Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
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Chacala
Vintage
Car Event
Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Currency
Exchange
We are at
a perfect
beach, as close as one can get to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, when
one shiny car after another pulls up and parks next to
Chico's Restaurant.
At least six waiters are peeling buckets
of shrimp, and there must be 100 plantains in their skins being cooked on
the grill.
What's going on?
It's an event for
vintage automobiles!

Polished, shiny and in mint condition
You probably know more about cars than I
do, but these look pretty sweet to me.
White wall tires (used from the early
1900s to the mid 1970s) with the bodies polished so brightly you can see
your own reflection!
These cars are parked on the
campground site right next to the restaurant - very convenient for
everyone!

Reminds me of the movies
An old Chevrolet truck with the running
board under the door. In the "old days" vehicles had a higher clearance from
the ground and these running boards made it easier to get inside.
I can imagine this truck in an old movie
about the heartland of America, and the father of a fist full of kids going
into town "fer supplies."
"Yes Ma'am. Be back before supper. I got
Jimmy with me."

One for the mountain roads of Europe
In this car I can see Princess Grace of
Monaco driving through the mountainous hills of the kingdom, or perhaps
Marilyn Monroe in California somewhere. They each have their blonde hair
wrapped in a silk scarf, but wisps have escaped and curl around their faces
as they lean into the curves.
Oh!
I have never been in a car like this,
either as a passenger or as the driver.
Maybe if I were 40 years younger, 40
pounds lighter, 5 inches taller and dyed my hair blonde, I'd have a chance!
I can see why these are called "dream
cars."

This one has a VROOOM sound to it
Ok, now these sorts of cars I have seen
around in my younger years and have been lucky enough to be a passenger.
Whereas the car in the previous photo
gives a PURRRR sound, this one, is a "VROOOMer" to be sure.
It reminds me of Saturday nights out at
the pizza parlor, and weekend drives through the country or to the beach to
watch the surfers.
My memories have friends piled inside,
sitting on each other's laps and no seat belts.

Another European model?
Hey look, guys. I said I didn't know much
about cars, but this one also seems to have the European feel and look.
I imagine the engine is overbuilt for the
car and speed is the intention.
Red leather interior, red steering wheel
and speed. Let's make it very easy for the police to give a ticket!
Still, in my mind I can see an East Coast
wealthy son on college break driving to the beach cottage in this baby.

This one hits closer to home
My parents had a car like this one, but
it was a 4-door and painted red and white.
It brings back memories of outdoor movie
theaters, waitresses on roller skates at car hops, Frisch's Big Boy and root
beer floats. We'd drive to church on Sundays and then go over to Grandma's
for a big Sunday meal.
Kids rolled around in the back, the
parents sat in front, and again, no seat belts!

Beautiful Mercedes
Car after car drove in and parked where
they could find a space. This is near the area of the large grill where the
fresh fish are cooked over an open
flame.
The more people arrived, the
wilder the restaurant became.
Live music was being played by
wandering minstrels, extra tables were set up to accommodate the crowd,
and seafood, beer and tequila were being delivered.
Harried waiters were running around and
their eyes darted here and there to catch a raised arm from someone who
wanted attention.
Money was being made by the restaurant
and by the service personnel.
Everyone seemed happy on this beautiful
sunny beach afternoon on the
Mexican Pacific Coast.

A handsome mustang parked among the
mainstream cars of today
Behind this mustang you can see the tops
of the cars that filled the campground. It was a busy day at Chico's,
and certainly one that will be remembered for a while.

A few more sports convertibles lined
up
Even as we left the restaurant to head
back to
the hotel, drivers were still arriving to attend this luscious seafood
event on the beach.
Easily, there were 100 vintage
automobiles some restored to their initial mint condition, and others were
tricked out. All were beautiful.
It was like a beauty pageant of cars, and
hard to decide which was more beautiful and why.
When we returned to our favorite
restaurant in Chacala the next
morning, it was like nothing ever happened.
All the tables, chairs and tarps were put
away, the cars and crowd were gone, and the beach was peaceful once again!
For more stories and photos about Mexico,
click here

About the Authors



Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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