Mexican New Year

Tonight is New Years Eve and there will be many festivities in town – parties, street parties, fireworks, great food and drinks. It probably sounds a lot like where you live – isn’t it interesting how in every country things can be so different and yet many things are the same?

We will be heading down to the beach again to ring it in. Are you surprised? I’ll be counting my blessings of how fortunate I feel to be able to live in Mexico with my husband and children as I gaze out over the ocean with the distant lights of Cozumel and the twinkling blanket of stars over us. I will probably have no jacket on (Big Smile).

I don’t know how late we will stay there but I do know that whenever we get home the neighborhood parties will still be in full swing. Well if we can’t sleep we can always join them.

By the way, one fun tradition that is observed in Mexico is the eating of 12 grapes - one with each stroke of the chiming bell at midnight. This is to bring good luck for the coming year.

May your New Year be full of fun, love, prosperity and travel.

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/.

Our Mexican Christmas

First you put the turkey in the oven then you go to the beach for a swim in the ocean.

Christmas in Mexico for us is a wonderful blend of old and new traditions. We put the tree up after we have gone swimming in the pool in our yard. We still string up lights outside but they are in the palm trees.

I’m going to go for a practice swim right now. I really love a tropical Christmas!

May your Christmas be filled with many wonderful old and new traditions!


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/.

Our Mexican Gingerbread House

This is a tradition from Canada that we finally decided to reinstate last year. We did not make a gingerbread house for several years after we moved to Mexico because I was concerned ants would carry it away. Anyone who has lived in or visited a tropical climate will know the validity of my concern. Ants love food, especially sugar!

However last year our gingerbread house was just fine as we built it on a board which we placed on an upside down pie pan in a jelly roll pan. This created room for a moat that we filled with water. Ants can’t swim! Not one ant was found near the house. The only challenge the house encountered was the erosion caused by my 15 year old son slowly eating all the candy!

This picture is our result this year. From our house to yours, Merry Christmas!

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/.

A Mexico Holiday - How to be a good house guest

Blend Christmas with high season and it means company will definitely be coming to our house in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Well the truth is I do love company so I am indeed happy - especially when the company knows how to be a great house guest.

How can you be great company for someone who lives in Mexico? Just bring lots of stuff that we still can’t get here. In my case it would be chocolate Oreo cookie crumbs, graham wafer crumbs, Dream Whip, instant puddings, large jars of crunchy peanut butter, and vitamin C caplets (I can only find horse size tablets here). You get the idea, so ask your hosts what they need.

When we still lived in Canada, we visited friend who were living in Thailand. They had a ton of stuff they wanted that they could not get there. We brought it all but did not really understand the pleasure of receiving it until we moved to Mexico.

Also, tell your hosts that you just came to chill and that we do not have to entertain you! Feel free to strike out on your own sometimes. Don’t ask a lot of questions about why they do things this way or anyway here as we don’t know either. Oh and bring a bottle of tequila back to the house with you now and then.

Enjoy your holidays! I know your friends or family that you are visiting will love your visit.

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/.

My road is paved!

Joy to the world! The road in front of my house here in Mexico is now paved.

That’s all my news for today. It is a perfect example of Mexican mañana time as it only took five years. I don’t care my road is paved – my road is paved – my road is paved.

I knew it would happen! I think ... maybe.

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/.

Mexico - high season is almost here!

It is the beginning of December and high season in Mexico will soon be here. If you are interested the official Mexico high season start date is December 15th. Now what does that actually mean for those of us who live in a high tourist area like Playa del Carmen?

It means there will be a lot more people in town and way more activity. Party! Party! Party!

There is a buzz and an excitement as we are joined by people from all over the world. So many different languages spoken!

It also means increased traffic and it may be a little harder to find parking spaces in some areas – but who cares? The humidity is gone and the temperature is perfect. Except for a few mornings when we will awake to a bone chilling 16 degrees Celsius! That by the way is 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit!

You can tell the locals in winter because we are wearing long sleeve shirts, sweaters, scarves and boots. The tourists will be seen in shorts and bikinis.

So do you wanna come play? You can wear whatever you want.

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/.

Do you live in Mexico City? An invitation

As you know my husband and our business partner have expanded on their real estate business in Playa del Carmen and they are now the owners and developers of a project in Bacalar, Mexico called Las Flamboyanes.

Our partner Jorge Penkoff just left this morning to do 3 evenings of presentations on the project in Mexico City. (Jorge is fluent in English and Spanish).

The dates are the 26, 27 and 28th of November at 7:30 PM and the location is The Hotel Marquis Reforma, Salon Paseo, Paseo de la Reforma 465, Col. Cuauhtemoc.

Now is the best time to get involved because the introductory prices are so low

If you get a chance to go see Jorge, please tell him Suzanne sent you. How fun that would be!

Online details about the project are here.

Watch for an anouncement of presentations in Vernon and Kelowna in the Okanagan coming in the new year.

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/.

Mexico and my paved road

I’m getting a paved road in front of my house!

Isn’t that cool? Funny that I would be excited about that isn’t it?
Do you have a paved road and take it for granted? I used to.

This is an odd and rambling story but in its way it does depict life sometimes in Mexico. It is a life I love by the way, often because of the fact that it is different.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you will note that several times I have mentioned my road that used to be paved five years ago when we bought our house. Then you may have read my mentioning that four years ago they tore it up to put in underground sewer. That part was great but they never did repave it so the potholes grew and mini lakes formed in rainy season. It was all very adventurous!

What is my news now? Three weeks ago they graded it and compacted it. I must admit it is looking pretty good even with just that – it is certainly easier and more pleasurable to drive on.

The littlest glitch is that now my road workers have disappeared. My neighbors and I cannot find them. However, I know they will return – I am an optimist. So I am going to tell you my road is almost paved. It is so close that it is almost paved and that makes me happy.

Just another little glimpse of living in Mexico.

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/.

Bacalar, Mexico - want to own there?

Here’s a quick update for you on my husband’s Los Flamboyanes Bacalar project in case you are thinking of owning property in Mexico.

Have you seen the site http://www.losflamboyanesbacalar.com/ since they marked the Sold/reserved lots? Their office has been working with clients from all over the USA, Canada, and Mexico and it has been amazing to see the different points of view people have during this time.

Many people see this as a time of great opportunity; others get scared of the future and become paralyzed. I can totally understand how this can happen. We were recently in Florida and it was shocking the amount of bad news on the radio, TV, and bill boards, basically you were bombarded with the negative side of every possible situation – it can be hard to think differently.

Moving forward into the unknown future can be difficult but those who keep their focus are the winners. I know for sure tomorrow will come, and then the day will come that we will want to move or even retire and have an easy life in a beautiful location where we can afford to live a great lifestyle. We’ll be in Bacalar.

If we live life looking for the positive side wherever we can find it we will have a clear point of view that will ultimately lead us to the goal we are looking for. What is your goal? The actions we take today are going to ensure we achieve those goals tomorrow.

Have a look at the site. They have done a great job.

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/.

Day of the Dead in Mexico

A friend sent me this and I thought you would enjoy it. I have never lived anywhere in Mexico where they actually practice this tradition, at least not that I was aware of . . . . . .

On November 1st we celebrate day of the dead in Mexico, a tradition that seems to be mostly lost or modernized in the big cities of Mexico. Lucky for me though, there are many, many tiny towns where old traditions and even prehispanic languages are still preserved. So on Saturday night I went with a couple friends to a town called Cucuchucho (yes that is spelled right...) near Morelia, to see the real tradition.

We went to the graveyard where the families had decorated the tombs of their deceased family members with a traditional orange flower called Zempazuchil and candles. They leave food offering so that the souls will have food and candles so they have light to guide them. They put up wooden frames and cover them with the orange flowers (some even have creative shapes) which are believed to be the door for the soul to come though at midnight and the whole family stays by the grave all night (even the kids) chatting and eating.

It was a beautiful thing to experience, there was such a different energy there then one would imagine for a grave yard. There were kids running around asking for money to buy a sugar skull (which is a Mexican version of trick or treating, but now with the north American influence they are happy if you give them candy too). So we went to the town and found an open store to buy some candy to give them.

On the way back we went to the main town square and had corundas for dinner (a Mexican food that is like a corn bread wrapped in banana leaves and served with cream and salsa verde). The girl that served us told us all about the traditions and the town festivals, she said they had a party for something or another almost every week so we should go back there as often as we can to see their different customs.

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/.

Mexico Sunshine

Well after about three weeks of rain the sun seems to be back out in Playa del Carmen! I don’t remember seeing much sunshine at all during those weeks.

I found something interesting out when the sun returned. My spirits lifted and I felt even better then my usual cheerful self. Now, you think I would have remembered this effect as I grew up in and around Vancouver, B.C. and there can be quite a few raining days there. People would get really depressed with the lack of sunshine for so many days in a row. Even I would spend every day I was home with the light on in my house to counter balance the lack of sun. I called it artificial sunshine.

Now I live in this beautiful tropical climate where the majority of my days are sunny and I had not even thought of that for a long time. It is interesting the difference the sun can make in our moods. I bet everyone in Playa starts to have better days now.

What’s another bonus to the sunshine being back? I can now do my laundry and hang it out on the line to dry without the experience of natures second rinse cycle on it.

Also, the heavy humidity seems to be gone. No wonder they say this is the start of high season.

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/.

Mexico credit and the economy

My husband recently wrote about this and I wanted to share it with you as I too, as a foreigner living in Mexico, get many questions on this.

From: Shawn Bandick, One Stop Real Estate

Many people think because of the shifting in the market in the USA that the Mexican Real Estate market must also be flat. This is not so. They also assume if there’s a credit melt down in their area it will happen in Mexico as well. That’s not going to happen either. How can I be so sure? It’s easy, Mexico is not a credit driven economy. Most Mexicans don’t have a credit card, at best they have a debit card, and this way they are only spending the money they have.

Currently most Mexicans don’t have mortgages on their homes. Yes it might be a modest home but they built it as they had the income and they never paid the huge mortgage payments. Only in the last few years have mortgages been available and only if you could put about 20 to 30% down. That’s a very healthy no risk position for the bank. In a nut shell credit is so new to Mexico that the economy doesn’t rely upon it; therefore you will not find a credit crunch in Mexico.

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/.

Mexico and movie theatres

I love going to the movies in Mexico! Yes, we can even see them in English. In fact, most of the movies are in English with Spanish subtitles as they usually only dub the kids movies. It is funny though to go to a kid’s movie and hear characters you know well speak in a different language with a different voice.

The theaters in Mexico are excellent and the seating is well tiered so no one ever has their head in your way. It costs about the equivalent of $4.50 US and you get in for only $3.00 on weekends before 3:00 and one day of the week the price is reduced all day.

Even popcorn and snacks seem reasonable. You can get regular popcorn, enchilada popcorn, caramel popcorn and in some cinemas, light popcorn. You can even mix up the popcorn! Plus where else can you get red salsa to top off your popcorn?

So the next time you are in Mexico – where are you going to go? The Movies! I knew it. It is a worthwhile treat. It is also a great air conditioned place to hang out when it is hot. There are just so many benefits to living in Mexico .....

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/.

Mexico cost of living

Many people enquire on the cost of living in Mexico. Here is what we find ….

Our family moved to Playa del Carmen from Canada and we currently live for a little more than half of what it would cost us to live in Canada. We have friends who are retired and live here on much less than we do as we have two teenagers still in school and we pay for their schooling every month.

My husband, Shawn, constantly hears clients complain about the high property taxes they have to pay where they live. Our property taxes are less than 200 USD per year and I don’t know anyone here that pays even 500 dollars taxes per year. We also find that most food costs less and eating out is less expensive.

Remember that all this is even with the fact that we live in a very popular beach town. With inland Mexico the costs will be even less. As I have mentioned before, Merida, another beautiful city only about 4 hours away, costs even less to live in.

Yet another reason to appreciate Mexico.

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/.

Bacalar, Mexico lots

Have you visited the gorgeous and serene area of Mexico called Bacalar? Did you love it like our family did? Are you interested in the possibility of owning real estate there?

Well, I have an insider scoop for you … you see my husband, Shawn, and our real estate office partner, Jorge, are the owners and developers of a beautiful project in Bacalar, Mexico. In fact we are planning our homes for in the project.

The project is called Los Flamboyanes Bacalar http://www.losflamboyanesbacalar.com/.

This is what they sent out last week: We have heard time and time again as our clients search for the right land to build their home that they cannot find the right place without lowering their expectations and raising their budget for the land. They are looking for an easier way of life where they can live with all the normal amenities and more, for a lower cost of living than they have now.

The challenge many people see is the cost to buy land for their home here in Playa del Carmen; we have been looking for the solution. It has taken us almost three years to find the right location, with all the infrastructure and with access to a larger city center and still be able to put all the parts of a first class development (In ground services, proper roads, a water front park, as well as another park on the center) together while at the same time offering our clients the opportunity to buy their property for around forty thousand dollars.

Please take a moment and check the details on the website. Someone you know is looking for an easier lifestyle and wants to hear about this opportunity. One thing I know for sure is this kind of project, with these prices on the Caribbean coast line of Mexico, will not be seen again. Jorge and I will be building our homes there and we will have all the connections to help you do the same.

See all the details Here http://www.losflamboyanesbacalar.com/ and you can reserve your lot today. We might be neighbors!

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/.

Mexico, at night, on the beach

The moon was out and the sky was dotted with a million stars.
The beach was quiet with a few people already settled on blankets.
You could only make out their shapes.
We of course brought our blanket and settled in; our bodies made perfect contours in the sand.
One man was swimming although you really could not see him well, perhaps it was a dolphin.
Across the water, the lights were radiating out from the distant Cozumel.
You might think it was actually the lost city of Atlantis – totally magical.
It’s almost October but a warm breeze caressed our skin.
We sat in quiet awe as we once again remembered yet another reason why we moved to Mexico. Life is very good.

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/.

Mexico - What is your focus?

I love living in Mexico and I loved living in Canada; I think both are terrific holiday lands. Actually the reason our family ended up in Mexico was because my husband and I wanted adventure in a new holiday land.

You know, I do always feel like I am living a holiday with our pool, the beach nearby and the tourists always around town, so it is a pretty nice feeling. What about the adventure part? Well moving to a new country is always an adventure! Yes, even after seven years Mexico is still an adventure.

Are we happy living in Mexico? Yes, we are very happy living in Mexico; but everything has to do with ones focus. We can all find great things wherever we live if we place our focus on looking for the great things.

There is so much to love and appreciate in this world. I, personally, am grateful for the ability to transcend borders and be able to live in and enjoy Mexico at this time. After all, I live in holiday land!

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/.

Mexican Banking

Now remember I love my adoptive home of Mexico – I just find amusement with many things – like ……..

Do you want to open a Mexican bank account?

Make sure you have lots of time. It took no less than 1 and ½ hours from the time we sat in front of the service representative. This means go to the bathroom before you arrive and watch your fluid intake because banks don’t have bathrooms!

The service rep takes forever to fill out the paperwork. Then the service rep takes you to the teller who fills out more paperwork. And I already have an account with this bank!

By the way, as a foreigner to open a bank account, you will need your passport, FM3, a utility bill with your Mexican address, and the names and numbers of two people whom you can use as references. Don’t forget anything or you start again! Sounds like a fun game doesn’t it?

Does it take this much time in other countries?

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/.

Viva Aerobus update

Until further notice, the Mexican airline, Viva Aerobus is no longer flying in and out of Cancun! How do I know? They cancelled one of my flights!

What a disappointment! Yes, it is no frills and no reserved seats but it is still very pleasant and much less expensive than other airlines.

However do take note that changing or cancelling your flight is a pain! You can only make adjustments by calling their head office in Monterrey. Emails do not go through and they don’t seem to ever pick up the phone while you wait for a service rep and the call is not toll free!

The adventure of air travel in Mexico ….

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/.

One child in Mexican university

When we moved our kids here I had no idea at least one would want to stay in Mexico to go to University. Does it make a difference? Of course not, it is just a surprise that I did not think of it.
It makes perfect sense of course; she is now more comfortable with the expectations and culture of Mexico than of Canada. So she is staying in Mexico, but moving far away from us to go to a Mexican University.

I am proud of her and know she will adapt well no matter where she is and what she decides to do. I think that is a gift moving to Mexico gave our kids – the ability to adapt.

Moving to Mexico with kids? Life is always interesting.

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/.

Mexico - can be big changes

Mexico – living here can mean huge changes.

For many it is a change in language – it can be a little frustrating when you don’t understand someone. It can take time and patience to learn a new language.

Then there is the change in culture - people respond differently to situations, the work ethic can be different, the customs and behavior are different.

There is also the change of people as friends and family are left behind; you have to make new friends.

What will you do for work? What will you do with your spare time? Where will you live?
Change, change, change – for me it is all part of the adventure.

Is all the change worth it? It is absolutely worth it. At least in my eyes, it is absolutely worth it.
It is all part of the adventure of life.

Want to come and play?

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/.

Mexico and the living is easy ...

Pull up a hammock and let’s chat. Would you like a cold drink?

Some people seem to think life has to be difficult – that we need to struggle from one thing to another and that anything we want to do must be hard. I don’t buy into that.

I think life can be easy. We just need to choose our focus. When we tell ourselves it will be easy it usually is. When we expect easy – it usually is. It is all in our thoughts.

Come to Mexico and concentrate on what you love to do and all the good things that surround you. Expect easy and you will create easy.

In fact Mexico has siestas built in. Siestas are easy. It isn’t their fault if we don’t follow custom.

Living anywhere can be easy or hard. It is always our choice. What do you choose to create?
I pick the easy life in Mexico.

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/.

Mexico - Are you daring?

Are you still considering a possible move?

It is always our choice.

There are always many options – living in Mexico part time, holidaying for longer, trial moves, all out moves ….

Something to consider is that we can stay with the same old same old because it is safe – because we know it – because it is easy. Or we can be daring and make a change. We can start the process to live our dreams.

We can be living life to the fullest – whatever that means to us.

So how do you want to live life full out? Let me know if I can be of help.

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/.

Moving to Mexico - steps to the goal

Are you considering moving to Mexico? What are my suggested steps?

One is to Visualize – close your eyes.
What is your paradise?
Where is it?
What does it look like?
What are you doing?
Who are you with?
What do you smell?
What do you taste?
What are you hearing?
What are you seeing?

Create the perfect vision and hold it. Got it? Get the details down so that it is easy to summon anytime – because that is your goal. You cannot get to your goal unless you are clear what it is. Your vision is what will help to keep you on the path to your dream - because it is your dream.

Now you can create it in reality – Now that you have the picture, now you can figure out how to make it happen. What are the easy steps? List your questions. Ask the people already here. Check out the books written by people living here (see my link below). What do you need to have in place to make the move?

The steps to our dreams can be quite simple really. By the way, is it still Mexico?

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/.

Moving to Mexico - Are you thinking about it?

One of the biggest things that usually stands in the way of and stops us from living many of our dreams is FEAR.

What fear? Let’s see, perhaps it is thoughts like ….. Maybe I can’t, I have never done anything like this before, my neighbors haven’t done this – can I? What if I don’t like it? How can I make everything work? This is scary.….. But you still have this pull from within you to Mexico; you have this inner desire to move - what to do?

My suggestions are: Find the people, who have gone before you, they can be your advisors. Look for proof it can be done - my family did it. Research what you need to know – use the internet, the library, books, maps. . . . Ask the questions. There does not have to be many surprises or any FEAR on your road to Mexico.

Go ahead and do the research. There may be less to fear than you think.

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/.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is my paradise.

I love the palm trees and warm weather – I actually counted all the ways Mexico is my paradise last week.

It is not always perfect, but it is my paradise.

Where is your paradise? Do you have an idea? Is it a specific place or does it just embody certain characteristics?

My suggestion is don’t wait for your paradise. Find your paradise and enjoy it now.
Then you are living life to the fullest.

So where is your paradise? Maybe you are already experiencing it!

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.

Mexico's answer to speeding? Speed bumps!

Speed bumps are everywhere - everywhere!!

Playa del Carmen must have just gotten a new shipment of yellow dome speed bumps because city workers are zealously installing them all over town.

We now have big speed bumps on the highways as well as assorted sized speed bumps on most every other street you can find. The brand new bright yellow ones are the prettiest though.

I guess they are to make us slow down and notice the scenery. There is always a plus side if you look hard enough!

I wonder if you hit them at high speed if you would fly? Oh, that’s just the kid in me.
Wasn’t me officer. Really - by the way, nice speed bumps.

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

Mexico and Playa del Carmen - I love it!

What do I love the most about Mexico? Let me think .....

Feel free to visualize with me here …

Let’s start with food - Shrimp tacos, pastor tacos, and fresh fish …. Honestly I think you can eat some of the best food in the world here and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. We eat out way more often since we moved to Mexico.......

I love the laid back life style,
The eclectic mix of people,
The palm trees,
The beautiful beach and ocean,
The fresh pineapples and mangoes,
The friendly people,
Eating dinner with my feet in the sand,
The temperature, because no winter clothes are needed,
I laugh more,
I threw away all my pantyhose!
I play in the sand.
I have fewer have to do’s and fewer should do’s.
I feel freedom and I feel safe in Mexico.
Well that’s a start . . . . Anybody else have more to add?

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

Playa del Carmen and sandy toes

My husband and I have a saying – if you live in Playa del Carmen and don’t have sand between your toes you should have.

For those of us who live here – we can get caught up in the day to day routine of things that need to be done and we can often forget to enjoy the simple pleasures such as the beach (which happens to be one of the biggest reasons we moved here!).

It is all about taking the time to enjoy life – life can be too short – we have no guarantees – enjoy it now – enjoy it every day. Make time to play in the sand. Who wants to wake up one day and say – I wish I had remembered to take the time to play in the sand?

Do you have sand between your toes? I’m headed to the beach now!

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

Mexico's Mastercard ad

I have a new ad to run in the MasterCard ad series.

The other night my husband and I were walking the beach at dusk and this gave me the layout for the ad ….. At one of the little beachside bar/cafes we see a man sprawled out on his chair, hat over his eyes, resting with his feet in the sand – empty beer bottle by his side. Happy people were talking all around him – he is oblivious to it all.

The ad reads …. Flight $500 beer $1.50 Relaxation - priceless.

Enjoy Mexico (that’s the tourism board ad). I think we are all just walking MasterCard and tourism board ads around here!

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/.

Mexico - no pretention

Things often get done a little differently in Mexico. Okay sometimes things are done a lot differently. That is why those of us who chose to live here – usually love it. We were looking for something a little different.

Mexico is a country that does not pretend to be perfect, does not seem to care care if it is perfect and does not say it is perfect.

Maybe something we should all strive for. I find life is much easier if we don’t always need to strive for perfection.

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/.

The Mexican Dream

What is your dream? Is it to travel to Mexico? Is it to live in Mexico? Is it to buy property in Mexico?

If you would like some help and some ongoing positive reinforcement, I have an online coaching club to provide empowerment for living all kinds of dreams and our newest section is focused on how to move to another country. I even have a free trail month as a gift to you. Click here to see the club.

I’m Suzanne Marie Bandick and I help people live their dreams. I started writing books and became a life coach because why should only a few of us have all the fun?

I also moved from Canada to Mexico. The fun continues every day.

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/.

Mexico and the art of relaxation

One of the keys to living life to the fullest in Mexico is to relax! Isn’t that why we are here? So that we can finally get away from stresses and relax? So let’s relax. Everything will work out while we are at the beach or hanging in our hammock. This may take some practice – but we need to practice the art of relaxation daily.

Some scenarios in Mexico … Will no one show up when they say they will? Yep! Relax. Will it all get done anyway? Yep. Relax.

Let’s practice now … Where are you going to be? Will you be at the pool? Will you be on the beach? Will you be in your hammock? Will you be sipping something cool with friends on your sundeck? Yep! Good ideas!

By the way, if you have not totally mastered the language? Hand gesturing and charades are a great pastime here. Mexicans are generally a very gracious people – they are just happy to have us try and will keep repeating as often as we need to make us understand.

Will you sometimes need a translator even when you think you know Spanish? Yep. Did you know a few people even talk in Mayan here? Adds to the fun! Relax!

I guarantee that often you will not even know why they do things the way they do here. And does it matter? Nope! What are we busy doing? Relaxing - We are living life to the fullest in a paradise.

We must do what we must do – practice the art of relaxation. I vow to keep practicing until I get it right. How about you?

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/.

Mexico - Real Estate and Speed Bumps

Mexico has its ups and downs – you know - the potholes and speed bumps. I have noticed that Mexicans seem to like one or the other. If the road doesn’t have a pothole they are going to put in a speed bump (even if it is a big, thick rope dragged across the road) …..

Seriously though, any place can have its ups and downs – it is all on what you choose to focus on. We can focus on the fact that something happens slowly or the fact that it allows us to slow down.
Will you hit some speed bumps buying in Mexico, moving to Mexico or living in Mexico? Yep! The speed bumps are all part of the adventure of life! Every speed bump is a reminder to remember to slow down and appreciate the view. Again, it’s really all about focus – Always be aware that you can choose your focus. Our focus – our attitude is everything.

When you try to buy real estate in a different country than you live in, or relocate somewhere different – will things be done differently? Yep! Will they sometimes take longer than expected? Will they sometimes way longer than expected? Yep! Just pick your advisors carefully and then trust them. Expect everything to be different because that is one of the reasons why you are making the move.

We bought Ejido property here in Mexico (similar to Indian land) and it took us a year before the property and title was in our name even though we had fully paid for it. There were no worries because we had a local lawyer we trusted and all the details were written in the contract. We learned, knew and trusted the system and our advisors. That actually makes the difference of if you sleep at night or not. How can you live life to the fullest – if you can’t sleep at night?

The right advisors and finding those who have gone before you can help you avoid many of the speed bumps and potholes in Mexico.

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/.

Why move to Mexico?

Mexico beckons many of us. What is that call to us all about?

Let me share what called to us and what our family found in Mexico ……..

Beautiful weather year round … a more relaxed life style … it gave us an opportunity to create a different life and consciously choose what we wanted in it … we could learn a new language and have fun with hand gestures … we not only learn about, but experience day to day all about another culture … we see palm trees … beautiful beaches and ocean … and then there is the creation of more quality time with family.

Granted some of these things we could have changed or experienced where we used to live, but it was much more fun and adventurous to do it in Mexico!

If any of these appeal to you - when are you coming to visit and check it out?

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.

International Living Conference held in Cancun, Mexico

Sorry about the short notice on this - I sent info about it in my eZine but forgot you here. Well just slug my arm when you get to Cancun.

International Living is holding a conference right in my own backyard - Cancun, Mexico.

I got the schedule for the event and I have to say I am very impressed! It is jam packed with all the speakers and information you would need to make an educated decision of where you might choose to move and how to do it!

Speakers are coming in from around the world to tell you how they did it and how you can do it too. They will be covering opportunities in Mexico and around the world.

You will learn about good deals on properites, how to buy them, and what to do once you have them. They will even be discussing business opportunities you can pursue to earn more money before and after your move.

It is short notice so you will have to register and book your flight now. However, this could be a great opportunity to get in on short notice discount airfare (always an upside)! Let me know if you want discount travel sites.

It will be at the Fiesta Americana Resort in Cancun, Mexico,
May 28 through 31, 2008.

Plus, I have been asked to be a guest speaker on the Saturday, so we can meet!

Actually I plan to hang around more than that. Every day is packed with speakers.
I want to learn all about these deals too!

Click here to see all the details of the conference.
Let me know you are coming so I can say hello.

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/.

Leave Mexico for a holiday?

Take a holiday from holiday land? Sounds weird doesn’t it? It is weird; except when you live in holiday land year round.

When you take a holiday from wherever you live and visit somewhere else, you come back with a new appreciation of where you live. Suddenly things that were starting to annoy you, no longer annoy you. Your focus changes …. You realize you prefer the heat …. That you like the slower pace …. That your home really is your home.

When we take holidays from Mexico, we come back and appreciate Mexico even more! I have a big piece of my heart in Mexico. There are still times when I do look forward to a holiday even from Playa del Carmen, Mexico though. Oh now we are back to just sounding weird.

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/.

A holiday in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico?

Morelia, Michoacan has much to offer a visitor. Morelia offers history, culture, nearby lakes and farm fields, Monarch butterfly tours, mountains, and very nice people. However, my highest recommendation is the candy museum called in Spanish Museo del Dulce.

The following is not a paid endorsement – it is only a fun endorsement.

You will be able to take a historic tour of the making of candy in Morelia, see it being made, sample numerous concoctions and then purchase whatever you wish. There are several large rooms full of candy and chocolates for sale! The options and tastes are endless. You could live there your whole visit and certainly eat there all day! Just remember to walk around town a lot so you get sufficiently hungry!

My recommendation for sweet treats when you visit Morelia is to head to El Museo del Dulce in the historic district. Did I mention they do ice cream too? I am planning a trip back soon as I think I have candy withdrawal!

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/.

Mexico vs. Canada?

I am not really creating competition because in my opinion, one is not better than the other, they are simply different. However, what if I ever moved from Mexico to go back to Canada? The question is: After 7 years in Mexico, would I fit back in to Canada?

Part of me says yes and part of me says who are you kidding? So why do I feel this way? There are many similarities but also many differences between the two countries and the cultures. I have lived a different life for the past 7 years than I would have in Canada. I have fewer belongings and fewer clothes for starters.

I enjoy both countries for different reasons. Both countries have beautiful, friendly people but Mexico seems to have fewer rules and a more relaxed way of life. I like that. I miss the paved roads with lines, the change of seasons and the neatness and the ease of living in Canada. In Mexico, I will always be a foreigner. I miss our parents and visiting more with our old friends and family, but I cherish our new friends and adopted family. But I also miss things and friends from when we lived in Puerto Vallarta. I miss crisp, cool fall days; but I love the heat and the lifestyle I have in Mexico!

All in all, I am happy to be living in Mexico but I bet I would also be happy in Canada. I think you bring whatever is inside of you wherever you go. I’m not ready to leave the palm trees though! So I’m staying. I guess at this point I don’t have to really figure this question out. I will let you know if I ever decide to make a change. Maybe it will be Greece …….

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.

Mexico education for your kids

Do you have a desire to move to Mexico but are just not sure what to do about schooling your children?

The questions keep coming to you . . . . Is the schooling any good? Does anybody speak English? How much does it cost? How do we find out what schools are available to us? What do they do in the school? Will my kids fit in? Is Mexico even safe for the kids?

I know the questions because my husband and I had them all too! We are Canadians who have lived in Mexico with our son and daughter for seven years now. We spent one year in Puerto Vallarta and the rest here in Playa del Carmen. Our kids are now 15 and 17; they started their Mexican experience in Grades 3 and 6 and this year our daughter graduates!

To try to help you if this is your quest, I have written my thoughts and advice on this subject of educating your kids in Mexico in an article for Playa Maya News. You can go here to read the whole article. Feel free to let me know if you have more questions.

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/.

Our Easter in Mexico

Yes, Easter in Mexico is a very important religious time of the year and I respect that very much. However, I sure wish they knew the Easter Bunny!

Do you know how hard it is to find Easter chocolates here? The only thing I can find is Kinder Surprise eggs because they have them available all year long.

I tried making homemade chocolate/ peanut butter eggs one year but they were a little tricky and I had to eat the embarrassing rejects and that was a little dangerous for my figure.

I do have teenage kids so you would think that the chocolate becomes less important – you would think. My son however has impressed upon me how nice chocolate would be!

So the kids may find some Kinder Eggs, some assorted chocolate bars and some books this year. Yep, my Mexican Easter Bunny brings books!

Now to hide the chocolate so that it will not melt . . . . . . .

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/

Monterrey, Mexico and frozen feet

Remember the recent trip I told you about where we went to Morelia? Well we spent a night in Monterrey and I do not remember the last time I felt so cold! It was only 8 degrees Celsius! People in the know had winter coats.

It was March in Monterrey, Mexico and I felt like an ice cube. I was even wearing a blanket type coat and I was still cold! Granted I had to wrap it around my husband and daughter as well while we waited for our luggage. Also keep in mind that I have lived in Mexico for about 7 years now. Puerto Vallarta was hot and Playa del Carmen is hot – need I say more? My body just is not used to the cold anymore. I decided that I dare not move back to Canada as I may not survive the winter!

Frozen feet? Well who would have known that there are times that it is best not to wear sandals in Mexico!

Monterrey, maybe I’ll visit again but in the middle of summer.

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

Viva Aerobus - The inexpensive way to travel by air in Mexico

Viva Aerobus - It’s a bus with wings! It is air travel for the cost of a bus ride!

Am I a fan? I think so. The price is certainly right. We booked for our family of 4 adults to travel Cancun – Monterrey – Morelia and back for $5,000 pesos or the equivalent of about $500 USD total. Good deal eh? Monterrey is the hub city for Viva Aerobus so most flights go through there. We arrived home yesterday so I can fill you in on all the details.

Now understand you get no frills for a no frills price.

- No food, no drink (most airlines are that way now anyway) but it was inexpensive to buy snacks and even sandwiches on board.
- No company produced magazines on board.
- The seats do not recline.
- No fancy tickets – you get only a paper receipt (like a grocery receipt) for boarding.
- No reserved seats!
- No piped in music or videos. However the flights are short.
- You are encouraged to book your flights on the Internet.
- Their uniforms are khaki pants and t-shirts (that must cost the company less). I don't care - they could all wear pink tutus!

Frankly if they save money with the above and they pass those saving on to me – I am all for it!

Our flights to Morelia were both running about a half hour late but coming home they were both early. Name an airline that has not been running late.

I hear that as of May 1st they are also flying in and out of Austin, Texas. I think I am developing an absolute need to see Austin! Thanks Viva Aerobus!

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

Mexican transportation - The Playa Express

I developed a new appreciation for the Playa Express minivan (well actually they are Mercedes Benz vans) drivers last week when I rode one from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

Previously my experience had been one of annoyance as I drove my vehicle and they zipped in and out of traffic – stopping with no notice in front of me to let passengers off or on.

This time, I was the one on the inside. I decided these drivers have to be very confident and capable drivers as they move from one town to another making stops at passengers often short notice requests and merging successfully in and out of traffic.

Passengers and the driver were extremely polite. Thank you very much – have a nice day – go with care - was heard over and over again (in Spanish of course).

When I am driving now I will try to have more patience and more appreciation for these minivans, the drivers and the people they carry to and from work and school.

Isn’t it interesting to look at experiences from another perspective? Mexico is a wonderful opportunity for that but really we can try it anywhere.

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

Going Bananas in Mexico

Anyone want some fresh bananas? They are just off the tree. Mexican bananas are the best!

We have about five banana trees at any given time in our yard. Just to give you the full picture, when a banana tree produces, it has anywhere from 100 to 150 bananas at a time.

I now have lots of banana bread! I will have to make some banana muffins, banana chocolate chip cookies, banana cake and banana pancakes.

It is funny how most people want the banana baking over just the bananas!

I have written about my banana challenges before. It is an ongoing delight/burden.
Please feel free to send any banana recipes my way – better yet, feel free to come use my kitchen to make the recipe! I’ll be resting in the hammock under the bananas watching them ripen. I hope the neighbors are ready for more.

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/

Learning Reiki in Mexico

Yep that is what my husband and I will be doing this weekend! We are going to Cozumel for a weekend of Reiki how to. Cozumel is an island about a half hour ferry ride from Playa del Carmen and is a beautiful, fun place to spend some time. We may even get to see a sunset over the water as we cannot see the sun set over the water from Playa del Carmen. We are on the wrong side!

What is Reiki? Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "the laying on of hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. I want to learn how to do that!

So as you can now see there are many interesting things to pursue in Mexico. As if you had any doubt! I'll let you know if I find anything humorous there!

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

To live in or visit Mexico - is that your dream?

Are you trying to find a way to make your move to Mexico? Not sure where to turn, what to do or how to make the transition? I understand - I've been there and that is why my new coaching club may be of help!

I even have a surprise. Are you ready? The Live Your Dreams Coaching eClub now costs only $9.95 US to be a member. Yep, you read it right. See, your first dream may have just come true – that was easy!

What is your Dream? Dreams do come true at the club!

The "Live Your Dreams" Coaching Club offers coaching, empowerment, information, support and group interaction on how to live all of your dreams. Say goodbye to any negatives in your life and step into the positive! We have 2 live coaching calls a month, new live your dreams tips and ideas every Monday, a forum to ask questions and discuss concepts and so much more!

Why the great deal? I want to reach more people. The fun thing about dreams is that often everyone wins! I love that! Do you?

Here is what Traci said after a one 1/2 hour coaching session on Friday:

“Hi Suzanne, We had a great weekend !! Not only did I build sand castles but I went IN the ocean on a big pink floaty with my daughter... I never actually get beyond my ankles so it was pretty cool for her (and me).

I have also been practicing my positive thinking and guess what... made a big sale this morning. I guess this stuff really works. We all seemed a bit calmer this weekend with my new attitude.”
Thank you! Traci

My question to you is: Would you like to experiencing being in the flow of life? Where everything seems easy? Because it is possible to live every day like that if you choose to.

Receive the focus, empowerment and encouragement to make your dreams come true by become a member of the Live Your Dreams Coaching Club Master Mind today.

Experience it all for only $9.95 a month! Prices may later go up - but yours will stay at this for as long as you are a member.

Click here to see all the details. Don't put this aside. Go there now to see the benefits.

I have one request. I would love for you to bring a friend. Yes, you can even bring more than one! In fact I would love to have your help to get the word out by sending this invitation to everyone you know. No prejudging who might be interested in this - how would we really know? Would you do that for me? Thank you in advance! You are wonderful! I hope you already knew that.

When like minds come together, there is no telling to what heights we can reach!

We all have a dream and it may be easier to achieve if we don't feel like we are all alone.
Join the club that can empower you today for only $9.95 US a month!
Don’t forget to spread the word.

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/

Electricians may laugh with me

Mexico always provides some humor to our electrician friends from Canada or the States. Apparently there are lots of rules in those countries when it comes to electrical work.

None of us are sure what the rules are in Mexico. My friends actually walk around taking pictures of the huge messes of electric cords and cables outside of some buildings. What goes to where?

Now first let me say I would never judge good or bad – right or wrong. Whatever works – works and we must always accept that there can be different ways of doing things. Let’s just say that everything can be interesting in Mexico.

Electrically speaking, this weekend I really got to see something I consider ingenious when a fellow came to do some welding on our gate. He brought his equipment – I don’t even know what it was called but I did notice his handy dandy electrical wiring for it. His cord was spliced together and patched and taped in 3 places. I looked at the end that would go into the wall and it was only two ends of wire. These ends he proceeds to connect directly into our meter box that sits on the side of our wall.

It took him a little playing to get it to work but he did. He got the job done and no one got electrocuted. Maybe sometimes that is all you can ask for. My gate does work perfectly now.

Only in Mexico you Say? Maybe – maybe not.

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/

It is raining in Playa del Carmen

Aren’t you happy that I am keeping you abreast of the weather situation here? Now that Mexico is our home, we have grown used to lots of sunshine, so rainy days seem odd and a good occasion to write about the adventure of it.

How does the rain change life for me in Playa del Carmen?

Well I drove to yoga this morning because the last time I walked and it ended up raining I got soaked! I forever being an optimist left the house that morning with sunglasses but no umbrella! The road I walk along is paved, but that does not stop huge puddles from forming on the road that I must walk through and the cars must drive through. I will leave the resulting picture of my look upon arriving home to your imagination.

My laundry will have to wait as I hang it out on a line to dry.

What is the plus side of the rain? I don’t have to do laundry, I get to wear different clothes, the plants are thrilled and I don’t have to water them, the yard looks very green and healthy, and I am going to make hot chocolate.

Life is indeed good in Playa - even in the rain. I hope tomorrow is sunny though – because you wouldn’t want to overdo a good thing.

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/

We got a cold snap in Playa del Carmen!

You will be relieved to hear it seems to be over now, but let me tell you – we needed three blankets on the bed! Forget the air conditioning - we closed our windows! We wore pants and sweaters and closed toed shoes for two whole days. Of course all the tourists were still in shorts…. Crazy tourists!

We even put a sweater on our dog as she appeared to be shivering –she was born in Mexico so she would feel such a drastic drop in temperature.

Actually it was fun. We played a DVD of a fire on the TV and drank hot chocolate. That is my advice for the best way to survive a Mexican cold snap.

This may sound funny but we really did these things. Your body just gets used to the heat I guess. Now what if we got snow???

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/

Living in Mexico - New Years Resolutions

Here are a few suggestions to get everyone started on their New Year resolutions ………..
(These may vary depending where you live in Mexico of course)

- Go swimming at the beach more often. Sometimes I will bring my life sized, inflatable alligator and amuse tourists.

- Take more moonlit walks at the beach. I’ll even bring my husband.

- Enjoy both the fast and slow drivers. Always wearing my crash helmet even in my truck.

- Accept the rough roads and potholes when encountered because they make me appreciate the good roads.

- Accept that they do things differently here. I wanted change after all!

- Allow myself to laze in a hammock more often.

- Explore more of Mexico.

- Take more pictures ..... of my feet.

- Try more new foods with names I cannot even pronounce.

- Stop everyday to enjoy the scents of the bougainvillea and hibiscus.

- Enjoy life everyday to the fullest!

Any you can think to add?

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/