We have been back here a week and in some ways it seems as if we had never left. I call that a high comfort level. Everything is up and running which means that we can stop 'running'.
It is the rainy season now and it has rained every day since we have returned. Apparently it has rained more this year than it has in 20 years. Because of all the rain, our garden was a mess. We ended up cutting down a cedar tree (about 5 m) and trimming most of the bougainvillas right back. Our walls looked bare again but we remedied that by moving a camelia and an oleander from pots into the garden. Our lemon tree has finally started producing a real crop and now has many lemons on it. Mexicans prefer limes but I like lemons for cooking..hence our lemon tree.
Back to some chit chat about the move. I was amazed at what I put into our car. Patches was riding in the van with Bob so we had both back seats down. Bob had a van load of his boat stuff but we were able to put our big trunk into the van. It weighed a ton and thanks to our neighbour, Corinne, we were able to hoist it into the van. To unpack it we left it in the van. Not one item was broken during the move. I really did get to bring a lot of my 'treasures' with me, and those I couldn't take, I gave to friends. All of our excess stuff is packed into the second bedroom here. That will change as soon as we hang the paintings that we brought. We have already ordered 2 bookcases and another counter for the kitchen. That will accommodate everything that is sitting around now.
Friends have asked how I felt leaving Grindstone. I was sad but only because of the great friends that we made there. When we went to Grindstone, I was not a very willing party to the move. Five years later I am so happy that I had the experience of living in Grindstone ..because of the great friends that we made. Three couples from Grindstone spend time in Mazatlan, so we will still see them every year. That is so great. I am also looking forward to seeing family and friends here in Mexico. Promises have been made!!
The drive down was quite eneventful. It was my first long distance drive, as a driver, that I have made in about 30 years. Up until last year, I would not have considered the drive to Mexico. I was so fearful of driving in Mexico. This drive had me confront my fears and, it was a great experience for me. I would have liked a car with more power, especially in the mountains. Bob in the van breezed up the steep inclines but my car struggled to hit 80 km/hr. Bob was a very considerate leader and slowed his pace. In the entire drive Bob made 1 incorrect turn. The irony of that was, it was the turn that I worried about (new road not yet on GPS0, and Bob was not concerned about it!!
We had a bit of trouble with the van in Texas but that fixed (by Bob) quickly. Texas was hot. In Texas Patches started riding with me as the heat was bothering him alot. We had bought a laundry tub in Nebraska. It was occupying the front seat. We put Patches's bed in it, and he rode in the laundry tub for the next 3 days.
Bob was stopped by the Mexican customs because of all his boat stuff. The customs officials tried to change him duty on the stuff for the boat. After about a half hour of conversation (sailboat gear is tax free for foreign owned boats), we were able to convince them that we knew what we were talking about, and then for another hour or so they filled out all the papers and we were on our way. They were so interested in Bob that they left me along and never checked the car.
Some thoughts on our move: The move to Mexico was not a big change for us, as we have spent so much time here during the past years., but I believe our move has been a big change for our family and friends. In reality, the only change is, that we no longer have a residence in Manitoba. We will no longer spend 6 months in Manitoba. I can see myself visiting Manitoba every year, and will see everyone as much as when we were in Manitoba for 6 mo.
Yes our life has certainly taken a big turn, but having had a house here for 5 yr has made Patzcuaro home. We know the place and we have a great group of friends here.
Nothing here is new or different except for the sailboat. That will be the big change for both of us. Travelling by sailboat ..well who knows where that will lead us?
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