Tag: big move
five years to go

five years to go

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When we(Seven & I) started the journey, the writing came easy and I added new entries often. A simple documentation of our journey together, the ups and the downs, the laughter, the tears. Then I got lazy and let life flow on it’s own and basically stopped writing. I could fast forward 5 years and start afresh but so much has happened in those years. And five years is a long time in a dog’s life, like 35 of our years, so it is said. A lot then has happened for my best friend, Seven who will be 10 on January 11th. I have half his life to write about because this is about our journey together not just me.

Gardening, zentangling, weekly jaunts to town to chat with friends and catch up on gossip, the demanding exit of Mexico every six months left little time to sit in front of my laptop and write. The last five years has gone by in almost a blink of an eye and now I wish I had not been so damn lazy! Going back five years to write about what was going on in our lives, I use the pictures I have, because let’s face it most of us cannot remember what we did last week at any given time, let alone five years ago. Scrolling through the pictures of years gone by, flood my mind with memories and decisions that were made, good and bad. It sure has been a roller coaster ride.

I love being outside. My house in Tepoztlan was magic as I have previously said with almost an acre to make a garden. Heaven. Plants grow fast in Tepoz, incredibly fast and I had so many plants to choose from that I could only have inside in Canada. The dogs loved helping and did on the most part stay out of my freshly planted garden. Let’s give them a chance to take root – NO digging please! Now I find myself inside because it is winter in Saskatchewan, Canada with plenty of time on my hands as I will not be digging for a few more months! If you look closely you can see Seven waiting for his favourite toy in the world – his frisbee. The frisbee has to accompany us on daily walks, he will not come unless it is in my hand.

So with that in mind, please bear with me while I scroll through memory lane and share our journey. And seriously, hopefully by the time spring rolls around and we can start digging again, we will catch up on those miles, on the hopes and the dreams yet to come.

July 2018 the Big Move

July 2018 the Big Move

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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.

Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

Day Eight San Miguel de Allende

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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Seven

Day Seven

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Waking up in a house rather than a motel was like heaven. There is no comparison. Below are a few pictures of the house and garden. Arteaga is a place that I would like to visit again. If I am ever in that part of the woods again I would most definitely. I had promised the lady who ran the small restaurant where I had the most amazing coffee that I would return in the morning. Full intentions, yes but I had a long car ride ahead of me, so it was time to hit the road.

dining room

The entrance

We were on our way from Arteaga to San Miguel de Allende to meet up with my friend Hamish who I have not seen in eons. This was my last day of driving which I will explain later.  A brief look at my notes and off we go.

out of Arteaga

 

 

directions to San Miguel and Hamish

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road to San Miguel looked pretty straight forward. A six-hour drive skirting the big cities. Maps lie. Of course I should have realized that by now but that was all I had to go on. All was good until we hit St Luis Potosi. Often the ring roads are not the answer as I was told in Texas and I should have listened to those words. So I ended up going round in damn circles and at one point found myself on the highway to Guadalajara which was completely in the wrong direction. After back tracking and realizing when I asked directions to San Miguel, I have to go through St Luis, just try to keep an eye for the right highway number. Yeah right!!! Once we did that and were clear of the city we were on the right path again. Then suddenly traffic came to an abrupt stop. We were stuck. My head was now pounding because of no food. We were out of water. And nowhere to go. We had to suck it up and get through this. Trucks and more trucks.

grid lock to San Miguel

Seven did take some water thank god but I could tell he was not happy and neither was I.  This lasted what seemed an eternity – 2 hours. I think there was an accident in a small town that we went through but by the time we passed through all that was left was the police tape and one cop directing traffic.

Finally we were through the traffic and once again motoring along. By this time I did not want to stop, all I needed to get to was San Miguel, my refuge for a couple of days.  We made it, we were in San Miguel and for the life of me I could not find la casa de Hamish. Thankfully I was close and he met me and drove us to his home.

And WOW, Seven and I could have stayed there forever. Tonight there was a party for one of Hamish’s friends. The food was outstanding, the people were fantastic. And I was in a daze.

It was such a relief the end of day seven. We were both so happy.

grand entrance

rest in San Miguel

Day Six

Day Six

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Wake up time. Leash time. And wouldn’t you know it, they do serve breakfast. Guess it’s the proverbial left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Coffee and a doughnut and stashed some fruit. Problem is I never eat when I first wake up and after years it really is hard to force myself to eat when I can barely open my eyes. Listened to a lady’s tale of woe trying to get back into Mexico with her pets after years of marriage that only just fell apart. She was totally fretting because where she has to leave them in Mexico she is worried that they will not get the pampering they are used to. I know I have her email somewhere, I hope everything worked out for her.

We were not far from the border into Nuevo Laredo. Was I nervous? Damn right I was. I had many people give me pointers about the crossing, many who were concerned that I was alone and travelling in Mexico. All sorts of things were racing through my mind. Before anything though I had to put the sticker on the windshield sent to me from the Mexican government so I could drive my car in their country. That and fill the car up as gas is more expensive in Mexico but prices right near the border are not that special which does not surprise me at all. That done, passport, papers etc are ready for customs to see and give me the approval or not.  And off we go. There is a bridge to cross the river for a small fee and then bang you are in Mexico. Obviously I got the green light although I didn’t see it and I was through check-point one.  All the reading I did and route I carefully wrote fell apart immediately leaving customs. Bear left as soon as you leave customs.

page one of four today

Do not travel through Nuevo Laredo. Well that bear left could not have been more than ten feet out of customs and of course I missed it. So here I am driving through a town that everyone told me not to do. Great. I knew I had to make it to the road that goes around the town and that was to my left by all calculations. I made it, no problem but I see what everyone was concerned about, certainly not the place to park the car and hang out for awhile.  Now safely on the right road we make our way to the next checkpoint which is about 30km from the border. Here is where they examine everything.  Ok, Seven hang tight, let’s see what happens.

There are three customs men staring at me, my car packed with stuff and Seven remaining very still. They all look at my passport and ask where I am going. Then they start smiling and kind of laughing. Oh shit what now. They did not ask for any paperwork on the car, for Seven or ask to see the on-line visa I had. They were laughing at my middle name – Joy. Yep, that’s me, one big bundle of Joy. And with that I was in Mexico. It was all surreal. Nothing was scanned, nothing was checked. Had my passport back and was back on the highway heading towards Monterrey.

towards Monterrey

Trying to read my notes, take everything in while I am in a bit of a daze.

page 2

 

Page three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road soon becomes quite different as we head into the Eastern Sierra Madre and the butterflies. Wow all the butterflies. There are even signs on the highway to slow down which I am not really sure is effective.  It was really quite beautiful thousands of them in swarms. My welcome into Mexico. All is going well. I am staying on the paid highways and not the free “libre” roads. If one gets stuck, help will be there eventually so I was told.  This was going to be my shortest day on the road and should have maxed at 4 hours.  Up and down mountains I can feel the car struggling. Oh man please don’t fade on me now. Everything was fine and I am sticking to my route plan to get to my Airbnb reservation in Arteaga just outside Saltillo.

Well unknowingly I missed the damn turn.

Missed the turn

Stopped at a few places to ask directions and no-one knew Arteaga. Not surprising it is a small suburb really of Saltillo. Eventually one man was able to help me and I was basically an hour at least out of my way. Turn around and boot it back. I take the free road and not the paid highway which was fine but ended up west of Saltillo. And I was now lost. Stopped at a corner bar and these 2 gentlemen guided me in the right direction – I followed them to the highway. Still no Arteaga. It was getting late. I was freaking. I tried to call the owner of the place where I was booked for the night but to no avail. Now I was really freaking. Finally I get hold of her and she is in Cancun so sends a taxi driver to meet me and guide me to her house. Honestly I don’t think I would have found it by myself.  We then look for the keys and they are not there. Off the taxi driver goes to get the keys. The house is beautiful. He then takes me to this small restaurant and I have the best coffee I have ever had, seriously.  I walk back to the house and grab some beer, have a shower and let out this huge sigh of relief and settle in for the night. Seven was happy, he had a whole house and a backyard!!

What a day. End of day six.

Before the Move

Before the Move

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Animals know, all animals know when something is different to their routine, especially if one is connected to you like Seven is with me.

I was not only moving from my home of 18 years but I was discarding the majority of what I had collected for the past 68 years. I reduced it all to what could fit in a dodge caravan and head for the hills.  This was most confusing for Seven and in fact for myself! He saw item by item leave the house.  In the end we had a mattress and a few boxes scattered on the floor.  His only comfort was that his bed, his cats and I were still there. Then the cats left. That broke Seven and I. I do know that they are fine, they are together and have the best life ever with a most amazing lady.  But damn it, I do still miss them terribly and always will, Kitty(mama) and her two kittens Lucy and Baby.  But logistically it would have been insane to travel alone with Seven and 3 cats on the journey that I was about to make. You will hear more about them as time goes on.

Lucy Baby Kitty

Seven was not leaving my side during this whole process which took not only a few days but weeks/months of planning and organizing. Even if it was to go to the corner store he came with me. If on the odd occasion I had to leave without him the look on his face would make you cry and it did.  My work was sporadic which didn’t help and there were days or evenings that I would curl up and cry. Seven always trying to comfort me with his kisses not really knowing what the hell was going on. But he sure knew that something big was happening. How the hell do you tell a dog as smart as Border Collies or any dog can be, that you are packing up and leaving but they are coming too? Pretty much impossible. But we coped, we had each other, as crazy as that may seem to anyone who has never had a dog share their life.

I tried to make life as normal as possible but honestly I don’t think I did a very good job. My mind was scattered and Seven sensed it. He was feeling the anxiety that I was creating in our world.  I looked at him and saw the worry in his face. We would visit our friends and I would put on that happy face but little did he know that was the last time he may see them. And back to our empty house we went. To the mattress on the floor. To the scattered boxes. To the odds and ends that were lingering behind waiting to be tossed away. It was chaos. And he knew.

Then the trusted Jeep left. That was hard. Sure wish I had her now because she would be perfect where I am which you will all see soon enough.

Without him, without Seven by my side every single day, I could not have done this. I could not have moved on. that’s what friends are all about. They slobber you with wet kisses when you are happy or when you are sad and that makes you happy.

I’m smiling

 

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