Another lousy day in Paradise
Written by Bessie on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Mexico
Feelin' thoughtful
Nearly every morning we get up and Dan tells us, "It's just another lousy day in paradise." This of course means the sun is shining, it's about mid-70's and a maximum of 5 clouds might float by all day. Here you have to look to find a bug and you wouldn't dare to miss the dramatic sunsets.Feelin' thoughtful
We're staying in Puerto Vallarta with Kyle's aunt Susan and her husband, Dan, who spend 3 months here wach winter. Suffice to say they love it here, and it's hard to blame them. Each day is possibly more pleasant than the day before. We start the day with fresh squeezed oj, some of the best locally grown bananas, mangoes, and strawberries, and often end with a glass of red wine watching the sunset.
Susan and Dan have found an apartment complex just west of the charming Downtown and a 15 minute walk from the ocean that is nestled amongst locals (I'm listening to little kids yelling Gooooooooal as I'm writing). They have numerous friends that settle here part of the year as well, and many of the expats (expatriates) that call this home add to the vibrancy of a community well situated on a beautiful bay.
If I seem a bit like I might be boasting about their gig, well, I am. If I were their age, I could easily imagine their lifestyle. Dan and Susan run a mediation company and can work out of just about anywhere with a high-speed internet connection. (Now granted Dan works 7 days a week, but he'd do it at home too, so why not enjoy paradise on the side?) With a portable income stream, who wouldn't want to live in their own bit of paradise?
Many more people find their own way to live in their bit of paradise. We've encountered a restaurant owner, a hair stylist, a broadway star, a pastor, and a English teacher that have transplanted themselves here. Some work, others use their skills to help others. It's easy to find birds that flew south for the winter and don't come back about anywhere, and I can relate to the desire of ditching out on cold winters and sticking near a warm beach. If you dig a place, why not consider sticking in roots?
As Kyle and I travel around, we plot ways to sustain ourselves somewhere and prolong "living on the road". I can manage volunteers in my sleep, but that may not pay the bills. I envision my self as one of those snorkel boat tour guides in hardcore sandals making sure everyone gets on their life vests soaking in the sun (yes, mom, I'm wearing sunblock) with super blonde hair. And if that still doesn't pay the bills, I'll make sure Kyle has an internet connection. Anyone need a website designed?
Comments on "Another lousy day in Paradise"
It's been GREAT having you here in our little corner of paradise. Our admiration for your travel project has only increased (if that's possible). Looking forward to e-following you to Guanajuato and beyond!
Trust us we loved every minute of it! Hope we can do it again sometime! :)
We should start a joint venture. :) I'm working from "home" now, but "home" could be just about anywhere as long as you have a phone and internet connection! I don't think the kids would mind spending their breaks from school in the Caribbean, do you?
Keep it up as long as you can! If you can find a way to travel and make money enough to live, you've hit the motherload. I'd trade place with the two of you any day of the week. I admire what you are doing and love reading your stories every week.
Ya, the internet connection is the hard part. "High Speed" is always relative and while Mexico seems to be pretty stable, in other places, sometimes the power goes out... However, we'll definitely look into it and let you know what we find :)
Heck yeah! We'd take you during spring breaks!!!!
Looks like a fine place to settle. We'll all come down to visit from time to time. You can charge tourists to take them on tours after you buy a VW. Or just buy a boat, advertise, and then happily take folks out where they want to be and charge them by the hour as they swim or fish or drink out on the water and sell them towels and sunscreen, masks and snorkels. All the time be writing travel books and fiction based upon travel experiences to supplement your financial lives. Just a thought :>) :>)
Not a bad idea really. All one really needs is a boat and some booze and you could make a decent amount of money in PV.
Ahhh yes, it could all come together so easily...
right now i'm catching up on ur lives and i feel so bad that it's been a few weeks since i've been to ur site. i've actually been very busy for the first time in a long time but i havent forgot about u two =). i'm happy to hear you guys got to visit some of kyle's family. Sounds like you had wonderful accomodations. bess, ur last paragraph is adorable =). if u guys decide to live on the road for the rest of ur lives it's fine with me as long as u come back for visits!
i just procrastinated about an hour of studying reading about your travels...mainly the bits about guatemala! I got your blog from lee and janelle's....i'm janelle's second cousin...! I'm glad i found it! I spent last summer living and working in Guatemala City~ and was able to spend time at atitlan, antigua, and climb pacaya as well! I'm thinking of going back in May and was going to go to xela since i wasn't able to go before....it was nice to read what you had to say!
by Katy http://khgrace.nomadlife.org at March 25, 2008 10:04 PMsafe travels, take care