Phone situation

I have a cell phone here in Miahuatlán. I purchased the phone along with many other items from the woman whose apartment I took over, a former teacher here at the University. It's on a Movistar (woo-hoo, look at me!!) pre-pay plan, so I add pesos to the balance when it's getting low. Luckily I finally figured out how to check the balance, so that's a plus!

I can make calls to the States, 11.5 pesos for a 20-minute block (so it's the same for 3 minutes as it is for 20). That's like $1.15 USD (I'm sticking with an exchange rate of 10 pesos = $1 USD, even though it fluctuates from day to day, that is usually pretty darn close). So it's a good rate, and worth it for me to call home. I can also send and receive text messages, but I haven't figured out how much that costs.

Here's the catch - the woman I bought the phone from said that she never successfully received calls from the US, she just made outgoing calls. Apparently when her mom tried to call the phone number, she ended up reaching someone in Burma (aka Myanmar) and it ended up being a REALLY expensive and confusing phone call!! So her advice to me was to only use it for outgoing calls, and to receive calls made from within Mexico (which I have done with no problem).

I'm going to share the number, but my warning is "use at your own risk" and don't be surprised if someone answers speaking Burmese. Dialing from the States, the number is 011.52.951.15.442.99

I am hoping to eventually have internet in my apartment, and make Skype my main phone method. I'm all set up with a Skype account and username: ericalynnmielke so I really just need the hookup in my apartment to be ready to go.

In case of an emergency (or something serious or time-sensitive, doesn't have to be for life-and-death only situations!!), the number to reach the Centro de Idiomas here at the University is:
011.52.951.57.241.00 (apparently the University has the phone numbers ending in 00 thru 06, they will all send you to the same place). You'll get an automated system in Spanish, dial our extension 206. There is only one phone in our building, the secretary Flor is the only one who answers it. She speaks very little English, but if you ask for me (keeping it simple), she will figure it out. If I'm not available, one of the other teachers should be around to be able to take a message in English. Nobody is around from 2-4 Mexico (Central) time, FYI.

Slowly but surely I am posting all the things I've been wanting to get out there!!!