Reciprocity, anyone?

I generally avoid issues relating to my wife's work; it's a good way to get her in trouble. This is more of a general political-diplomatic issue, so, with her caveat that she's not allowed to post such things, I'm going to rant a bit.

First off, a brief explanation of the IVA tax. It's a value-added tax (VAT); details here. The tax doesn't apply to everything, so it doesn't help with much of the food cost or medicine, but it does apply to imported items and luxuries. If you go to a nice restaurant and order drinks, you will be paying IVA. If you have a sizable group of folks at a happy hour or a farewell dinner, the IVA can add up to a sizable amount.

American diplomats in Mexico are entitled to a refund of the IVA tax. Sounds great, right? There's just one problem: lots of hoops! First off, you can't apply for a refund on any purchase less than US $50. Some stores and the Pemex gas stations allow you to combine receipts obtained within a month into a single "factura" (tax statement/receipt) and meet the $50 minimum. (Telmex, the monopoly phone company, and Pemex also don't have to hit the $50 limit for filing.) If you miss that target amount, even if it's only by a few pennies due to the fluctuating currency valuation, you get nothing back.

So, you have some qualifying receipts - what next? Well, first there's a deadline: you must submit within 90 days (60 days is advised for us, since we have to ship our stuff to the Embassy - does it really take 30 days to travel there???) of the date on the receipt. Second, there's a form and procedures: fill out the spreadsheet, print it out, sign it, tape (not staple) each factura and accompanying receipt to a plain sheet of white paper, sign that, too, group the receipt/factura bundle with the spreadsheet, put it in an envelope, and send it to the US Embassy in Mexico City. At some point in the future, you'll get a refund. When? Who knows? (Turnaround has been several months for us.)

If you make a mistake on any part of the rules, you have probably lost any chance of getting your refund. Some of you may say, "but at least you're getting a refund!" True, but let's look at how Mexican diplomats are treated in the United States. A Mexican diplomat is presented with a tax exemption card. No sales taxes are charged on purchases made with this card. No muss, no fuss, no taxes.

Meanwhile the Mexican government decided to encourage tourists to visit Mexico by (wait for it) refunding the IVA tax at handy kiosks in airports. The story doesn't give all the relevant details, but here's a great little quote:

"Of the money they can claim back at airports, tourists will be able to get half in cash pesos, up to a maximum of 10,000 pesos ($955). The rest will be credited to their bank accounts or credit cards within 40 days."

Immediately?! Within 40 days?! Gee, do you think they'd mind if US diplomats started queuing up at these kiosks? According to our own government's web site, we're supposed to receive reciprocity; obviously we are not. The Mexican government is clearly more concerned with the happiness of US tourists than US diplomats. Perhaps it's time to write my representatives and complain about this specific issue or start a petition.

Oops, forgot one!

I forgot to include this bit: Christian Bale (currently playing the new Batman) has been cast to play in the next Terminator film and two possible sequels! Woohoo! I'm currently trying to keep up with the local rebroadcast of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles and gladly welcome another feature film or three!

Emily and I have been practicing our Albanian vocabulary before bed most nights. I've learned a few words. Mostly I've learned just how painful the learning process will be, before we even get into all the compound tenses....

Saturday night Emily and I went to see "El Hombre de Hierro," otherwise known as Iron Man. I loved it! I liked the effects, enjoyed the sarcastic dialogue, and, what can I say, I'm a sucker for SciFi/Fantasy, which is the heart and soul of most comic books. Upon returning home, I immediately tried to find the soundtrack, but unfortunately they only seem to be selling the score.


I forgot to mention, I saw it in IMAX for less than six bucks. Gotta love that bit of Monterrey! Unfortunately that is my single complaint of the entire movie: the theater. The left side speakers faded in and out quite often, really detracting from the auditory experience of seeing any film in an IMAX theater. Even so, it was well worth it.

Spoiler alert: my only complaint of the film itself was that Obadiah seemed to pick up the basics of suit function far too quickly for my liking. You could assume that maybe we didn't see all the training that Stark himself went through, but you can't make the same leap with Obadiah.

Rumor has it that if Iron Man does well, which by all accounts it's done very well, the studios are already looking into an Avengers movie. That could be fun.

Now, on to Prince Caspian, followed by the new Indiana Jones film (rumor has it it'll open in IMAX here, too!), and possibly The Incredible Hulk (sure hope they do a better job with this one than the last attempt in 2003) before we head back to the States. Unfortunately I won't be here for the IMAX screening of Batman: Dark Knight. Maybe I'll catch it at the Dulles IMAX.

Woohoo!

With a tremendous sigh of relief, reportedly heard as far away as Nuevo Laredo, I completed two of my classes recently (Biology and Geography), having already wrapped up an Advanced Composition class earlier. I extended a Java class until mid-July; given pack-out preparations, I needed the extra time. As I told one professor, I should have either taken no classes or maybe just one this semester. I'm burning out. My old brain can't handle this college stuff! :-)

So, I have some additional Java programming to do in the next six weeks and one more exam, but other than that, I am done. Whew.

Now maybe I can get back to a more reasonable schedule, to include walking the dog (now that her broken toe is completely healed) and more exercise in general, not to mention sorting my books into several piles: going to Albania, going to storage, donating, and possibly shipped to my brother. I believe the "donation" pile will end up being the largest. Most of my much-read SciFI/Fantasy paperbacks either have to be donated or shipped to my brother. Given that I can't ship media mail from here, only Priority Mail, it would probably cost about $30 to ship 20 pounds of books. I could probably replace them at a used book store at that rate.

What I do know is going with me is my reference and writing section. I expect that section to slowly expand over the years. My few signed first editions will go to storage, as will some hardbacks. (If anyone knows of a website where I can buy professional/library archiving materials, let me know quick!) Many of the computer books that Emily and I brought will go away; they've become too dated at this point. I might pursue a couple certifications if time permits during Albanian.