Remember that band called “Smiling Faces”? Maybe not, you are probably too young. A music review this is not, but the group’s name does strike a cord with Dooglas (his Mexican name for Douglas) and I since living in Mexico.

There is a fundamental joy to existence here. How many Canadians and Americans realize that our NAFTA partner to the south of us live their daily lives in a country?

• where kindness and happiness are way off the charts compared to what we are used to
• where you can live well on far less with some adjustments in your expectations
• where everyone has access to affordable health care
• where virtually everyone welcomes you
• where you do not hear frequent swearing
• where there are fabulous markets, beautiful beaches, fantastic weather, art and culture and a bus system that goes everywhere
• where your efforts to speak Spanish are greeted with smiling enthusiasm

There are scientific studies that show singing and smiling even when one feels sad will increase your endorphins. Mexicans all seem to know this. Smiling exercises and happy thoughts are something that Dooglas and I agreed to practice for ½ hour per day. Still working on that! Is the reason for the smiling faces geographical having more to do with living in La Manzanilla on the Costa Alegre (Happy Coast)?

We shall see.