visitors – Seven and I

October November 2018 More visitors arrive

By Stephanie | January 19, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

After the flurry of last month, it was great to settle into some kind of routine before my next visitors arrive. The focus of course to include my best friends Seven and Stella whenever possible which was not difficult as we lived in such a beautiful little piece of paradise, I seldom went far. As Seven, Stella and I (now known as the 3 S’s) we continued to make our presence known and the flow of visitors continue much to Seven and Stella’s delight.

The wind in Tepoztlan can at times be wicked and weak old trees can and will cause damage. Luckily this huge branch missed the water tank and the room where the gas is hooked up. No-one was hurt but I am sure the mice, lizards, ants and scorpions were not impressed

My next guest was Julie, a friend of my best friend’s son and wow did we have a blast! One day while at the local artesian market enjoying the atmosphere we indulged in a local drink called pulque – (Pulque, or octli, is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant. It is traditional in central Mexico, where it has been produced for millennia. It has the color of milk, a rather viscous consistency and a sour yeast-like taste). Everything was fine until the next day……we were both laden with a severe case of diarrhea not wanting to move too far from the bathroom which lasted almost a week. Of course all my Mexican friends were in stitches over our predicament. Julie and I were NOT amused! Never will either of us will ever let another drop of pulque pass our lips. Need your digestive system cleaned out, I have the remedy! It was sad to see Julie leave but she had more to see and do in Mexico before heading back to Germany.

While waiting with such excitement for my best friend Christine to arrive with Laura I tried to remain busy. Not only with Seven and Stella but with my new friends baking cakes. Every couple of weeks we would all arrive at Pascal’s house and Jose gave us each a particular job to do while we sipped on beer, wine or whatever was on the table along with those enormous joints like we all used to roll back in the 60’s. We sure did bake cakes to remember. Be careful these cakes we made were quite potent and very tasty! I also took some time to bring out the artist in me by enhancing my zentangles with the dogs forever at my side.

Chris and Laura were here for a week and we packed in as much as possible before they were off to see the incoming migration of the Monarch butterflies. Tepoztlan is a small town but there is much to observe. As I mentioned, it was so much fun to see the town through my visitors eyes. I saw things that were missed in my day to day activity. And they get to see Tepoz so much better than the average tourista. It was wonderful to see them both and very sad to see them leave. We made a promise that this will not be the only time.

When they left, the house felt empty. It is difficult at times but then Seven and Stella always remind me that life is good. Without them life would be empty and the journey much different.

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.