Blog Page - Page 3 of 3

The Next Phase

Although we are almost half-way through one of the most amazing house sits anywhere on Earth, my mind keeps moving ahead and wondering what the next phase holds in store. Diane and I were debating the merits of wandering south to Ecuador or back to Europe for the fall and winter season of 2015-2016. For one reason or another, both of us find ourselves being drawn back to Italy. Having traveled all over the world, we both acknowledge that something sparks for us there. It may be the art, the food, the landscape or the people – or, for that…

While sitting on the beach here in Mexico today, I was telling a young Australian couple about our journey of discovery down under. As travel in Australia is actually quite pricey, most Aussies have never taken a good look at their own country. Being that it was all new to us, we took the time to see what was around the bend more than any Aussie we met. Amusing on some level, except that the same could be said about Canadians (who have rarely taken a look outside of their local area, but have been to the Dominican Republic every…

A look back at 2007 and our first week in San Miguel de Allende. This trip was our first realization that David could actually work, successfully, from almost anywhere, and it changed our lives. Behind the heavy wooden doors of Posadas de las Monjas we found true sanctuary. David and I have been here for 6 days and can’t seem to find a compelling reason to leave. The word posada means a place to rest and rest we have found. The original buildings served as a monastery and the complex is a maze of walkways and small staircases that open into…

Offer this kind of view! This our B&B-sit. We’re running the B&B (the owner says, “bed and beach, breakfast is on you!”) for 10 days while the owners are at their daughter’s wedding. What a really nice way to spend a few days – and help free them up to not worry about their business! Now, where was my hammock? This B&B-sitting is tough work!

Don’t have pets? 5 other reasons to use a house sitter.

Even when there is not a pet to be loved, there are still good reasons to enlist the services of a house sitter while you are away… 1. Security – Unoccupied homes are more vulnerable to break-ins and vandalism. A property occupied by a house sitter appears inhabited and less attractive to criminals. In some cases homeowner’s insurance may be invalid if a property is left vacant over a specific number of days. 2. Upkeep – a house sitter can care for indoor and outdoor plants and keep a property clean, maintained and aired out. 3. Monitoring – house sitters provide…

It is rare to have a day pass that someone does not say “oh, you’re so lucky” or “livin’ the dream” to us. Typically, we nod and acknowledge their compliment with a mock toast or a knowing grin. It is only when we get the ‘Oh I wish I could do that, but…” that I generally answer with one short, somewhat terse response, “Then do”. What follows is a litany of reasons that justify why they are trapped in their world. In the past, I have tried to give a few words of wisdom to help those few who actually…

One of my long lost quests has finally come to fruition! I bought a VW Bug. Down here, they are referred to a ‘Vochos’ – the origins of which, no one can seem to agree upon. Google translate, my trusty companion, fails me in a quite amusing way though! It turns heads! Last night, as we were sitting at dinner, a little boy from a Canadian family stopped to make a photo. I ran across the road and opened the door so his father could make a shot of him at the steering wheel. He was grinning from ear-to-ear! On…

Standing on the bridge, looking through the railings at the children wading in the dirty water below me, I grasped my mother’s hand a little tighter. These boys, not much older than I was, were screaming something at us, though my 5 year old brain could not comprehend it. It was foreign. Totally foreign. We walked a little further, my mother holding my brother and I a little closer to her than usual. There was music playing that was just as strange to my 5 year old brain as the young boys. To this day, almost 40 years later, I…

There is something about the Mexican experience that is not complete without understanding how its society moves. To cross 800 miles, as an American, I would immediately think to buy an airline ticket and go directly from “Point A” to Point B”. In sharp contrast, the Mexican society moves at its own pace without the constant need to be “better, faster and cheaper” that I find in the States. The airline infrastructure is just not there in many cases and where it is, the cost is prohibitive to all but the most wealthy. That development didn’t come because of a…

Newer
1
2
3

The Next Phase

Shark Bay, Western Australia

San Miguel de Allende: Posada de Las Monjas

Not all house sits…

Don’t have pets? 5 other reasons to use a house sitter.

Not Lucky

Bought a Bug

Intentional Wanderer

Tufesa Across Mexico

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent Posts

Search Posts By Tag

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent Posts