I will eventually get to the 'point' of the 'big decision', but first a little side story. Fifteen or more years ago Alan became involved in an international (now global) men's organization called The New Warrior. To become a member requires each man to attend the New Warrior Training Adventure weekend. This is best described as an initiation for the modern man. The organization has since changed its name to The Mankind Project ( mankindproject.org) and is much more than a ritual weekend. Alan has been involved with the Washington D.C. group the entire time and has staffed many of the weekend trainings. During one of the exercises at the adventure weekend each man, in a vision quest of sorts, must choose an animal spirit which in some way symbolizes his personality traits. Alan's spirit animal is the owl. I found this description on the internet:
"Oh, the wise old owl. An owl knows all and sees all with its unblinking eyes. A person with the personality traits of the owl is logical and great at problem-solving. He or she may be good at mathematics and methodical in everyday tasks. The owl doesn’t break the rules. An owl may be seen at times as a perfectionist, inflexible, and slow to react. The owl is a thinker and symbolizes wisdom."
You are probably wondering where I'm going with this. You see an owl and the owl is Alan's spirit animal. And the point is? Are you saying this is some kind of an omen or sign? Hmmm... Not sure, but there's even more to this story.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The BIG decision!
When this quest began over a year ago, the thought of retiring in Mexico seemed like another dream that would most likely fade away as others have in the past. Reality sets in, life goes on, and so forth. Well, it seems that this dream has lingered and we have both shared a similar vision - and when that occurs, look out - stuff can happen when the stars are in alignment. Our trip to Merida had a single focus. Well, actually a dual purpose - to see if we really liked this place we had scoured over the internet, and to look at several of the homes we had seen in pics or videos. Mexico has an attraction that is difficult to explain. There is much going on there, both good and bad, not unlike the US. I have vowed not to mention politics on this blog, so I will just state that the current partisan culture here has exhausted me. I really do love my country, it's just that right now I'm quite frustrated. OK, enough said.
One of the good things about Mexico is that expats are not allowed to vote or be involved in the political process. What a relief - we can live our lives quietly and in peace, enjoying the wonders of this magnificent part of the universe. This does not mean that foreigners aren't allowed to contribute in other ways. There are many opportunities to volunteer and be of service.
When we arrived in Merida back in January, we made contact with our realtor and set up appointments to view the various houses we had selected as our favorites. We had a couple of days on our own so we walked through the various parques and neighborhoods. We were strolling along a street in Santiago and Francisco called out from across the street to see if we were interested in seeing a house that his friend was selling. We said 'sure', and he led us into a very dark and empty house that must have been a boarding house of sorts. There were rooms lined up on either side of a courtyard and we saw only one woman who was washing clothes in a large tin tub. We managed to convey that this was not the type property we were looking for. He then took us next door to another friend's house which was chock full of antiques of all varieties, from French bronze candelabras to chests and armoires. The back garden was a tropical jungle with huge trees and trailing vines with leaves the size of dinner plates. While we were standing there, the three of us speaking in our broken Spanish and English somehow managing to have a conversation, I looked up and perched on a limb of the Zapote tree was a small brown owl. He was watching us with mild curiosity and, although only a few feet above our heads, did not leave his perch. We went back inside, Francisco showed us a photo album of the home on Calle 62 that he had renovated (which was also for sale), and then we left to continue meandering through the streets of Centro. I think we both were wondering about the owl. I'm quite sure there are many owls in Yucatan, but isn't it unusual to spot one in the middle of the day sitting barely three feet above three men laughing, speaking and gesticulating to communicate with each other?
to be continued.....
One of the good things about Mexico is that expats are not allowed to vote or be involved in the political process. What a relief - we can live our lives quietly and in peace, enjoying the wonders of this magnificent part of the universe. This does not mean that foreigners aren't allowed to contribute in other ways. There are many opportunities to volunteer and be of service.
When we arrived in Merida back in January, we made contact with our realtor and set up appointments to view the various houses we had selected as our favorites. We had a couple of days on our own so we walked through the various parques and neighborhoods. We were strolling along a street in Santiago and Francisco called out from across the street to see if we were interested in seeing a house that his friend was selling. We said 'sure', and he led us into a very dark and empty house that must have been a boarding house of sorts. There were rooms lined up on either side of a courtyard and we saw only one woman who was washing clothes in a large tin tub. We managed to convey that this was not the type property we were looking for. He then took us next door to another friend's house which was chock full of antiques of all varieties, from French bronze candelabras to chests and armoires. The back garden was a tropical jungle with huge trees and trailing vines with leaves the size of dinner plates. While we were standing there, the three of us speaking in our broken Spanish and English somehow managing to have a conversation, I looked up and perched on a limb of the Zapote tree was a small brown owl. He was watching us with mild curiosity and, although only a few feet above our heads, did not leave his perch. We went back inside, Francisco showed us a photo album of the home on Calle 62 that he had renovated (which was also for sale), and then we left to continue meandering through the streets of Centro. I think we both were wondering about the owl. I'm quite sure there are many owls in Yucatan, but isn't it unusual to spot one in the middle of the day sitting barely three feet above three men laughing, speaking and gesticulating to communicate with each other?
to be continued.....
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Santa Ana - Top Location
This well located home, just a couple of blocks from Parque Santa Ana and Paseo de Montejo, is the only home we saw that was not named. Or maybe it does have a name and was just not included on the listing site or on the facade. This was also the last home we saw on our list and because we already had a couple of favorites we did not spend much time here. The floor plan was not this home's best feature. The first room you enter is set up as a dining room, with the first bedroom just to the left. The next room is the kitchen with island and beyond that a pleasant tejeban (red tile covered terrace). The master bedroom opens to the garden and a nice pool. All the rooms have well-preserved original pasta tile floors of unusual patterns.
All in all, not a bad home. It just did not speak to us. See what you think by checking it out on the Mexico International site by clicking on the link below.
All in all, not a bad home. It just did not speak to us. See what you think by checking it out on the Mexico International site by clicking on the link below.
Monday, February 14, 2011
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