Our Year Away - Art, Food, Family, Magic and Adventure in the Yucatan

Oh my God. I am Going. To. Die. That is how I feel about being in an airplane.  This is a new phobia that developed over the last 10 years, and if you are phobic about flying, you know that is is not just a case of nerves.  Every moment from takeoff to landing is torture. Pure torture. I feel like I am on the verge of death the whole entire time. Which is the real reason that I convinced my poor husband that a scenic road trip through the States would be the greatest way ever to kick off our move to Mexico. At first it was going to be an epic road trip from Peterborough, Ontario aaaaaalllllll the way down through the States and Mexico to the South of Mexico then back up the Yucatan Peninsula.  I was actually really looking forward to that trip, because there is a heck of a lot to see between point A and B.  A lot of people make that drive safely, however after getting advice from a few people, both Mexicans and expats, about the best route to take, we decided that with two small

Maybe you are following this blog about moving our family to another country and thinking "Gee, I bet these people have some great tips on relocating/packing/travelling/being good at life!" It's true, blogs are a great way to learn from others' experience and get tips on how to do things. And these tips are available in many blogs. Other blogs. The blogs of super-organised people.  You should go check out their blogs for tips.  And then share them with me. Please. I need tips, dammit, TIPS! Seriously. I have no idea what the hell I am doing.  "Tie-dye my shorts" was an actual item on my to-do list. Got 'er done, though didn't I?  ;) But if you insist, here is how my family moves to Mexico: 1. Once you have made the decision to leave, put a big pot of panic on simmer on the back burner.  This constant low-grade anxiety will cause you to avoid thinking about the huge-ness of what you are doing at all costs, allowing you to procrastinate 

"Wow.....I could never do that! "   That is what most people say when we tell them we are moving to Mexico. In reality, anyone can sell their house, quit their jobs, take their kids out of school, sell all their stuff and move to another country.  But most people wouldn't. Most sane people, anyway.... Before we had kids, my husband, Louis and I were pretty impulsive travellers.  Want to ditch our wedding plans and elope to Thailand? Sure thing!  How about working in the Middle East for a few months? Why not! At one point we lived in 4 different Continents in the space of 3 months.  Things inevitably change when the wee ones arrive, however.  When you have a new pair of twin baby girls to care for living out of a backpack becomes much less appealing. Suddenly we had routines that we don't want disturbed, boxes of things that have sentimental value, and a comfy, cozy nest where everyone is safe and warm. And that has been a lovely phase in our lives - feelin