Red tape...

Some time ago I wrote, with confidence, that we were heading to the local immigration office to get our "green cards," actually our temporary foreign resident cards.  Apparently red tape is the same the world over, because here it is three weeks later (and about $400.00 USD poorer)  and we are finally, officially, card carrying Temporary Foreign Residents.
After two visits to the Mexican Consulate in  Orlando, many hours of paperwork which resulted in a two inch thick file folder, fingerprints and multiple (bad) pictures, and about $250.00 each, we thought our FM3's (temporary resident visas) were in perfect order. We were told all we would have to do is "check in" at the La Paz immigration office within thirty day of arrival.
When we went to the office some three weeks ago there were only a few people there and we got to the front of the line fairly quickly.  Once there it became apparent that our Spanish was not up to the task as the officer looked at our visas and began telling us what we would have to do.  He turned the computer screen our way and kindly clicked through a number of pages to show us the process, but again, it was all in Spanish and way above our level of understanding.
      A quick aside: this is, after all, Mexico, and I don't think that the locals should learn my language in order to accomodate me. That being said, it was obvious that we were going to need some assistance and fortunately we knew right where to go.  There is a small business in Marina de La Paz which caters to gringos like us and will, for a fee, walk you through the paperwork and legalities. This is the same office that helped us long distance with our temporary import license which listed EVERY item, in Spansh, that we were bringing into the country. Of course there was another fee (we're still not sure exactly what for although we have an official receipt) and then we waited for an appointment.
Today was the day and we met with Salvador from Eco Naveria, who speaks perfect English as well as Spanish and understands the ins and outs of immigration. After about an hour wait we went to the desk, signed papers, had our fingerprints taken -again - and then received our laminated temporary resident cards.  I thought they should have given me a little Mexican flag, too, but no such luck.
Thanks to our new friend Salvador we got our cards, good for a year and renewable, as well as park passes and fishing licenses.
Maybe it's being retired, maybe it's the laid back atmosphere, but situations such as this no longer stress me and I find them more interesting then aggravating :).