Summer, 2012

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Conversion Site

Last May we left The Vortex of Panajachel, Guatemala and decided to return to Mexico. We had business to attend to, and Akaisha wanted to make her yearly trek to the States to visit family.

One of the most beautiful places in the world

We left one paradise for another and our route took us across the Mexican-Guatemala border to one of our favorite towns, Comitan, Chiapas.

Family-centered Comitan has great weather, clean streets and little crime

After a week at Hotel Las Faroles at 350 Pesos per night for our mini-suite and kitchenette, we bused to Tuxtla Gutierrez where we caught a VivaAerobus flight to Guadalajara for a net price of $58 USD each. VivaAerobus as well as Volaris Airlines are newer discount airlines and offer some great prices within Mexico as well as routes to the U.S. such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida.

We landed in Guadalajara, and for 300 Pesos we taxied to Chapala - well, actually Ajijic, a town to the west of Chapala - which is a large Gringo haunt. For five weeks we house sat a beautiful 3 bedroom home for an even more beautiful lady. This gave us a completely new perspective of our "old" stomping grounds and allowed us to see these same places through different eyes.

All the comforts of home - our house sit in Mexico

Once we were settled in, Akaisha took off for California leaving me "home alone" for a month. I tried my best to get into trouble and dined regularly at - by far - the best seafood joint Lakeside called Tabaka. For 49 Pesos a plate, the Spanish chef cooked to perfection sea bass, grouper, or any number of other fish. A couple of unique salads, freshly made bread and a side of garlic butter completed the meal. I could have my choices of wine by the glass or maybe a cappuccino as I leisurely spent a couple of hours in this open-air restaurant.

By mid-July our house setting gig was up so I relocated to central Chapala, right in the middle of daily activity, to await Akaisha's return. A stone's throw to the Plaza and 6 minute walk to the malecon, our studio apartment was an ideal location to spend the last few days before heading back on the road.

Chapala's malecon offers natural beauty and social opportunities

Our house sitting plans in the Colonial City of Antigua, Guatemala were solidifying, so more air-tickets were purchased and travel arrangements were made to get us the 900 miles back to Guatemala.

A great area to travel

Basically, we reversed our previous journey, however this time staying in San Cristobal de las Casas where we would meet up with a friend. Jon invited us to stay at their place on the coast of the Mexican Yucatan and has since moved to San Cristobal.

Our $25 a night digs in San Cristobal

He made it possible to stay in a large 1200 sq. ft. apartment in his complex for $25 USD per night and we very much enjoyed the wine bars and bohemian lifestyle that San Cristobal offers. We had a time commitment and couldn't linger in San Cristobal so we bused back into Guatemala staying one night in Huehuetenango and then headed on into Antigua to set up house.

We have a lightweight lifestyle, but to keep connected with family, friends, news, and to run our website, we must have internet.

We have been traveling through Mexico and Guatemala now for two years and have purchased Internet Dongles or 3G USB devices allowing us to connect via cell phone/towers. Basically they work like a prepaid cell phone, so anywhere there is a cell connection you can connect your computer to the internet. They are not perfect nor inexpensive, but they are a good backup for when we are on long distance buses or in places without Wifi. We have found that having these broadband devices gives us more freedom in our travels.

Internet dongles or 3G broadband device

In every case where I have purchased one of these dongles they have asked for my name, local address, passport and passport number in order to register the device. It is not a simple matter of purchasing it and installing it myself. My personal information is required before the sale is complete. 

At this point I ask them to install the device on my computer. Installation can be as smooth as silk but most likely it takes an hour of trials and tech support. Each time - and there have been four so far - the techies have come through for me and I have left the store confident that I will have internet from wherever I have a cell connection.

These dongles usually come with a “free” two weeks - to one month access, depending on usage. I have run out of a one-month trial in ten days, but I am a heavy user and this was expected. At this point, I simply go to any place where I can add Pesos, Quetzales or other currencies to the Sims card number provided at time of purchase to receive more access. After this, I am back online.

Entrance to "our" place in Antigua

Happily, "our" place in Antigua is in a native neighborhood, a short distance or about a 20 cent bus ride to the Central Plaza, which is the hub of Antigua.

House sitting has become an addition to our method of travel, providing new perspectives and an added level of comfort. "Our" place in Antigua comes with a 5-day-a-week maid who will cook, clean and shop for us as needed. We have two garden terraces where we can enjoy the sun, views of lush green mountains and the surrounding volcanoes, and much of the house is open air.

Tropical living!

Garden views from the bedrooms

Our chosen lifestyle continues to surprise us with amazing possibilities which we had not considered previously. As we change and grow, our needs and wants change too. Being open to implementing these possibilities enriches our retirement experience.

Life gets better at every turn, so why limit ourselves?

How about you? Are you making the most of the opportunities in your life?

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