Category: moving

Early months of 2019

Early months of 2019

So much has happened. So many changes. Seven and I are both asking what the hell is going on. Over the next few months I promise to continue our journey of change by sharing to anyone who may care to listen. Looking back it brings up memories and many emotions. We cannot change the past but we can hopefully learn from it. Yes there is a lot of catching up to do, a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, a lot of change and a lot of future. I will start from where I stopped.

New year, new hopes, new dreams. In a lot of ways it did feel like a dream most days. I was more relaxed than I had been for years. The 3S’s (Seven, Stella and I) were really getting into what felt an awesome good rhythm of life and living. Many people, family, mainly my dear Mum were under the impression that I was on a very long holiday. Nope. Just doing what I can to survive in this crazy world. I had found a little piece of paradise and I wanted to keep it that way. It is difficult to put in words what I was doing and how I felt no matter how hard I tried.

It was great to see my family over xmas last month as it was very special for my mum. My son always says, gifts come from the heart and can be given anytime of the year, I really don’t need another pair of socks. At the same time it was wonderful to get home again and continue to explore.

More visitors. More cakes. More walking. More friends. More discoveries. More art. More dogs.

Just behind my house is a temple that was found while excavating to widen the highway. Thankfully it is not known to many and I liked it like that. On the path, past the temple is this wonderful amate tree (from the fig family). One can see where people gather whether it be to pray to their gods or enjoy the ambience and peace of the forest. It really is beautiful. And the magnificent views after the climb makes it all worth it – Tepoztlan, Ixcatepec, volcano Popo and so much more.

Baking cakes is becoming quite the ritual and a lot of fun – before and after! Great way to get together with friends and pass away a beautiful day. Continuing to expand my ‘art’ and generally enjoy life. Seven and Stella amuse me daily and remind me how lucky I am to have them. Also enjoying the white grapefruit from my garden – sure has a punch first thing in the morning!

Life was good. We, the 3 S’s had found our home.

July 2018 the Big Move

July 2018 the Big Move

The day finally arrived. Seven and Stella could feel my excitement I am sure with me pacing in anticipation. Having only been in Mexico for a mere seven months with no more than I could fit in my car, I was amazed at how much I had accumulated. Basic stuff – a bed, a table and chairs, small chest of drawers and of course my another dog, Stella.

I definitely needed some muscle to help me move, so I hired two men and a truck, literally. Two loads with me and the 2 dogs crammed in the front seat. Luckily it was not too far. I did feel sorry for the men though with the many uneven shitty steps to bring my wares down and then more, although good stairs to carry them up upon arrival at the new abode. They did a stellar job. A few plants were left behind which I reluctantly returned to the house of doom to retrieve the following week.

Finally when the men left, I sat down on the porch and overlooked what was heaven to me. I had such good feelings surround me. The dogs were joyous. They now had almost an acre to play in with many trees including a white grapefruit tree! I felt that I had finally arrived home, a place I could hang my hat. A place to grow. We all slept well that night.

My first job the next day was to secure the best I could any escape possibilities for my gypsy Stella, the extraordinary escape artist. She will find any exit, trust me on this. Seven, no problem, he would never leave. And over the course of the following few weeks I will make this house my home. The transformation came quickly. We all settled in much faster than expected. Seven and Stella become best friends which was what I wanted. Stella was always convinced that everyone loves her, whether you have four legs or two. Seven on the other hand was and still is extremely cautious who he accepts into his fold.

Great plans need work and time. My plan for the front of the house immediately came to light – to expand it with local fauna. The back of the house I’ll just leave to grow wild, there was no need to transform it to manicured space. Leave it for the wildlife that called it their home – the lizards, spiders, owls, birds, possums, mice and god forbid scorpions. But we all deserve some space, right?

It was just a short walk over the small river in front of the house to the local village, Ixcatepec which provided me with just about everything I needed. Naturally being in a small village, I was soon recognized as the new gringo but quickly made friends with people who have lived here all their life. The language barrier can be a terrible hinderance but you make the effort and so do they. And life continues.

Over the next few weeks I came across many things why this house was so special and why I had such good feelings. One can argue that structures do not hold any more purpose than the reason they were were built. But honestly this place held a special vibe. There was a river in front. There was a recently discovered temple behind the house that when standing on it you can see the main temple of Tepoztlan. And from the room at the top of the house which became “my” room you could see the tallest and most active volcano in Mexico, Popocatépetl. Seriously, this place is magical. You will read more of the magic soon.

Naturally I needed to invite my new friends to my new home. One has to have, needs to have a welcoming party. And that I did. Because I had made it home. I was the happiest I had been in a long time. After years of dreaming the 3 S’s – Seven, Stella and I have arrived.

Hang on there is so much more to tell.

JUNE 2018

JUNE 2018

The only person to blame for the lack of continuing to move forward with The Journey is me. I could give multiple reasons but what’s the point? Yes we have been busy, very busy but that is no excuse. For now I will add month by month or multiple months at a time till we are up to-date. Yikes, which ever way I do this, it is a lot of writing to do. Seven says yep mum you have been slacking big time. There is so much to add, so many changes. New friends, old friends, joys and sadness which are all part of our journey.

June 2018, we said goodbye to some furry friends which are never easy.

saying goodbye is never easy

Even a delightful furry moth settled in for a few days to say goodbye.

It is said that changes are good. I have never had so many home changes in such a short period of time and I begin to question that. But we move forward, Seven, Stella and I bracing the changes that are about to unfold.

Of course there have been many updates on this platform, so once again I am on a learning curve. I hope that you will enjoy the Journey, it’s quite the roller coaster ride.

May 2018 new home

May 2018 new home

Finally I saw our new home. I was pretty much silent while I sat on the couch after I looked at what could possibly be where we will hang our hats. Inside I was ecstatic, could not believe what I had stumbled upon. I walked back to the house of doom with a smile full of promises. I would be happy, the dogs would be joyous. Finally, I could live the dream.

The house was huge. The garden was huge. Beside a river. Beside a new found pyramid. The view from the third floor, my bedroom, was a room that anyone would fall in love with where in the mornings one can see Popocatépetl, the biggest active volcano in Mexico (known locally as Popo). And the price was right. All I needed now was the approval of the landlord. I admit I went there with all my fingers and toes crossed. This has to be the one.

All went well with the landlady. Honestly, I did not understand a word she said (thank god I had someone there to translate) but she liked me and welcomed me with open arms. All I had to do was give her money and wait until the end of the following month to move in. We can do this. We can wait. Thankfully that saying all good things come to those who wait was proving true to me. Here are a couple of pictures…..

entrance
the house

Meanwhile I was dealing with Miss Stella, the escape artist who will take ANY opportunity to run to ‘freedom’. I tried to the best of my ability to secure the fence but to no avail. Yes she came back, sometimes on her own but mostly by people who found her. You will hear more of that over the following months. Little bugger but I do love her.

I also became so very sick that I thought would be the end of me. For the record, I have or should I say used to have a stomach of steel, meaning I could eat anything and not get sick. Well a little parasite decided to squash that and play havoc with me. I felt that I was fading away. Nothing, absolutely nothing stayed with me. After 3 weeks of medication from the regular doctor and holistic practitioner, I was on the mend. What did I eat? I narrowed it down to some fruit that I had not cleaned. Now consequently, I clean everything with Microdyn that kills those nasty little bugs before they find a home in my tummy. Lesson learned!

While we wait for the move, nothing like celebrating with friends a little drop of Mezcal …….

enjoying some mezcal

April 2018 – regroup

April 2018 – regroup

I became unsure of my decision that I made 6 months prior. Literally I was a mess. To have a man hound you for money daily for work that I did not agree to including knocking on my door. I started to get scared. I started to sell things to lighten my load. I was seeking a ride to the border and then a ride to Canada. Not an easy feat with 2 dogs under my wing. I flatly refuse to put them in a crate and in the bellows of an airplane. As we all know, dogs can read your emotions and they too were feeling the fear, the unknown. I was lost in paradise.

Then one day while in tears, my friend sat me down and told me not to runaway. Told me I was a warrior (not in the literal sense) with what I had done and been through and I should not let any man stop me from living my dream. With new gained confidence I stopped everything and began looking for a new place to live. The wonderful little house I had was now a bad omen, I hated it. Bad for my new addition, Stella too. Sadly I had to have her chained as she was an escape artist. But she still managed to escape at least once a week. We were getting desperate.

Stella Chained

Looking for a new placed became my focus. One would think being April when all the snowbirds have left it would be easy but that was far from the truth. Many people have taken to Airbnb because they make more money which sucks for people looking for long term rentals. And prices were going up which is one thing I could not afford. Even started looking at other towns but in reality it would have been silly at that point. I was asking everyone I knew. I saw some great places and some damn awful ones. Almost took one that was out of town. It was perfect. Price was right surrounded by fields. But I declined. Flies can be a big problem and with a horse paddock right behind my back door, I and my dogs would be bothered by more than flies!! Also the landlords uncle next door bred bulls for the ring and the guy next door bred fighting cocks. There was no way I could deal with that. If you know anything about bull and cock fights you will understand. Animals bred to fight for human entertainment is cruel and I did not want to live next to that.

As luck would have it I asked a friend who had a lovely cheese shop if she knew of any house that was vacant. Without missing a beat, she said I could have her place as she was leaving the country. One draw back, it would not be available til the end of June. No problem. I felt we could stick it out in the house of doom for a couple more months. But first I must look at the house and be vetted by the landlord. More on that soon but my god it sounded perfect.

I went home and curled up with Seven and Stella. Told them, things are looking up, hang in there, all will be good soon.

Seven and Stella waiting on good news.



The Truth without Proof ain’t Worth Shit

The Truth without Proof ain’t Worth Shit

Many of you know the story. Me packing up and leaving my comfort zone. Headed south to Mexico with a few belongings and my dog, my best friend Seven. We crossed the US/Mexico border without a question. “Have a nice time” they told me. And for 5 months that is exactly what I did with a few little hic-ups along the way.

March 15th. I decided not to cook that day, I wanted to go again to this fabulous little café down the road.  Put on some clean clothes, told the dogs to be good and I will be back soon. It was around 12:30, the sun was shining and the café was just around the corner, well a leisurely 25 minute walk. Suddenly without warning there was a van from the Mexican Migration and 2 cops on their 4-wheelers. Pasaporte y papel, por favor. Now because of my easy entry into Mexico by car, my passport was not stamped. So as far as the Mexican Migration were concerned, I was there illegally. Yes I take part and only a very tiny part of the blame here for not insisting that my passport be stamped, but I had the paper work for the car and my Seven, so I did not worry.

I then find myself being told to get into the back of the van.

I tell everyone my story but they do not believe me. As the title say, Truth without Proof ain’t worth Shit.  I am finger printed, photographed and told to remove all my jewellery and hand everything over including cell phones. I cannot return to my house. My dogs. My Seven, my Stella. They were my only concern at that point, my babies. It was obvious that I could not go back to house. My dear friend saved the day, went to feed and play with my dogs and she brought my passport which I was told I needed or it could be longer that I would be held. How long? I was never told. I was given a meal and told to sleep. A 10×10 room is what I had with 2 bunk beds. I am thankful that there were no other “illegals” with me. Eventually I found myself signing a whole bunch of papers that I was told would allow me to re-enter Mexico. Six hours have gone by. By this time I am a nervous wreck. I cannot stop shaking, crying with both anger and fear. I manage to get a couple of hours sleep and I am told that I must be taken to the migration centre in Mexico City and be kept there until “my case” is reviewed and a decision is made on what they are going to do. At this point only a handful of people know what has happened. And truth be known did I? I had no idea that my friends and family were working to resolve this and get me home. I had no access to the outside world.

I was given the essentials to clean myself and then the ride to Mexico City in the same van followed by a police car.  Arrival at the deportation place. Again everything has to be handed over. I am given a bag with the essentials, 2 blankets, a quick body search, more papers to sign and then the door opens into where I stayed for eight days. Eight days of my life that I will never ever forget. This is the only picture I can find of the centre I was in, taken in 2008 from this article. Really not much has changed in 10 years.

deportation centre

Cold showers, no towel, sign for toilet paper, sign for 3 meals a day which looked like something the dog threw up, line up for detergent, line up for diapers or sanitary towels. Phone calls can only be made certain times of the day. And my God if you asked one minute after the alloted times, you missed your opportunity. One day this guy came in and was blabbing about something for half an hour. When I asked if I could make a phone call, he said no it is past time. I said yeah, cos you have talked for half an hour so I missed it. He let me make it but when I called my friend was not home! The gate to the dormitories was closed around 10 and not opened til 9am the following morning after the head count.  No lights out, you sleep with bright flourescent lights. The yard was size of maybe 2 basketball courts. Walls of 12 feet and topped with barbed wire and was watched by employees of a security company.  Making us wait to go outside was crazy – where were we going to go? Not unless we grew wings. The excuse was so the place would be cleaned. Mexico is ripe with fresh vegetables and fruit at amazingly low cost, there was no reason why the food should be so bad. In 8 days I had one orange, 2 slices of lime and one piece of watermelon. The odd colour of the vegetables in the food made it hard to decipher what it was. The food was served on styrofoam plates and make sure you damage it before throwing it away. I was told that the plates were taken from the garbage, rinsed and reused the next meal.

I think I was the first Canadian there as the international dialling code was not written in one of their many books. You are allowed one free phone call a week. So you better have all your facts together not to miss the window. Every federal migration officer I spoke with knows that there is a serious problem with land border crossings. I said fix it! They said that is never going to happen.  I arrived on Friday and then it was yet another holiday in Mexico, so nothing would be done until Tuesday. I wasn’t sure if I could make it. My friends told me to be strong. It was really difficult. You are helpless. You are a number. You are nothing. Your life is in the hands of strangers. I now know what it feels like to be a caged animal pacing, pacing, pacing.

As the days meld into each other, one becomes numb, void of any feelings. Then there were days when I felt I could take no more and I would sit there and cry. One family took me under their wing. They were from El Salvador and seeking asylum in Mexico, because if they returned, they would die. They had already been there 35 days. She was a strong woman and gave me strength while I was there. I missed them when their day came for them to leave but so happy for them. I intend to keep in touch. There were many who were looking to go to the US from Honduras, Guatemala, Chile, Peru caught before they made the border and sent back to their home countries. Many escaping abusive relationships with kids in tow and/or pregnant. Their lives on hold as mine was.

Daily I was worried about Seven and Stella. They are my life. But I shouldn’t have been, my friend arranged to put them in this kennel very close to where I live. They were safe and looked after by an amazing couple who run Caralampio and their Facebook page where these pictures came from.

kennel time

Seven at camp

Stella at camp

Now it was mid-week and by now the lawyer who my friends and mum paid for was working on getting me out at any time. Manana, manana. I know things move slower in Mexico, but for me these days were an eternity.  The day finally arrived. Friday March 23rd. I was told that the migration agents who picked me up 8 days ago would be taking me to the airport at 4pm and bringing with them my passport so I could leave the country. I was not deported and there is no record of me being in Mexico illegally for the past 5 months.

With a flurry I was told to grab my belongings and the 2 blankets that were given me. I was leaving and it was way before 4pm.  More papers to sign. Grab my things that were put in a safe, check that they are all there and then back in the van to the airport. Walking through the airport terminal with 2 immigration officers get quite a lot of looks. Yep, I am the bad ass Canadian lady of 68 years being sent out of the country, have a good gander. Many checks, more forms to sign. They stay with me until I am walking down the ramp to the plane. I feel for them, do they feel like shit? I bloody hope so.

The free flight back to Canada with Aero Mexico was great and I took full advantage of the free booze, I figured I deserved it at this point.  You know how one always complains or hears complaints of bad food on planes? Well let me tell you it was like heaven to me and I must have devoured it within 5 minutes, right down to the last bread crumb.  Settled down to a some shows and began to relax a little. Customs in Canada, yes I was questioned. I was away for 5 months, declaring nothing and carrying only a small back pack.  They had to make sure I didn’t have a kilo of cocaine on me.  My best friend met me and drove me to my mum’s.

What now? After 3 busy days back in Toronto filled with tears and laughter, I have returned to Mexico. My passport has been stamped and I am legal for 180days. I have my dogs, my best friends back. Where I wonder will I go from here?

Seven’s return

Stella’s return

Landlords, Good and Bad

Landlords, Good and Bad

For the last almost 20 years I had the best landlord one could ever want.  I miss that connection. There were never any issues and it was my home, I mean really my home for those years.

our previous home

I still have a few things in their barn for a time perhaps if I may return.  I have now come to the conclusion that I was extremely lucky. They became my friends. But time moves forward and I am suddenly jolted into reality.

I am here in a different country, different language and a whole new set of rules to live by. In Canada one pays the first and last months rent when you move in. So basically the last month you reside has been paid for. Well down here in Mexico you pay the first month and a deposit which is one months rent. It is then up to the landlord whether you will get that deposit back when you leave. Trust me, they will do anything not to pay you back that deposit. Mine is not unusual and possibly emphasized because I am a gringo.

Let me explain what happened. I decided to leave the house I rented mainly due to cost. The house was not overly large but as I spend the majority of time outside all I really used was the bedroom and kitchen/dining room. So why pay for something that is not being used. And I wanted more space for Seven. Since he first arrived in Holt, he had reign over 200 acres, no fences, no other dogs to quarrel with. Here in Tepoz he became trapped in a small garden and getting very vocal with all who passed the gate. This is not a life for a border collie. I found a beautiful little house, saving me $100 a month. One can buy a lot of food and wine with $100! This new house has much more space outside and Seven has relaxed and not barking at everything that passes, in fact it’s a long path to the road. Strange perhaps to some how one adjusts to the well-being of the animals that share your space possibly more than is necessary but for anyone that is connected beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is normal.

So I duly give my notice and I am then told I broke the contract and do no get my deposit back. I figured that would happen. Every day I was bombarded with messages. When are you leaving? Listen I have til the 15th and I will be out as soon as I can. After multiple trips with bits and pieces, the big things were finally moved this Monday.  I promised I would return to the old house to sweep and mop the floor – lots of dog hair even though I swept every day! At the same time I would pick up the last remaining items, a garden hose, some plants and a big old ashtray that used to sit on my parents coffee table from way back in the 60’s. The plants were there piled up like useless pots but the hose and ashtray gone. I then get multiple messages that I left the place trashed. Garbage everywhere, dirty windows, broken latch. Well the latch broke on its own, just fell off the door one day while I was sitting on the patio. She thinks I am going to pay for that? Think again. I took the garbage to the corner as I have done for the past 3 months but now she says I have to pay – yeah I’ll get right on that. She says if it is not picked up she will bring it to my new house. Well lady I am not going to give you my address. And dirty windows? You just pocketed the deposit, pay someone to clean them. Whether I get the hose and ashtray back is questionable. Probably not. You may think oh come on Steph, it’s only a hose and an old ashtray. That’s not the point, they stole my property. Man am I ever glad to be out of there. She is not a nice person. I really think she tried to pull a fast one on the gringo but it did not work.

So that was my first house move in Mexico. One that I do not wish to encounter again. My new landlady is a calm, intelligent lady and I am sure the relationship will be a better experience.  Thinking about it, I feel as I have just arrived in Tepoz. As much as I tried, the first house never gelled with me, something was not quite right. I will miss the peace and quiet that the house offered and my neighbours but most definitely not the landlord.

Rant over.

Tepoz is wonderful, we needed only to find the right spot to hang our hats. And I believe we have. Life is good.

new climb

new place

We Made It

We Made It

After nine long days on the road with little sleep apart from in San Miguel, we made it. We were here in Tepoztlan, Pueblo Magico, Morelos, Mexico. WOW. You did it Stephanie. Now what?

After unloading the car it was time to decide what I was going to sleep on. I had no bed. My friend Maria had helped me get a fridge, table with chairs and a sofa but alas there was not time to purchase a bed. Thinking back I should have put emphasis on a bed. But here I was. The sofa is skinny and not long enough for my frame but it was all I had unless I wanted to sleep on the floor – no scrap that idea. So the sofa it was. I was so tired, the floor would have been just as good. Needless to say I was awake early. There was a whole list of things that had to be done. Water and gas to be ordered and food to purchase. I sat on the porch and thought where the hell to I begin! Lucky for me the landlady’s brother-in-law, Elmer lives across the street and delivers water. You will here much more of Elmer as time goes on. The tank was almost empty and took two loads to fill.  Done. Then this truck comes down the dusty road tooting his horn and he is selling gas! Done.

gas!! now we are in business

Now we must find some food. Where do I go? I Really had no idea. To be honest I don’t think I went to the market in Tepoztlan that first day. I really cannot remember. I know I found the local store that would give me the basics but no food to speak of.  I must have eaten but what? That is a long-lost memory now.  For quite some time I used google to make my route out of here and still do! Tepoztlan is not a large town but to me then it was a twisted network of cobbled stone streets.  

But for the most part that day was spent in a daze, emptying the boxes of stuff I had brought with me. This was not a holiday, this was it. This was home. I am not sure what Seven thought of the whole ordeal but he was beginning to meet the neighbours dogs. Elmer has 10 of them. Thank god I have a fenced yard as time will tell but this picking up dog poop is a real bummer. After 18 years of not having to worry about it as all my dogs including Seven would find a spot in the bush away from everything. Now I have to pick it up, the poop-and-scoop deal every day. Damn he poops a lot, I just never realized. One learns very early that eyes are down when walking either to make sure you don’t step in dog poop or trip over the cobbled stones. Many times I have tripped and only once stepped in poop. No looking up at the beautiful mountains that surround Tepoztlan while walking, stop then look up.

Seven was itching to run I could tell but for now we rest and look out at our domain.

look out first day

 

Last Day on the Road

Last Day on the Road

I so did not want to leave San Miguel but we must move forward. This is our last day on the road – for now.  Leaving Holt, Ontario many things crossed my mind. First what a crazy thing to do! Second, what the hell am I doing. Third and possibly the most important, I was following my dream. I feel that most people never ever thought that I would actually do it. How many women or men pack up and head out to a new life at 68? I too had my doubts whether I would grab that bull by the horn and actually go through with everything. Was I all talk and no action? Guess I was fool enough, strong enough, head strong enough, so why the hell not! In retrospect I wish I had taken longer to make the journey, taken the time to explore while I was travelling. But alas that also would have required more money which I did not have. Maybe next time.

The last leg of my journey was a sticky one for me. From San Miguel de Allende to my destination meant driving right through Mexico City. That I did not want to do. Not a chance. With my pigeon Spanish and trying to traverse through one of the most populated cities in the world it was not happening. What to do? I contacted a small tour company from San Miguel called Safe Trips SMA. Mara was supreme. The day before I sent her pictures of all the documents she needed. Mara was driving, Seven and I were passengers. What a joy that was going to be. The time was set for 8AM. I was awake way before that making sure I had everything in order and a couple of good cups of coffee. Mara was right on time. We loaded the few bags I had, put Seven in the car, said our good-byes to Hamish and paradise. And we were off.

Mara is Mexican and has countless years experience driving in Mexico and the US. But at the same time I was nervous. I have only driven this car for just over a week and to me it was like a damn truck compared to the Jeep I had driven for 17 years. But Mara climbed in and started driving it like she had owned it for years. I was unaware it was a holiday weekend in Mexico. Pretty hard to keep up with in Mexico because they have so many! Lucky for us because the highways were relatively quiet. Mara told me that usually driving through the city can take hours but we were sailing through. Coming closer to Mexico City she asked me what year the car is and the last number on my license plate. Kind of an odd question. I told her and she looked at me saying, really? All the information that I had read prior to the trip I cannot for the life of me remember reading anything about this. In Mexico City they are very adamant about keeping older cars off the road. And you must pay attention to the last number. My number was up. We were not supposed to be on the road. Holy Shit. If caught the car would be impounded, Mara could lose her license and I would be up shit’s creek with a bill that I could not afford. We purchased a pass for the over-pass. There was hardly any traffic and we booted it. Once safely out of the boundaries of Mexico City we did a high-five and fumbled through our bags to light a cigarette. Tense? Just a tad.

We are almost there. The road out of Mexico City to our destination is a highway that runs through the mountains. The highway gave us glimpses of the most active volcano in Mexico

Popocatépetl

Popocatépetl which has been more active since the devastating earth quake in September of this year.

Not far now. My friend Maria is meeting us at the only gas station in town to guide us to my new home. We made such good time everyone was amazed. Mara had places to go, people to see so there I was parked waiting for Maria. The clock was ticking. Maria was thinking the same, where are they. Finally we connect. She is at the other end of the station. It has been a year since I have seen her. We are both pretty speechless. I am in a daze.

Now it is time to follow Maria to the house. The brakes are squeaking. The road is bumpy. I have absolutely no idea where I am going. We arrive. Time to meet the landlady. Seven is sniffing every bush and we quickly make it to the front door. I am immediately told that I need to get water, I need to get gas. I am shown a room upstairs which has just been built. It is lovely. But I am told if I want it, it is and extra $1500 pesos a month. Whoa wait a second. You do realize that I have driven for the last 9 days I can’t take all this in right now.

Maria asks if I would like to get something to eat. Damn right, haven’t had a thing all day. I lock the door and get in her car. I have no idea where I am but I buy something to eat, buy some coffee and some things that I feel I will need. I had no idea. The plan was to wait for Maria to return but I needed to get back to the house. Order a taxi I am told. I did just that and guess what, we got lost. Just great. Luckily I was able to get Maria on her phone and she guided the driver to my house. I pay the driver and there is Seven in the yard. I forgot to shut the back door, thank god I shut the gate.

I spent the next couple of hours unloading the car and dragging everything to the house. There was no need really but this was it. We made it Seven.

Journey’s end. Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico.

home

we made it

Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

Seven days on the road. Highways, motels, trucks, crappy food and my poor Seven not really knowing what was going on. I was exhausted yet wired to the gill. The road trip was not over yet but we took great refuge and thanks to my friend Hamish for letting us stay at his magnificent house in San Miguel de Allende. It made the seven days all worth it. His home in San Miguel is paradise. Nestled in the centre of the town behind brick walls and an unasuming door.  Like many homes in Mexico, never ever judge the book by the cover. There is not the flamboyance of showing off to the passers-by as seen throughout North America. You just never know what you may find behind those mediocre looking garage doors.

casa de Hamish

Upon entering I was immediately hit with the smell of jasmine. Everything is open but private. I immediately felt relaxed and ready to rejuvenate.

reflect and rejuvenate

After a good sleep, the first one in seven really, I had coffee and took Seven for a little walk around the neighbourhood praying I would not get lost! Returning, our day started with a great traditional Mexican breakfast prepared by the lady who takes care of everything at the house except the garden who Seven kept occupied, it had been a full week of not chasing his favourite ball so he was in paradise also.

happy seven on the roof top

It was then time for me to see a little of San Miguel. I certainly need more than an afternoon but thankful of my friend Hamish taking me on the mini tour. What a beautiful town and the centre was buzzing with tourists.

San Miguel de Allende

In fact San Miguel was my first choice some years ago but it has become expensive. In fact San Miguel has been listed as one of THE places to retire and as more and more people move into the town it is getting difficult to find suitable accommodation so my search extended.

Enroute to dinner I found my wings and had a magnificent meal while listening to some great music from Bobby Kapp, a good friend of Hamish. 

Time to walk back to paradise and have a good sleep, another busy day lays ahead of us as our journey continues.

Hamish and I

spread those wings
found my wings