A DIFFERENT LIFE

November marked our 2 year anniversary of life in Mexico, and it is in fact a very different life in so many ways.

A year ago last week we moved into our “new” house. I named it “the Hallelujah House” because of its wonderful energy and “open arms” welcoming my weary soul in. It was our escape from persistent daily pounding from the house going up against our outer wall. A house that has only recently been completed. Two days after our move renters Bill & Glynis moved into our little casita for the month of March. Two weeks after they moved in the pandemic hit and they high-tailed it back to Canada. We were in lockdown.

And there we all were. Stunned, overwhelmed, depressed. Some of us in denial. Stuck at home. Groundhog Day…after day…after day. I found myself often curling up on the bed in my room full of purple ( a good healing color) and Mexican crafts, watching Netflix. (I’ve seen a lot of good movies and TV series this year.) Sometimes I’d work on a blog post but as I went out less often (just for food and cash) I had, of course, fewer photos and less to write about. And less motivation. We are blessed and I know it. To be in this house with its beautiful view, nice neighbors, and everything we need. Still, it’s been hard for most all of us around the world, if on different levels.

Locals rallied here to set up meal delivery and veggie and fruit delivery to help keep things rolling. Markets closed but quickly reopened with new hygiene protocols. There are so many who’ve lost jobs and loved ones. Many of us reached out to local organizations, artisans (Jesus Lopez Vega below left), our housekeepers (Alba below right), gardeners, & handymen (I told you, blessed) to help things stay afloat. I doubt we’ve seen the full impact yet. Businesses closing. Kids trying to learn something any way they can. They’ve lost a year of learning I’d say.

Ben and I both have some medical issues but we’re taking care of them. Medical care is generally good here and though costs are out of pocket, prices are much lower than in the States. Most doctors & nurses are trained in Guadalajara at world class medical facilities. Still I find myself a bit nervous about starting all over, going from a world I knew so well as a nurse to one where I am the patient & customs are different. It takes time to settle in. Funny how we crave the familiar when we’re stressed.

Here in Ajijic we’re blessed to have many outdoor restaurants, all following Covid protocols. So we’ve been able to eat out, mostly alone but more recently with one or two friends. The covered terraces of our house and the warm days have made it possible to share food & drink here with others in the past two or three months. The view of nature as we sit sharing stories is soothing & restorative for us all.

2020. A tough one for sure. Covid. The state of the world. So intense. Who knew that our love of travel would be squelched by the pandemic. We came here knowing we would revel in traveling across México, delving into its culture. We came here believing we would be able to return to NC at least twice a year to see family and friends, to see our sweet granddaughter Hazie turn 1, then 2. (Will she be 3 before we see her again?) There’ve been days I’ve been filled with grief, for life and loss, some days caught up in grieving for so many who have lost loved ones or jobs, friends who are quite ill, the disconnect between politicians and people, the Earth and its decline (temporarily masked by the strike of the pandemic), and the harm people cause to each other. As well as the loss of identity related to my work as a nurse and Ben’s career as a craftsman for so many years. Though we chose to leave the US, it has been a huge adjustment in many ways, leaving us emotionally and physically exhausted beyond understanding some days. Adding a pandemic to that mix has often been overwhelming. But it’s getting easier day by day.

Now there is hope it seems. The world is opening up a little. The fog is lifting, as they say. As I look around, begin to get out a bit, talk to friends more, feel the warm Mexican sun on my face, enjoy our little pool, our sweet dog Tumi, and working in our small yard, I am grateful for all I have. I don’t mind wearing masks, washing my hands more often, avoiding crowds. It is a sign of respect for my fellowman. We walk Tumi every morning through nearby neighborhoods, greeting other dog walkers along the way. Talking to Mexican friends Thomas & Dessy who help me with my Spanish & share news about their lives. Saying Hi to my “pet” iguanas climbing out of the stone wall drain. I’ve named them Pedro & Lillie. Don’t ask me why. But it makes me smile. Down at the corner by the main road a group of men gather most mornings next to a cow & her calf, drinking a mix of fresh milk, tequila & Nescafe. They flash silly grins in greeting as we pass by. Not my idea of a good breakfast. Like I said, a different life.

Somewhere along the way I decided to let go of many of the expectations I have of myself and everyone (poor Ben) around me. The bed doesn’t have to be perfectly made. The floor can stay dirty another day. The decorating can wait. The casita can wait to be occupied again. I don’t have to get everything done. I can just read or write if I want to. I’m more relaxed now, more apt to laugh. More apt to spend time with friends rather than making sure everything is in order. Finally.

So can I adjust to this different life? Most of us are adapting to life with Covid. Vaccinations are running behind here. We have several friends who’ve been sick but luckily all recovered. Many who’ve flown back to the US for vaccines. Will we be able to travel again soon? Most indigenous areas aren’t safe yet. Are we glad we moved here? It’s been the adventure of a lifetime. Will we stay here the rest of our lives? Living this different life. I can’t tell you. But for now, the sun is shining and there is hope around every corner.

Special thanks to my friend Andree who reminded me that my blog keeps us all in each others lives. If you want to help me continue – posting comes with a cost – any contribution to my DONATE button is welcome! Stay well out there!