Foot steps

Take only memories, leave only foot steps.
Today we say goodbye to Mexico and tomorrow hello to Belize.

Mi Cielo

This photo has not been enhanced, the sky was this flaming orange a few nights ago.  Speaking of the sky, in Spanish another way to say I love you, other than Te Amo is to say Mi Cielo, it literally means “my sky” but in their thoughts it says; my heaven, my sky, my all.

Iguanas

She may not look pretty to you but to her BF she’s the moon and the stars!
There are iguanas everywhere in Mexico, I especially like the lime green ones.

Toni & Wayne

Toni & Wayne are our neighbors in MX, they are one of the most fascinating couples you will ever meet.  They have lived all over the world due to Wayne’s job as an engineer on oil rigs.  Some of their homes include The Congo, Trinidad, Ireland etc.  Wayne is the wisest and most positive man I know.  Toni calls me her Sweet Baby, she believes every women is a Goddess and every human needs at least 17 hugs a day.  Last but not least she makes the world’s best Chocolate Mousse.
At night we sit on our deck with Toni & Wayne, drink wine and discuss life.

Happy Happy Birthday Alan!

Feliz Cumpleanos Alejandro - it’s Alan’s special day starting with breakfast in bed (cake & coffee).

Dreams

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams...

Alan’s family joined us for the week

Jan. 23rd - Alan’s family joined us for the week, with 3 under 3 and one in the oven we had an active week :-). It was great to have them here!

De Corazon

De corazon (from the heart)
I am totally amazed at the number of people who visit my blog.  I have no idea WHO visits but I can see how many people do.  I feel honored to have you join me on my journey around the world in 2020.  My future blogs will continue to be honest & from the heart.  

Freedom

Freedom - well the obvious is I’m no longer tethered to work e-mails...aaahhhh.
I feel free here for other reasons too.  I don’t carry a purse, I just put some peso’s in my pocket & go (and peso’s go a long way here).  
I also walk everywhere, it’s healthier, it provides time to look and think.  I stop for coffee & chat with the locals.  We sold both of our cars before we left, we take a taxi from time to time here but I prefer to just walk...

End of the day...

A sunset and a glass of wine, what a nice way to end the day!

Hanging with the locals

Jan. 17th - most of the large crocodiles here (up to 18 feet & weighing up to 2,000 pounds) hang in a near by sanctuary where they are protected.  Some of the smaller ones can be seen in the ocean by our condo, one decided to enjoy our pool a few years ago.  They sometimes hang out in the marina which didn’t turn out well for one of the resturant owners black lab while swimming there.

Another day that I didn’t miss work..

Be Calm

Jan. 15 - Since I’m not working anymore I have time to get in shape!  It’s not for vanity reasons, I want to be able to go on an adventure when I’m 80 :-)

Friends

It was great to have Robert and Liz visit for a few days!  Their adventures include; climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa & running a marathon....why do I feel like such a slug??

Run little turtle run!!

Jan. 12th - Every winter thousands of baby sea turtles hatch in the warm sand and make a mad dash for the ocean before birds and fish eat them!  Only about 1% of them live to be a 100 lbs. adult sea turtle.

How Mexicans view US politics

I’ve traveled to 7 different countries in the last 5 years and US politics comes up often.  There are many questions, comments, gestures etc.  With a 97% disapproval rating Trump is very unpopular in MX.  The good news is Americans are still liked and welcomed here.  Some Mexicans are angry with Trump some make jokes about him.  Their most common name for him is “the clown”.  I did finally meet one of the Mexicans that falls in the 3% that actually like him.  He owned a very nice restaurant and he said he liked Trump because he was a “business man”.  His restaurant has since closed.

Worlds best margarita

Since it’s Friday, I’m going to share my world’s best margarita recipe (in my humble opinion).
1 1/2 shots tequila (must be 100% agave) unless you enjoy hangovers
1 shot orange liqueur; Contro or Triple Sec or an upgrade would be Grand Mariner
2 small limes or 1 larger one
1/3 pitcher of ice and then blend
Notes;
I don’t put salt on the rim but many people like it that way
If you add a sweet sugery mix to it you must remove the words “worlds best” and it becomes an American margarita.
I sometimes throw in a few raspberry’s; fresh or frozen, this takes away a little of the pucker of the limes and gives it a pretty pink look.
Enjoy one or two of these and then go salsa dancing :-). Cheers!

How do you pack for a year long trip?

How do you pack for a year long trip?.....just a carry on :-).
This was definitely the most frequently asked question when we told people we were traveling around the world for a year.  People thought we would each have 2 giants suitcases....no way!
How to do it, well first we are only going to warm places (no bulky winter clothes needed).  The colors need to work together and layers helps.  You definitely need to limit shoes, good soles with tops that flatten out.  We are staying in VRBO’s so they have hair dryers etc.  Ok, I have a fanny pack, you are welcome to call me a nerd but I can’t lose a passport or credit card if it’s attached to me.  The trip is less about fashion and more about hiking & exploring however I do have a slinky black top that would get me into any restaurant in Saint Tropez, France.  I even have room for this world necklace with pictures of my beautiful daughters in it!

The whales are back!

January 8th - We watched whales from our deck this morning!  Every December to March humpback whales come to the warm waters of PV to have their babies.  I wish I could take credit for this great photo however it was shot here by my friend Garrett.

Retirement

Retirement is good!