Happy Fourteenth Anniversary to Me in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico!

In March, 2001 I arrived in San Miguel to live full time in this very house and property.  I found and rented the property in August 2000, never imagining that I would be moving here full time anytime in the near future.  Destiny took over and I was here in seven months having sold my business, my home and 99% of my possessions!  It has definitely been quite an adventure.

Learning the ins and outs of the system.  Where to pay the utility bills?  How to find a maid and a handy man? What to do when the electricity went off and didn't come back on for hours?  Same with telephone, only some times for days.  Where to go for groceries since just about the only grocery store smelled like dead fish?  Oh so many little things that were challenges.  All have been resolved.

Much has changed in Mexico and San Miguel in the passing years. Some of the greatest advice I was given was, "If you live alone, you need a handy man".  ABSOLUTELY true.  And, "Find a maid - she will be your introduction to the Mexican culture for every day living".  Also very true.  Originally it was Josefina and her brother Carlos that I found by just asking around. They helped immensely in making the connections and figuring out the ins and outs of daily living, thankfully.  Josefina is still with me and still responsible for taking care of not only the houses but me, at times.  Her whole family, including cousins and her distant relatives have had a part in my life also.

A lot of expats moved here about the same time I did.  It was a great core of people  Sadly about 95% have left.  Either moving back to their previous areas of the USA or else going to the "happy hunting grounds" in the sky.  They are missed.  We had a good group.  Home parties reigned.  Nothing fancy - pot luck on the patio or whatever.  Fun times - great friendships.

The electricity seldom goes off.  The telephone service is now excellent.  The water is no longer turned off for periods of time and we have two excellent grocery stores along with many, many specialty stores for cheeses, olive oil, baked goods.  You name it, we have it! Even an organic market on Saturdays!

I don't think it matters if you move across town, as I did several times in Houston, or move to a foreign country, one still needs to find a new laundry, a new car mechanic, doctors, hairdressers among other things.  The nitty gritty of every day life.  Of course, throw in the language and cultural differences and then, as I like to say, it was definitely an adventure.

Do I have any regrets?  Sure, a few.  Do I regret moving to Mexico?  No.  In some ways I think Mexico saved my life.  The pace, the simplicity, the graciousness and kindness of the people, have all been things that have contributed to a tranquil, stress free existence.

Then there are the intangibles.  The clean, clean air.  The blue, blue skies.  The beauty to be seen in every direction.  And, the sense of well being that comes from all of these things.

It just seems amazing that I'm beginning the fourteenth year.  It certainly has whizzed by.  It has never been dull, but simply tranquil. 

Do I have fourteen more to look forward to?  I doubt it sincerely.........However, "living in the moment" makes that first question irrelevant.

The photo above is the status of the wall with the bougainvillea that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.  Isn't it amazing how much it has grown in two weeks?  Patience is paying off - as always.