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