than a mile down the road from our home. Based upon the last digit of our plate number [8], our bi-annual inspections will be due in February/March and again in August/September. Glad we have a window to get the testing, as we will be out of town for much of August.
Our annual registration renewal is due in a January/March window. I understand that no notice is sent (!), you are supposed to just know when they are due. (Everyone's is due during this period, but no one told us - had to find someone to ask). Simple, I guess: go to a bank, show them your 'card of circulation', pay them the fee and you're set for the year. Hoping that we can do this at our bank so we won't need to shift funds around too much, but the bank to which we were directed is just a block away from home. Annual cost for two smog inspections and what we expect the registration to be: $2 USD per week, depending upon what the registration fee will actually be - and the current exchange rate!
Got the plates/registration just a few days before Michael drove off to Guadalajara for our friend's family event. Timing was good - just a little too close for my comfort. Have I mentioned that I like to plan ahead?
Last night we had a dinner for friends - sort of a belated Thanksgiving. At least there was a turkey on the table! Four different appetizers, a non-dairy cream of carrot soup, jicama salad, the aforementioned salad, a spiced turkey breast with apple chutney [which was really good, even if a bit spicy (the chutney)], three side dishes (corn moque choux, the usual green bean casserole (which we've not had in years - if ever), and our traditional shredded Brussels sprouts with prosciutto dish), and homemade pumpkin pie for dessert (complements of Victor).
Of course French bubbly, local wine, and Starbucks Christmas Espresso Roast coffee was served. Victor helped with the dishes as we cleared each course last night and we finished the washing up early this morning. The house is now back to normal.
Now nothing on our schedule until the blessing of his mother's new house next Sunday here in San Miguel. It's a lovely, new condo with a rooftop deck that has a spectacular view of San Miguel. I think Victor will be BBQ-ing on the roof....
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