A swim - me, my iguana and my dog

This morning I wanted to take a swim. I noticed one of our now medium sized green iguanas (we call him Pepe) was eating some grass by the pool but felt if I was cautious he could enjoy his breakfast and I could enjoy my swim.

So there we were all relaxed – him chomping and me swimming ... however our dog (we call her Mika) was also in the yard. Du Dum Du Dum goes the music (if there had been some)….

I saw Mika headed in Pepe’s direction. He stood still as he was well camouflaged in the grass and sure enough she walked right past him – for a second - and then she smelled him.

Well everything happened pretty fast after that as she ran and he ran and the next thing I know I have an iguana flying at me – Pepe grazed my shoulder or was it my hair as he hit the pool.

Needless to say I did a little scream and was out of there! First I needed to catch the dog and put her in the house; then to allow Pepe to finish his swim and climb out of the pool.

Just one of the adventures of living in Mexico!

Enjoy the Adventure!

With great love, 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/

Are you looking for a way to earn money so you can live in Mexico? Maybe these ideas can help.

Would you like to own property in paradise for only $40,000? This is my husband's development in Bacalar, Mexico http://www.losflamboyanesbacalar.com/. We are planning a house there.

My husband's Playa del Carmen Real Estate office – One Stop Real Estate, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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.

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.

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

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

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

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/

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/

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/

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