New Years Eve in Playa del Carmen

How to have fun on New Year’s Eve in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Here are my best top 5 suggestions for enjoying New Years Eve in Playa del Carmen, Mexico:

5) Only drink Coke. If you drink enough cokes you can get quite a buzz! At least I do because I don’t usually drink anything with caffeine. The trick is to avoid the Rum. Then you get the buzz without the hangover.

4) Hang out on the beach – there is nothing quite like bringing in the New Year with your feet in the sand as you gaze out upon the moonlit ocean. Enjoy the people and watching the stars. Also you can drink your cokes there.

3) Find someone who has a house on the beach and get yourself invited there for a party.

2) Walk along 5th Ave. close to midnight. The restaurants seem to have all their clocks set at slightly different times, so you can probably catch at least three different countdowns to bring in the New Year.

1) Plan to go to bed early so that you can go for a New Years Day morning swim in the ocean.

Ah, what a life!

Happy New Year from our tropical holiday hut to yours!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com

After Christmas in Mexico

How do we all avoid a post Christmas let down once all the gifts have been opened, the turkey has been devoured and all that is left is the clean up? Even in Mexico, we can suffer this fate! This year let’s be prepared!

Plan a day at Xel Ha or Xcaret. If you are not in the Riviera Maya, I’m sure that you can find another adventure park or activity. Then again, you could just come here!

Go to the beach.

Plan a day on a catamaran.

Visit other towns or states in Mexico.

Plan an after party with friends and marvel at how well you managed over the holidays.

Plan a trip to somewhere cold just to be different. Book a ticket to somewhere warm again for the next day as you will probably find it too cold.

Start planning next Christmas! It is never too early to avoid the frenzy.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com

Making a Gingerbread House in Mexico

One might think that this would be a relatively easy process. However in Mexico a builder has to think about the fact that humidity can crumble walls or even that ants could carry it away! I do not want any ants thinking my gingerbread house is a party palace. I want us free to eat it ourselves dust and all after Christmas!

Here is my plan:

- Bake the gingerbread well to ensure strong walls. Of course avoiding any burnt color.

- Cover the preparation area with disposable plastic to avoid leaving any sugar remnants.

- Build the house on a base that then gets set in a pan of water to deter ants. Maybe we should make the house a gingerbread castle and that is the moat!

- And vacuum the kids after assembly.

That should work! And you thought living in the tropics was the easy life!

Okay so maybe it is. See you at the beach. Feliz Navidad!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com/

Christmas in Mexico Top 10

Today I’ll share with you my top 10 things to do if you are spending Christmas in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this year.

10) Go to the beach and build Santa’s house out of sand. Paper towel rolls make a great mold for the posts. Don’t forget to add the North Pole sign post. Paper or plastic reindeer are optional, but do add a more realistic look. Skip the candy – too messy with the sand – sand on your tongue is just yucky.

9) Make some pretty red and green margaritas. The green ones are lime and the red ones are strawberry (frozen strawberries of course because we don’t grow strawberries in Mexico!). Drink them while you eat corn chips with a choice of red or green salsa.

8) Put on suntan lotion and go Christmas shopping on 5th Ave. Buy an inflatable pool floaty toy shaped like a palm tree for yourself and towels that say “Playa del Carmen” for everybody else.

7) Rent a kids Christmas movie that you know really well and watch it in Spanish and giggle because the voices are different and sound funny.

6) Take your new palm tree floaty and go for a polar bear swim in the pool – the pools are cold here at Christmas time! Have Abuelita (Spanish for Grandma) brand hot chocolate ready for when you come out. It’s the best - all pre spiced and everything!

5) Decorate a palm tree with twinkle lights and red balls as your Christmas tree.

4) Plan a party and invite mariachis to play the music. This is a good time to serve more red and green margaritas, and your salsa. You can also show off your palm tree.

3) Buy some poinsettias to decorate your place and then after Christmas you can plant them outdoors and they will live!

2) Take a picture of yourself at the beach wearing a Santa hat and send it as a Christmas card to all your friends who live far away. If you want to get creative, take it in front of the Santa house you made out of sand. Very impressive!

1) Last but obviously not least; put tacos out for Santa and chili flavored chips for the reindeer. They look forward to coming to Mexico every year because we have the best snacks!

Merry Christmas to all!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com/

Does it really feel like Christmas in Mexico?

Does it ever really feel like Christmas in Mexico? Well not exactly at this moment. You see I originally come from a land of snow at Christmas. Playa del Carmen does not get any snow.

So, I have the decorations up, and the tree up, but still no special Christmas feeling ... hmm, what to do??

I am thinking the following may help ..... paper snowflakes on the windows, rolls of cotton batting laid out across the lawn, the setting up of a live nativity scene in our yard, creating an outdoor fireplace, twinkle lights everywhere, installing air conditioning so that I can turn it up really high, and playing my Christmas carols full blast every minute of everyday until Christmas.

That should help! Does anyone have any pine scent? Wait until my husband gets home!

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com

Christmas shopping in Mexico

Christmas shopping in Mexico can be so easy. First, put on lots of suntan lotion .......

Then, if you are on the west coast of Mexico, head to the beach as there you can lounge or have dinner while all the vendors come to you. How much easier can it get? Before you know it, you will have purchased gifts of silver, shells, beads, wooden carvings, kites, candles, blankets, and assorted clothing.

If you are on the east coast of Mexico, vendors are not allowed to come to you on the beach, but don't worry as a stroll along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen will satisfy all your gift requirements.

Anywhere else in Mexico, just visit the local market and you will find many unique and inexpensive gifts. Remember however you cannot travel with chickens. Best to stick with the local handicrafts and art work.

Now, who gets this awesome sculpture of a monkey carved out of a coconut? Really nobody needs to fight over it - I bought 5!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com

Holiday in Mexico at Christmas?

Christmas is coming ... it's coming ... it's coming! I love Christmas - no matter what country I am in! You probably wonder how I can feel so much like Christmas when I live with warm weather and palm trees?

It is because even here in Mexico the stores have Christmas decorations out! Yes, few countries escape commercialism. Real Christmas trees are even showing up in store parking lots. I don't recommend them though as they never see water and I can guarantee you they will be brown by Christmas. In Mexico, as near as I can figure, they are seen as a sign of great beauty when brown.

Why don't you plan to come and have a tropical Christmas? You could spend Christmas day playing in the surf and laying on the beach. Christmas dinner could be fresh fish or tacos. No cooking, no cleaning and no responsibilities. Now that just might be a change of pace you need.

You will definitely find me at the beach while my turkey is cooking. I like to mix up my traditions. Now to plan my Christmas baking ...... maybe some candy with chili?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live your Dreams Life Coach

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com

Life in the slow lane of Mexico

Life seems to move more slowly here in Mexico. Do you need to get used to that? Yes, very often I remind myself that it is a good thing. In Mexico, things are usually done at a different pace and can even be looked at with a different level of importance.

Line ups are good because they give you a chance to notice things like what people are wearing and they also give you a chance to write to do lists. When they tear up all the roads at the same time (just visit Playa del Carmen now to experience this wonder) that is good because you cannot go anywhere and you are forced to relax. Of course I work from home, so I relax all the time and don’t usually need to go anywhere.

Some days it can be tough to get anything done, but what really needs to be done anyway? I say relax and enjoy as that is what life should be about! I guess I moved to the right place then.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Puppies born in Mexico

My friends dog just had puppies at my house! This morning at 5:15 AM the first was born and six hours later number two was born. Will there be a third puppy in six hours more?

Here is the story: My good friend left for four days in Mexico City to visit her mother and left me her dog. She did not know when she booked the trip her dogs due date. When she left me her dog - she was supposed to have 10 days more to go ... but ... well you now know the rest!

The truth is, she could not have given me a more beautiful present. Seeing puppies being born is one of life's miracles and I just got to see that miracle first hand. Thank you my friend.

Shall I stamp the puppies made in Mexico?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Day of the Dead in Mexico

In Spanish it is called Dia de los Muertos.

When we first moved to Mexico I did not understand this holiday or this concept. As with everything we do not understand, it even scared me a little. Why did Mexicans display skeletons and skulls made out of sugar?

It turns out that the whole emphasis is on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life. Now this I can get behind.

Alters are made and graves are decorated to celebrate the lives of loved ones passed away. If artistic skeletons are used, they are often adorned with the type of clothes the deceased would have worn. Their favorite food and drink and cherished possessions are put out in hopes their spirits will be enticed to visit.

This special time is celebrated November 1st and 2nd. I better get preparing!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

A great Mexican house painter

I made my painter feel bad on the weekend. First, let me tell you we have found the best painter you could ever hope to have. He comes from Chiapas and really knows his stuff. He painted the outside of our house just before Hurricane Wilma and we were practically the only people who did not have to repaint their house!

He is here again to paint our wall and gate now, as well as the inside of our house. So what happened? Saturday I arrived home to find the metal on our gate painted orange! Turns out it was only the rust protector coat and black will be painted over top but he saw my initial reaction when I returned home and was so upset that I seemed upset that today when he came to work he brought me a huge container of apple juice as an apology for upsetting me!

Only in Mexico you say? Maybe. All I know is that I feel pretty darn lucky to have found such a great guy to paint our house. Now, how do I apologize to him for making him feel bad?

He is in Playa del Carmen for six months. Let me know if you need a painter!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Holiday from Mexico

How interesting does that sound? We are taking a holiday away from Mexico.

Shawn and I are going to go play in another playground for a week to celebrate our 24th Wedding Anniversary! We are headed to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A holiday is one thing, but we would not want to get too far from a beach and palm trees!

I hope we remember the English language! Not to worry, I hear a lot of people speak Spanish there! Whew! Then I will not be too homesick. Maybe we can even eat some Tex-Mex! You know the stuff with ground beef and sour cream and cheddar cheese. Believe it or not I miss that – you just can’t get it here.

Don’t tell my husband, but I am looking forward to shopping there! I always need baking supplies that you can’t get here and I may also need just a few other things….. like a gift for our house sitters (someone has to take care of our garden!).... and maybe still a few other things....
How many bags can we return with?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

I love my Mexican bananas!

Living in Mexico we now have banana trees in our yard! How cool is that?

I’m currently waiting for the next batch to ripen. Family and friends are eagerly awaiting banana bread, banana pancakes, banana smoothies, banana piña coladas, and banana cream pie.

The only little challenge is that the whole batch of 200 or so bananas often all comes ripe at the same time. Well this makes our neighbors and friends happy - at least at first - after awhile they start running the other way when they see us – oh no, not more bananas please. Interestingly they can’t get enough banana bread?!

Feel free to share any great banana recipes you have with me as I am in the preparation and anticipation stage now! Later, I may be tired of bananas....but then I forget and I anticipate the next batch yet again. I love my banana trees!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

More road construction in Mexico?

This is a funny story. Only in Mexico you say? I drove my son to school this morning. What is normally a five minute drive took fifteen. Why? It was because of road construction.

Let’s see, the first right I tried to take had three roads with a total of five lanes of traffic trying to merge into one lane just before a traffic light. I actually backed up from that mess to take another route.

I decided to go several blocks to the left in order to go straight. That was a great plan until I tried to make another right (yep – still trying to get to the Highway). This right hand turn again had four lanes merging into one because they had blocked this road too! We managed that to find out the traffic going against us on the highway also had to deal with road construction and were backed up - I would normally return home this way!

My son actually apologized that I had to go through all that to take him to school! Maybe it was worth it just to hear the thanks? … I actually told him it was not a problem and that if this was the worst I had to deal with today life was a piece of cake. He was not even late for school – although he was right at the bell.

I returned home through Puerto Vallarta – please note that we live in Playa del Carmen on the opposite coast of Mexico. No, I jest – because I wouldn’t be home yet would I? But it would make for a good adventure! Wait until people asked me how I ended up on that journey!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Is it dustier in Mexico these days?

A swirling vortex of dust is headed down the road straight to my house. Is the window open? When does my maid come again? She always cleans muttering “Hay mucho polvo” …. “Hay mucho polvo” … Which translates to - there is a lot of dust! Sorry Eva!

One day soon my road will be paved again. This by the way is the same road they tore up a year and a half ago to put in the sewer pipes. So tell me, what will life be like when I have no more dust filling up my house and covering my car? How will I fill my time that is currently spent wiping my tables and counters off?

Maybe I'll try windsurfing! In fact maybe I'll try that now and stop worrying about dust - after all there are more important things in life..... writing really helps put things into perspective! Suddenly I love the wind! The dust? Well, as I said previously, I love my maid!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne
Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Benefits of living in Mexico

I have been writing lately about different things that I appreciate about Mexico; so it occurred to me that I should start a list.

The benefits of living in Mexico:

- Tropical fruits and vegetables cheap. Oh yes, we are talking mangoes, papayas, pineapples, avocados and more that I can’t even spell.

- Being able to have a maid for an inexpensive cost. A gardener too. Actually most services and repairs cost less.

- Road construction and potholes in the road that make you slow down and enjoy the scenery.

- Gas trucks that go through the neighborhood too fast and make you speed up as you run down the road to catch them. That way you get exercise.

- Generally a slower pace of life. What was all stressed about before?

What are the things you love about being in or living in Mexico? Feel free to add them here.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Enjoy having a maid in Mexico!

I really love my maid!

She scrubbed my bathroom floors on her hands and knees the other day! Who else is going to scrub my bathroom floors? It sure won’t be me!

Living in Mexico definitely has its benefits and having a maid for a reasonable cost is one of them.

I am one of those people who had a maid in Canada as well. I worked, had the money and hated cleaning. I found a lady who loved to clean (hard to believe eh?) and the income she made helped support her and her son.

So it was no trouble at all for me to adjust to having a maid in Mexico. I love to help people and I love my house being clean without my doing it.

When the kids found out she swept under the bed they were amazed because Mom never did that! Who looks under the bed anyway? Now you know why I also need a maid in Mexico!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick


P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Successfully peeling a mango

Living in Mexico has many benefits and plentiful mangoes are one of them.

There are many ways to successfully peel or cut up a mango. We had mango on a stick in Puerto Vallarta. They actually made it look like a big flower and somehow managed to get a stick into the pit.

Some people don’t peel it. They simply slice on each side of the flat pit. Then they score it into squares and flip it inside out so that they can eat the squares of mango off of the skin. Interesting eh?

I start by peeling it with a peeler – that should be straight forward you think . . . . But it is a little slippery – so off it scoots across the counter. Thank goodness my counter is clean! The best thing to do now is just to grab this slippery, slimy thing and finish the peel job. Then slice the fruit away from its large almond shaped pit. I can handle that! Once off the pit, it is easy to cube that delicious, juicy fruit. The hard part is not eating it all as you prepare it!

Don’t forget to find a volunteer to suck on the pit. It’s juicy, fun and tasty but the juice is guaranteed to dribble to your elbows and you invariably get mango caught in your teeth.

Have you ever tried mango cubed into a green salad? Romaine lettuce, toasted pecans, cubed apple, diced jicima, cubed mango and a sweet/sour vinaigrette dressing. It is the best!

Feel free to share your favorite recipe or thoughts on eating a mango as it is still mango season in Mexico. I’m going to go peel one now. Wish me luck! Anyone want the pit?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Playa del Carmen And Hurricane Dean

Hurricane Dean has passed us now. It hit about 4 hours south of Playa del Carmen early Tuesday morning. It went through Mahual and Chetumal; unfortunately leaving those areas in very bad shape. Let's face it, all kidding aside there is never a good place for a category 5 hurricane to hit.

In Playa del Carmen we got a night of high winds and a little rain. I was a little disappointed that the power did not go out, but my husband lit some candles and did his candle making class anyway.

Playa was really over prepared (is that even possible?) just in case of a Hurricane Wilma repeat for us. We are counting ourselves very fortunate this time.

So Tuesday afternoon we untied our trees, took the boards off of our office windows, and had several good meals to eat some of the food we had stocked up on! It will be awhile before the cookies are all finished though.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Offering adventure vacations with Hurricane Dean

Would you like to come now for an adventure vacation? Hurricane Dean is getting closer! At this point it looks like Chetumal will get the brunt of it and not Playa del Carmen but who really knows? I am sure you would have thrills no matter where in the Riviera Maya you choose to holiday.

Actually it is very interesting to go down to the beach right now as our tourists are lazing around soaking up the beautiful sun and swimming in the so far calm ocean. They have to sip water and lemonade though as an alcohol ban went into effect yesterday. Mexico has decided that it is best to try and prevent people from being drunk during a hurricane. Anyway we have the beaches that look like it is life as usual in the sunny tropics and then you go into town and find all the locals in lineups for gas, water and plywood. It appears to be two different worlds.

Playa already has emergency personnel in town so I am feeling like we are in good hands. I am impressed with Mexico every hurricane.

What has our family been doing? Well for starters our daughter baked cookies. Smart girl as they are non perishable - last hurricane I made cream pie - not smart when the power goes out early.

What will we do during the hurricane? My husband Shawn has decided he will teach a candle making course during the hurricane - he has wax, toilet paper rolls and special string for wicks ready. Our son figures we can start a game of Robert Kiyosaki's Cash Flow and just be finishing it up as the hurricane ends (as the game can last a long time). I don't really figure that is the case as all of us have gotten out of the rat race in the game in less than an hour on more than one occasion - which will leave lots of time for our candle making course.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Hurricane Dean - is it still coming?

Yes, it appears hurricane Dean is still heading our way. My shopping for non perishables in the hopes that I will be so prepared it will decide it is not worth coming is obviously not working so tomorrow I will try shopping for clothes.

The town has been very busy all weekend as people rush around to get prepared. They forecast it will hit Tuesday around 2 am. This blog post could be titled “nothing feels like you’re living in the tropics like a good hurricane!” …… others should be so lucky to get this adventure!

By the way, don’t forget to send the cams and reality TV show people down! Remember I get a cut of the profits on that one. I bet there are a lot of advertisers that would sponsor that – the duct tape people for instance…. Seal it all with duct tape … and don’t forget the companies who supply non perishable milk in cartons - like a girl scout motto - always be prepared with milk!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Another hurricane for Playa del Carmen?

Possibly hurricane Dean will hit Playa del Carmen on Monday or Tuesday next week. How do I feel? The words, “Oh no not again” pop into my mind repeatedly. I went shopping yesterday and stocked up on non perishable food and a friend bought plywood to board his windows so maybe that will ensure we never see it. You think?

I just remembered to check my hurricane checklist so now I am headed out for candles and batteries. Drinking water is taken care of by our home delivery.

Let’s see, once again it is possible we will be without electricity, phone or Internet. How did people of the olden days manage life? I mean really!

Some people leave town when they hear a hurricane is coming – not me, I’m going to pull out the games! After all we survived hurricane Wilma just fine (for details of that adventure see my book below)!

I’ll keep you posted for as long as we have Internet connection. After that you can trust I will be munching on cookies, drinking margaritas, catching up on my books and playing my games!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Ways to stay cool in Mexico in the summer

Well, it is the middle of summer and it is hot and humid in our beautiful little town of Playa del Carmen. Stay away we tell our friends at this time of year - you wont like it - it is too hot! Still they come. Well, in case you ever move here and have the same thing happen to you, I offer some ideas........

Have your company wash your car so that they can cool off with the hose - Spend a lot of time at the beach - go to air conditioned movies - put in a pool - put in air conditioning - go shopping at air conditioned malls - take them to cenotes (fresh water swimming holes carved into the limestone that makes the Yucatan Peninsula) - drink lots of water in between the margaritas - throw water at each other - suggest everyone take lots of showers - suggest everyone wash your windows so that they can get wet - take them to Xcaret or XelHa (local adventure parks) - or tell them not to come because you are coming to visit them!

Just a few ways to enjoy the hot and humid summer in Playa. Have any other ideas? Send them to me immediately as more company is coming!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

The power of mañana in Mexico

Laid back . . . we can do it later . . . mañana . . . life is easy . . . relax. . . .

All of those words come to mind while living in Mexico. My personal philosophy is that more of us could learn to live like that! I bet there are even fewer heart attacks in Mexico. I have learned that the things I used to think were an emergency really are not. I have learned to laugh more and stress less. Those are good things to have learned from Mexico in my book.

Laid back . . . we can do it later . . . mañana . . . life is easy . . . relax . . .

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Sometimes we wait in Mexico

The best advice that was ever given for living in Mexico is to always carry a good book with you.

You see sometimes we need to wait in line ups. What line ups? We stand in line at the bank, the electric company, the phone company, and the water company......every bill requires a line up. You cannot pay one bill online - can you imagine?

Nobody minds - everybody is just enjoying their good books. The latest one I saw was called Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico. Why does that title sound familiar? Ha Ha! You might even want to bring extra books to give to others standing in line who forgot a book. What a nice way to make new friends!

If we ever moved and I could pay all my bills quickly without a line of some kind I know that I would miss my reading time.

There are so many advantages to living in Mexico!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Mexico - Canada; finding the humor in it all

I use this blog to write a lot of humorous things about life here in Mexico; but I do want to state that I love Mexico. I would not live here if I did not love it and its wonderful people. I try to embrace all the differences that I find between here and my home country of Canada. I feel very fortunate to be able to experience it all - in all of its wild glory!

Humor, for me, is one of the best ways to embrace these cultural differences. I am even able to look at Canada now with a great deal of humor! I maintain that to laugh at oneself is healthy. I figure that at this rate between the ways of both Mexico and Canada, I'll be well into my hundreds before I kick off!

You know, amazingly, so much is the same too - but there is no humor in that.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Who gets mail in Mexico?

We got more mail today - but it wasn't ours.

We got three letters and all had different addresses - but none of them were even close to our address.

Does anybody wonder about the Mexican mail delivery system like I do?

I used to tell friends and family not to write because the iguanas that deliver mail here in Mexico are slow. Now I add that they can't read anyway.

Besides, who really wants to know what their phone bill is until they go to pay it?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Renewing your car permit in Mexico

Last weekend we travelled to Chetumal and the Belize border because it was time for us to renew our vehicle permit. We have foreign plates so we need to renew our permit once a year - it is tied to our FM3. The question may be; why did we have to travel three and a half hours away from our home in Playa del Carmen? The answer would be; because they closed all of the other offices who renewed vehicle permits in the whole state of Quintana Roo! Only in Mexico you say? Maybe.

I thought this adventure would give me lots to write about - after all anything involving paperwork in Mexico can usually be reason to keep a sense of humor....... but this was not the case. I am happy to report we were in and out with our new permit in hand within 15 minutes! The staff at this border office were very friendly and efficient. Only in Mexico you say? Maybe.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

No key - No mall opening in Mexico

I went to yoga class this morning but I did not get a yoga class this morning. Why?

Well, let me start with the fact that my class is in a dance studio on the second level of a small mall here in Playa del Carmen. I arrived to find most of the class standing outside the doors of the mall with the caretaker on the inside. Our teacher shows up and asks him to open the door - he tells her he has no key to open the locks on the front mall doors! We can try the owner if we have a cellular phone and he then holds up a sign with the phone numbers to call.

No one answers at the numbers he gave us. We must go home and the mall will stay closed until they find the keys. How did he get in?

Only in Mexico, you say? I think so. Sigh.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

The joy of Zip Lining in Mexico

I went zip lining over the Mexican jungle this weekend. Here is the definition of a zip line from Wikipedia:

A zip-line (also known as a flying fox, zip wire, aerial runway, death slide or tyrolean crossing) consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. They are designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley.

Yep, did you catch the death slide part? I did a death slide! I am so glad I only looked this up on my return. I was a little scared before I did it. I mean I was only there to support to my friends starting a new business. I am a good friend aren't I?

So there I am hanging thousands of miles off the ground in a harness attached to a cable ..... whoops there I go..... was I supposed to go then? Is everything hooked up? ......I'm now whizzing across the line above the jungle feeling like a bird and ...... wait I feel no fear anymore. I did four different lines - no, no fear - only a feeling of freedom.

This is fun. I must remember to thank my friends. They turned out to be pretty good friends. Can I do it again? Only 12 or so more times - please?

This new adventure is down by Bacalar. It's called BioMaya. Just e-mail me for details.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Mexico - a tad humid in the Summer?

Yep, once again it is summer and here I am in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, enjoying the intense heat, intermittent rain showers, and increasing humidity. Yippee!

Here are the pluses I have so far come up with ....

- My skin is dewy soft and supple. I'm going to look years younger!
- My fine, straight hair is once again naturally full bodied and curly!
- I don't have to water the grass anymore!
- The pool is finally warm enough to use!

Life is always good when you choose to look for the good stuff!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

I need two fridges in Mexico!

I have two fridges in my Mexican kitchen and would entertain the idea of a third if I could only find the space for it. Why you ask?

Let me tell you .........

One is for regular fridge items like food and leftovers; the other is for drinks and the many food items and baking supplies that I used to keep in my cupboard in Canada. You see, you deal with two little challenges in Mexico - mini ants and heat!

The ants can usually be stopped by putting EVERYTHING into plastic containers but sometimes you just need things to stay fresh in the fridge because it is just too hot in the cupboard! Also, often things are just the wrong size and shape for those containers.

So my second fridge is full of cold pop, beer and juices for when friends stop by PLUS crackers, nuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows, candy, oatmeal, cornmeal, coconut, granola and raisins.

So now that you know my stash - you'll be popping by at what time?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Delivery to your door - Only in Mexico?

In Mexico we are enjoying an experience I have never had before - it's that everything comes to you eventually! Everything comes down your street being announced with various calls, horns, whistles, or songs.

First we have the regulars: the water bottle guys come every second day - the garbage man is pretty well every day - corn is offered in a cup with cream every night - and the man with gas tanks comes twice a week.

Periodically we can also add to the list that the fruit truck comes by with whatever is in season (watermelon, oranges, mangoes, mandarins, pineapple, papaya) - the knife sharpener will whistle down the road, you are offered bread and empanadas, hammocks, clothing, plants and even the services of a photographer.

Pretty cool eh? Gotta go as I hear the fruit truck with it sounds like pineapples today.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

There is humour in getting your FM3 in Mexico

An FM3 is a foreigners work permit for Mexico. You really need to find the humour in this process or you may find yourself shaking your head in frustration. For any immigration official that may be reading this, don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to have been approved again this year. I know I am a guest in your beautiful country. But I do need to share some of the humour in the process ...........

- my husband and children were approved this year in a week. My approval came a month and a half after theirs.

- last year mine and my husbands were approved in a week; but we had to prove we could afford our children! My husband considered saying no, send them back but I managed to talk him out of it.

This work permit process could be even more fun in other countries ~ maybe I'll try it sometime!

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

Top 10 reasons to visit the beach in Mexico

It's Friday so it seems like a good day for me to share with you my top reasons for hitting the beach this weekend ................

Suzanne's Top 10 reasons to hit the Mexican beach this weekend

10. It's still hot.
9. Sometimes little fish come to kiss your feet and legs.
8. It's a good way to get a tan without getting too hot - I just stay in the water.
7. I get my husband in a swimsuit.
6. You don't have to do any work around the house - because you are not home.
5. Sand is like natures loofah.
4. Drinks taste better on the beach.
3. It's good for more tourist watching - remember I am laughing with you, not at you.
2. Where else can I use my palm tree floaty?
1. I love to feel the sand between my toes. I may keep it there until Tuesday!

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com

More things to not ask "why" about in Mexico

Every day in Mexico can be full of discovery and new delights.

Things are done differently here so don't ask why:

- Someone trenched deeply across a dirt road that was just smoothed, graded and compacted. I tell you that was a good thing because I was beginning to miss the feeling of driving through moon craters.

- The new free bonus when you rent videos are packages of cereal. Of course now I have to wait for morning before I can watch my videos so that I can eat my cereal while I watch.

- The grocery store hosts entertainment to attract shoppers and then uses up the whole parking lot for the set up so you have nowhere to park and come into shop.

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Tips for surviving the heat of Mexican summer

Oh my, it is only May and it is already hot here in Mexico! What to do? What to do?

OK here are Suzanne's top 10 heat survival tips! Ready?

10) Do everything in a swimsuit so you are ready to dive into any pool or ocean at a moments notice. Showing real estate? Jump in the pool to show them how fun it will be when they live there.

9) Go to as many movies as possible as they have air conditioning and a bonus of popcorn.

8) Keep ice, Popsicles, and ice cream in the freezer. Your choice is dependent on whether you want to buy a bigger swimsuit or not.

7) Cultivate friends who have a pool or live on the water. You have no water to swim in? I'll see you in the fall.

6) Drink lots and lots of water. Sorry, beer does not count as water.

5) Don't do anything strenuous. You don't want to waste all the water you just drank do you?

4) Now is a good time to drive everywhere as the car has air conditioning. Taking out the garbage? That requires the car.

3) Take lots of showers. Showering with your spouse conserves water.

2) Carry a portable fan everywhere that squirts water. You will be guaranteed to make lots of new friends. Don't forget to ask if they have a pool.

1) Write your friends and tell them how much fun you are having!

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Adventures in unpotting a palm tree in Mexico

This should have been a very simple procedure ............ you see we have a palm tree plant by our door that had outgrown its pot. So my husband and I found the perfect new and bigger pot to transplant it into. You would figure that the rest would be fairly simple wouldn't you? I did - but no, my husband and son managed to make a 3 hour adventure out of re potting one plant. You see the palm apparently refused to come out of its old pot. The idea was to be very gentle to save the old pot for another plant ........

The boys slid a machete between the dirt and the pot all the way around - a tug - no movement. OK, try poking it out from the hole on the bottom of the pot - no movement. Make the hole at the bottom bigger and try to poke it our again - no movement. OK, hang it upside down off a 6 foot concrete wall and shake - no movement. Try to pound it out - still no movement. Finally - give up on saving the pot and throw it from the wall onto the gravel. Well, it made quite a hole in the gravel but the pot and plant are still intact.

My husband finally tells our son the golden words he had been hoping for - to go get the hammer. One swing and the pot becomes history and the palm tree is free!

It looks lovely in its new pot by our door - but it is a good thing the pot is large because I don't think the boys want to do that again very soon!

Long live the Mexican palm trees - and their pots!

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Mail delivery in Mexico

OK. Maybe some areas of Mexico are better at mail delivery than Playa del Carmen, but mail delivery here never ceases to amaze me. I have told family and friends to not bother trying to mail anything to us. I tease it is because the iguanas (who I say deliver the mail) are very slow. Really it is because I don't want to go into the following details:

- my mailing address is about 9 lines long but does not coincide with any recognizable street address.

- most areas do not even have street signs.

- very few people even attempt to put their house number on the wall - probably because they are not sure what it is.

- the mail we do get can usually be found somewhere in the yard having been tossed through the gate.

- It is usually not our mail.

Here is an amusing example: the bank statement I picked up today that was lying inside our yard had been folded up like origami! I say very creative - but again it was not our statement. I am eagerly awaiting the paper airplane.

I say save postage and buy a plane ticket and deliver our mail and presents in person! Aren't I thoughtful to save you the money on a stamp?

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Finding the best in Mexico

I live every day looking for the best. It would not matter where I lived I would find all the good things and pretty well ignore anything else. Now, I live in Mexico and I tell you, there are plenty of good things..........

- tacos al pastor for 4 pesos ( 40 cents) each - really friendly people - a lot of bumpy roads that cause you to go slow and enjoy life - nice people who compliment you even when your Spanish is very bad - hot days so that you really enjoy a cold drink - lots of lights that are not well timed so you have time to appreciate your surroundings while stopped - late dinners so you have a good reason to go out and enjoy beautiful evenings - delicious coconut ice cream made from real coconuts ..................

What are the good things about where you live?

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Top 10 things to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

The weekend is here again. So today I thought I would share the top 10 things a foreigner who has become a local likes to do on the weekend in Playa del Carmen, Mexico:

10. Sit on 5th Ave. and count the sunburned tourists. Look for the men wearing socks with sandals as they are obviously Canadian.

9. Go to the beach and eat shrimp tacos.

8. Visit with friends at the beach while eating shrimp tacos.

7. Go to the movies because they are air conditioned, have great seats, popcorn with hot sauce, and are cheap. Playa del Carmen has three different movie theaters now with about 19 viewing options.

6. Go swimming - in the ocean, a pool or a cenote. Why? Because it feels really good.

5. Go to the beach in the evening (when it is really quiet) and look out on the ocean in the moonlight and really remember why you came here.

4. Have a party - any reason is a reason for a party!

3. Go shopping just for fun - Playa has three big malls now.

2. Leave town because it is the weekend and visit Bacalar or Merida.

1. Still # one - Sleep in a hammock.

Enjoy the weekend!

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Freebies in Mexico

I bought napkins today and got a free plastic sandwich container in the package. The other day I rented videos and got free toilet paper. I am always buying packages of tortillas with free scoops and other odd things in them.

My question is: Is this only in Mexico? Or does it happen in all countries and I am just out of touch?

I love it! I love getting free things with my purchase. Admittedly my house fills up with odd nic- nacs that I may never use, but I like my bonuses!

Tomorrow I am going back to the store so that I can buy the crackers that come with a T-shirt. Who can't use another t-shirt?

Enjoy the Adventure, Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Coca Cola in Mexico

I notice Mexicans seem to drink a lot of Coke. It is not uncommon to see people here drinking coke for breakfast. It must be for the energy and sugar right? It is probably what helps keep them awake during the hot days.

I have learned not to ever throw a party in Mexico without having a lot of Coke on hand. It is also important to have rum and lots of ice too. After all it is not only Mexicans that like their Coke.

It is not my job to figure out why Mexicans seem to drink a lot of Coke, but it is important I immerse myself in the culture right? I guess I better try a Coke! Who wants to join me?

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

What does a clock really mean in Mexico?

The clock seems to have a different meaning in Canada than it does in Mexico. They may look the same and have the same numbers but they seem to have different meanings and even different levels of importance between the countries.

I was schooled never to be late. In fact, it is best to be early. In Mexico, time seems to be of less importance - late is OK, even expected. I think that in Mexico, time is often just used as a guidepost and you can give or take an hour easily. As you can imagine this really becomes hilarious when you combine my early with my Mexican friends late.

What are the pluses to this time discrepancy? Well, I can make new friends while waiting, I can get to eat two dinners, I can shop twice as much, I can get more coffee drinking done, or I can catch up on my reading.

I must say it felt very liberating as I learned to use this Mexican concept of time in my life. I became less stressed and less harried. I learned to relax and that usually nothing is an emergency. Ah the freedom! I do miss out on those double dinners these days but I think I have more fun with life and that I am definitely slimmer.

The challenge will be switching back when I am meeting another Canadian. No, it will be best to adapt them to this new and better way of thinking of time. I'll know whether they got it or not by how full they look when I arrive.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Living your dream in Mexico

What do you do when you have a dream that is so big and bold that to live it you need to move to another country?

The dream for my husband and I was to live in a tropical place with palm trees and beautiful beaches. Mexico beckoned to us invitingly. “Come play here,” is what we kept hearing.

Then our questions came: Will it work out? Can we really do it? Is it possible for us?

When I look back at our decision and what it took to make our dream happen - leaving friends and family, leaving our beautiful house, leaving the majority of our stuff behind, leaving a secure income, leaving the known to go live in the unknown (and doing it with kids)..........I can see that if we were not clear in our choice it would have been very, very hard to pursue this dream.We actually did do all that and more because we were very clear on what our dream was and we knew in our heart of hearts we could make it work - that there was something special for us here in Mexico.

It turns out our inner guidance guided us well. We didn't leave it all - we gained it all. The only thing that was important in Canada to us was our friends and family and we still have them (although many refuse to stay there and keep coming to visit us here). We now have even more friends in our lives and so many beautiful experiences. We are living an adventure and have given our children an experience they would have not otherwise had.

Is living this dream we chose all a bed of roses? Nope – no way. Of course we have our challenges. Who wouldn’t have some challenges living in a foreign country? Did I mention we have kids? Kids alone can be a challenge. I will say though that if part of your dream is adventure – you have a winner here. I love the adventure of living in and exploring another country. Anyway, who is going to focus on the challenges when you are busy living your dream?

I have learned we can choose where we want to live and we can choose our reality. One person’s fantasy is another’s reality.

If you feel a dream to live in another country in your heart - in your gut - if you can hear the call, there is a reason for that and it needs to be honored in some form. Sometimes you just have to take the first steps and see what happens. At least ask the questions you need to so that you can decide if this really is for you. Then if it really is your dream – figure out the way to live it! Maybe I’ll see you in Playa del Carmen soon.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

The Real Mexico

The “Real Mexico” – what is that??? Really, how many ways are there to describe Mexico? Fifty people could go to the same city and I bet they would come away with 40 different experiences. What part of town did you go to? What did you look at? What did you focus on? Who did you meet? How did you treat the people you met? The variables go on and on.

Mexico is so diverse that you can buy raw chicken from the back of someone’s truck for lunch and then dine at a 5 star restaurant for dinner. You can be shopping in an open air market with raw meat hanging all around you at 10:00 and shopping in Sam’s Club or a big box grocery store by 11:00.

How you live in Mexico can be as varied as the people.

When we go to Merida for instance, we usually choose an upper end hotel like the Hyatt because it is different than the life we have chosen to live the rest of the time. Let me explain . . . . .

Our house is in an area of town called the Ejido; that is where many working class Mexicans live. We tried renting in the ritzy area of town, and enjoyed it for awhile, but we got tired of the tourists! We now have the perfect house for us with a beautiful private yard. But sometimes we want a change ......

My life in Mexico is almost as diverse as the country itself.

What would you like to experience to know the real Mexico? How much time do you have? Come for a visit - but be ready for anything.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Life Coach and Author

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now at http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Driving in Mexico

Driving in Mexico is different. Left hand turns from right hand lanes in some of the states and not others would only be the beginning of the story........

How about how the buses and taxi drivers drive? They are all crazy! I think that they think they are driving at a race track. Anyone who has lived or driven in Mexico is by now nodding knowingly.

Driving in Playa del Carmen is crazy and bumpy. Let me explain ..... I live in an area called the Ejido and we have some dirt roads that have become more a series of potholes than a road. Most people drive all over the road to try and avoid as many potholes as possible - not me! I say if we are going to have them, we might as well enjoy them. Some mornings I drive slow so I can feel the car dance and digest my breakfast at the same time. Sometimes I try my dad's fly over them method (don't tell my husband). Every day can be different and never boring.

I am especially amused by the fact they filled and compressed one fairly main road so there were no more potholes. I guess that was considered no fun because within days large trenches had been dug across the road in multiple places to slow people down. We are happily back to that pothole feeling.

Guess what else? Rainy season is coming. That means free swimming holes will be available on our road!

Would I change anything or complain? No way. Some people have to pay at Disney World for this kind of adventure.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Life Coach and Author

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now at http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Humor with pizza in Mexico

Yesterday afternoon I went to Sam's Club, here in Playa del Carmen to pick up some groceries and I figured while there I would order a deluxe pre-made pizza to bring home for an easy dinner.

Now here is the funny part - when I went to the counter to order I am told by the young man behind the counter that they only have 5 cheese pizza available today. No, I cannot have any other kind of pizza and I cannot add toppings because they only have 5 cheese pizza. Shall I mention they have a store full of toppings and they do make the pizzas there? No, this is simply another don't ask why in Mexico occasion.

Only in Mexico you say? Or only in Playa del Carmen you say? I chose not to order pizza and went with Chinese. Life is full of Adventure.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Life Coach and Author

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now at http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

The Top 10 reasons to read: Only in Mexico, You Say?

Yes the rumor is true, I have written a book. In my quest to promote it, I consulted with my mastermind group and the following are our best reasons to buy and read it:

10. It works as a tortilla (tor-tee-ya) warmer. Put the tortillas between the pages and place in the sun. It will make your tortillas warm and keep them flat at the same time.

9. Sunlight will reflect well off of the white pages and onto your face for an even tan as you read.

8. It can double as a cover up if you fall asleep at the beach. Buy enough copies to cover all important parts.

7. If you find yourself in a Mexican immigration office you will need at least 6 hours of reading material.

6. You can make more friends in the immigration office by giving extra copies freely to others who did not plan ahead. Note: Do not sell or rent them in this situation as this may cause you to be ordered to leave the country prematurely as you may be doing work without permission.

5. In case you are traveling in your RV and your parking spot is not level, it can be used as a leveler. Maybe buy 10 copies as you never know how many you may need.

4. Carry it as identification. You will now be part of the “Mexico Adventurers Club”. This club is of course, most knowledgeable on the ins and outs of traveling Mexico.

3. It may not save you from driving around in circles like a crazy person while you are touring Mexico, but if you do still get lost, you can take comfort in knowing others have been lost before you and lived to tell about it. Bad news is they may still be driving around.

2. In case you are traveling in Mexico and you find yourself in a washroom without toilet paper.

1. Because everybody is reading it and you want to know what they are laughing about.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Life Coach and Author

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now at www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Water fun in Mexico

Sunday my husband and I went out on a catamaran. We played all day in the beautiful blue Caribbean water off the coast of the Riviera Maya. I have a deeper appreciation everyday of my new holiday-land of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Now for the humorous side? I of course showered and washed my hair before we left because I wanted to look nice on the boat. After a day of sun and salt water I of course had to come home and shower and wash my hair again. Ah, the challenges of life in paradise. At least I am always very clean.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

Life Coach and Author

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now at http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Create a wild Mexican weekend

The weekend is almost here!

In case you do not have the pleasure of living in a Mexican beach side town I'll give you some tips on how you too can enjoy the feel of a wild and wonderful Mexican weekend. Ready? Here we go .........

Idea #1. Bring a load of sand into a room of your house - set up a sun umbrella, bring out the plastic pails and shovels, and fill a cooler full of cold drinks. Enjoy - you will be the envy of all your friends.

Idea #2. Turn the heat way up in your house or apartment - put on your shorts and tank top - use a hand held fan - maybe one that squirts water. For extra fun sit by the window and look out at your neighbors in sweaters or the people in their winter coats going by on the road and wave at them as you fan yourself.

Idea #3. Cook Mexican - find Mexican cookbooks and then scour the town for all the ingredients you need for these special dishes - make a lot of mess with the ingredients and dirty all the pots and pans - and then decide you are too tired to cook and order pizza - just like I do!

Enjoy the weekend!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Children and Easter break in Mexico

My kids will be off school starting tomorrow for two weeks as all of Mexico celebrates Easter week and Holy week. That has an upside and a downside as I love to spend time with my two teenagers but it is hard to get much work done. Yes, I am a parent that has the privilege of working from home.

What to do with them? I would suggest the beach - however, my daughter hates the beach because it has salt water and sand - yuck! She doesn't like to swim in our pool either - chlorine and more water! Imagine living in Playa del Carmen and having a daughter who doesn't like the beach or water. My son likes to skim board now but that is only good for about an hour and then he is bored of it. By the time I make sure he has suntan lotion on and get him there it is hardly worth it.

My daughter loves to bake - but that means I have to do the dishes because she baked and that is only fair because she does the dishes when I cook - but did I mention I have to do the dishes? They could finally clean up their rooms - yes right. Yard work? Not a chance. They could hang out with friends - that usually means a request for money though as their needs are always many whenever they go out.

Yep, I am looking forward to two weeks of bonding with my children. Maybe I could go to my husbands office? Hmm, there is an idea ............

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Don't bother asking "why" when in Mexico

Mexico is a very diverse and interesting country. I moved here from Canada because I wanted to experience a different culture, a different language, a different way of life, and a different way of looking at things. Sometimes though somethings can get just a little frustrating . . . . . . . . . .

I could ask why are all the roads in my little town of Playa del Carmen all dug up and being worked on at once causing huge traffic jams? . . . . . . . . I could ask why did you have to dig up and refill my road three times to put in the sewer lines? . . . . . . I could ask why wont you accept a bill with a very small tear that was given to me from the bank? . . . . . . . I could ask why do some towns in Mexico like Puerto Vallarta have you make left hand turns from right hand lanes?

You get the picture. But why should I focus on that when I have this beautiful paradise that I chose to live in? Sometimes I walk, sometimes I take the workers on the sewer line a drink, I can pay with another bill and find someone less picky to take this bill with the tiny tear. I don't really need to ask why, I just need to enjoy the difference. I can treasure the difference because I chose it.

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Do we enjoy our company in Mexico?

First, my name has been changed to protect the innocent. To the assorted six weeks of company that we just had arrive and leave one after the other, this has nothing to do with you and is definitely not about you.

When we live in a Mexican paradise – is it any great surprise company is going to want to come? No, we expect visitors, but we always picture it will be way later – even years from now – I mean you just moved here only 5 short years ago right? But no, they wont wait, one day we all get that fateful call or email with the news that friends or family are coming for a visit, then life changes.

What to do we think? Then the answers become obvious – you only need to do a few things. Change the beds, clean the house, paint the house, fix the leaky tap, fix the door, fix everything that needs fixing, wash the curtains, bake some cookies, wash the car, dust the plants, fix up the garden, and stock up on food and alcohol. Boy, by the time the company comes you’re ready for a holiday. Admit it. But do they want to lie around and relax with you? No way! What do you mean now we have to play tour guide?

The company has finally left? Quickly change the beds, wash the linens, re paint, clean the house and buy more food and alcohol because now it is all gone and you really need it. Have the family congratulate each other on a job well done and all pass out on the couch. Do not answer the phone, the door or check your e-mail for at least a month – incase they want to come back or someone else wants to come. Change your email and street address to prevent this. Who lives in Mexico?

Just kidding Mom and Dad!

Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available now on my site www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com