Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ending of a Month ~ Beginning of an Adventure

Ok, here's another awkward post ... but, we're aiming at honesty here, so here we go ...

It's been peculating probably for a year, this episode in my life. At first I was startled by it, resistant, then, realizing that it truly was a dream of my husband's, I've now begun chewing on accepting it. This episode (are you ready?) is, the possibility of moving to Mexico. Yep, waaaaaaaaaaay down south, out-of-the-country Mexico. He's been sampling homes, cities, villages, health insurance etc. for over a year. Together we've begun talking about our needs/wants and now have taken steps to go spend some length of time down where we'd both consider possible.

The first step was getting a vehicle that got better mileage (yeah, I was ALL behind that, good for the planet). So over a period of weeks, we stumblingly (is that a word?) acquired a new red (I'd gone for a more earthy color, but buying used ...) PT Cruiser. It's mileage is around 28mpg as compared with the 11mpg of Roland's truck and it functions better for me to carry paintings/art necessities than the sedan we'd first considered. Now, I'm finding this zippy lil' PT kinda fun ... and ... she will be a vehicle we can tow. Yes, tow (are you ready again?) behind our newly acquired [gulp] 28 foot RV.

There, I've said "it". I've never been one for the ostentatious, nor a "giant" carbon footprint, nor what feels like extreme extravagance but, here she is. After considering value for re-sale and storage and quality, this was the best option. I still waver between embarrassment and acceptance when I walk out in our yard and see her. But my husband has always been so very attentive to our "nest" and requiring quality in our home, I'm settling into this. Just the other night we enjoyed our first dinner and movie in "Tiffy" (yes, we've named her). And it was a pleasure ... warm, cozy, even romantic.

We plan to test her out on a couple local camping expeditions this Spring/Summer, followed by a Winter trek to Mexico. There we'll sample the reality of this dream for both of us. I've spoken to many artists/friends and am finding there is a huge ex-pat number who do and have done just this. One of my students worked in a Mexican bank, another artist's friend found much more success after moving to Mexico and other's have told me of the numerous possibilities of teaching classes. So I'm chewing, I'm chewing.

Love to hear any and all of your input ... I have learned, my opinion/perspective may not be the only or best one in existence. So "The Travels & Learnings in the Life of an Artist & Spiritual Seeker" continue ... appreciate your traveling along by my side :)





3 comments:

Unknown said...

I wouldn't dream of trying to advise you on such a move... you have to listen to your own hearts and heads on this one.
But, I will say... You only live once, and if you do go, I kind of envy you for acting on your dream...

Kendra said...

My mom and dad felt the same way when they bought their trailer. My dad is a mountain man and my parents always camped in tents and with horses. It didn't take long though before their embarassement wore off replaced by sheer pleasure. They love their trailer and have had lots of amazing adventures with it. :) Maybe one of your adventures will bring you up to Beautiful British Columbia this spring/summer!

Unknown said...

Oh Elaine! What a wonderful adventure you are on! Do you have any specific places in Mexico where you are contemplating eventually settling? My daughter and son-in-law live in Mexico, and we have visited quite often - in many locations. They are our guides and interpreters! We, too, have felt the allure of warmer climes in the winter - and may end up there for several months at a time in the near future... Let me know if you have some questions, and I'll see if my daughter can answer for you.