friends – Seven and I

Reflections

By Stephanie | March 16, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Every day I stare at the blank screen like a blank piece of paper trying to will myself to continue the journey which I promised I would do. Every day closes with the screen still empty, void of any words, any thoughts of the journey. It is like I have come to an abrupt end. I use pictures in my cloud to recall those memories but instead of being able to jot those memories down, I am flooded with sadness and unable to continue. Why am I sad? Living in Mexico was for me one of the happiest times in my life. I had found a little piece of paradise that I called home. If you did not know, I am no longer there and my heart yearns for those days again. But one cannot live like that. Wishing for times gone by is not healthy. Instead I should be grateful of those times and relish what I experienced. Easier said than done. So I will try once again today to break that train of thought and reflect on my journey with Seven, my saviour. The ups and the downs. The laughs, the tears. It is all part of life and the journey.

The time had come for me to make the trip back to Canada. Flights had resumed. That exit and re-entry every six months that is done by thousands of people trying to make their home in Mexico. It is a very grey area which is acknowledged by the Mexican authorities but still bloody nerve racking. All the what-ifs play havoc with your mind. My biggest fear was always not being allowed to come back, to be refused re-entry. My dogs. What would I do.? As a retired individual, I was not a threat, I was not imposing myself on the resources, I was not taking jobs away from Mexicans but in reality, they could stop me. This time round it was a complete fiasco. Canada had imposed some of the most ludicrous rules to enter the country because of the “covid pandemic”. I needed proof that I had received the jabs. I needed proof that I tested negative. I needed a place to stay where I could isolate myself from everyone for two weeks.

Looking back now I should have realized how easy it was for me to get false papers. Oh heaven forbid, disobey the government. But I did not. I got the jabs like a good citizen so I could fly back to see my mum again. I booked a flight for 3 weeks. The longest I had stayed away from my home. Simon, my son secured a place for me stay isolated from everyone. Just a couple of days before the flight I had to get the test done to prove I tested negative for covid. I sat in this little room on a tiny wooden stool. A lady entered. I only knew this person was a lady as she spoke to me. She was dressed in a full hazmat suite and held in her hand the biggest q-tip I had ever seen. She then proceeded to put that damn q-tip up both nostrils. I seriously thought she was reaching for brain matter. Sure seemed I was now entering the realm of science fiction. Of course I tested negative. The cost was a money grab. If my memory holds true, it was $100. My friend, my roomie said no problem, I’ll be OK. Upon my return though he said please don;t leave me again like that. I get it. He worked 60+ hours a week running his own business, including physical labour. Then look after the house with 4 dogs and Tai, the cat. It was a lot. I promised I would not do that again.

Upon arrival in Toronto, the usual where have you been, what do you have to declare etc. I had downloaded the Canadian arrive scam bullshit that the custom authorities never even looked at. If you don’t know about this scam you can google it and see for yourself.

Once the two week period ended, I was free to visit family and friends. I had one week. One hellava lot to cram into one week. I was grateful though. I was able to visit everyone who mean the world to me. My mum, my son, my grandson, my few friends. Didn’t see my granddaughter as she was and still is in Japan. Then it was finally boarding that plane to go home.

Arriving home never felt so good. I was exhausted but I was happy, I was home again. Crazy dogs, crazy friends. Beautiful memories.

Perhaps I have broken the chain. Perhaps now I can again resume the journey. Stay tuned for the next episode. I do promise it will be coming fast. Reflections are good. Reflections offer promises of the future. We cannot live in the past but reflect on those days as a window.

September 2018 Flurry of activity

By Stephanie | January 2, 2023 | Comments 2 comments

Not only was I getting to know the lay of the land so to speak. My home, the neighbourhood and new friends. Seven and Stella were also learning the routine. It was the first home I felt I could leave them outside safely and not be cooped inside. This meant constantly checking for Stella escape routes being the escape artist she is. Consequently Stella took guard top of one of the large cement columns at the entrance to the property and Seven choose the porch. That said, I never left them long and I was the one who brought them treats home. That’s when I started feeding them more raw meat, yogurt, cooked oats, vegetables. They loved it. I mean who would want to eat the same thing day after day after day. Yep, I spoil my dogs.

When you relocate to a foreign land, one naturally wants to connect with friends and show what a magnificent place Tepoztlan is. And of course show them my home, where I am so happy. It is interesting to find myself not only enjoying having the company and in the process I am seeing Tepoztlan from their eyes, a visitor to this magical land. The dogs sure didn’t mind the extra pets!

It was also time for me to exit Mexico as my visa was due to expire. My first real exit from Mexico since crossing the border on November 2017. If you are unaware of what happened, this post will explain. So within days of my first guest leaving, I was off to Toronto, to see my family and friends. Lots to think about and organize. First on the list is who will take care of my place and look after the loves of my life? That was settled quickly and off I go. I found out that they were having a blast with walks in the mountains. I was jealous! That was the start of my friend Pamela’s journey of having dogs. She now has four…..more on that later. Here is a taste of what she is doing. The food is excellent, atmosphere is amazing. So proud of her.

It was great to see everyone and wander around the streets of Toronto. A week passes very quickly with much to do and many people to see. This is how it will be every six months. And that’s OK with me.

Bending the law a wee bit. It could be touchy upon my return. Yet thousands of people do the same journey every six months. A quick exit and return. Trust me though it was always nerve racking for me. All it takes is one border official to scrutinize your passport and start with more questions. It has happened and from what I hear, more often than years gone by. Sure didn’t want to spend more time at a deportation centre. There you would be, literally hung in unbalance with everything at a place you cannot go. It was the chance I took to live in what I considered my little paradise. I had faith that I will sail through and resume my life in Tepoz.