Tag Archives: travel

Aug25

Why do you blog?

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Why do you blog?

Why do you blog? This was one of the writing prompts on WordPress this week. I decided to give it some thought.

I was living in Guadalajara when I started blogging on WordPress. Two of my housemates, Sean and Omar, were computer geeks and helped me get set up. Both of them were working remotely while living in Mexico for a while.

Before I started my blog, I used to send out mass emails to friends I’d left behind in Winnipeg. But now that I was living and teaching in Mexico, I found myself keeping in touch with others I’d taught with or lived with over the years. It’s true that a one-liner on Facebook got the word out and was easier than writing emails, but I could write in more detail in a blog.

I also used to include a lot of photos in my blog posts. I do a fair amount of traveling and there are always new museums, art galleries and parks to explore wherever I go. I made a lot of new friends and we often went on adventures together. But that changed when Covid arrived.

My blog posts became more introspective when I sought asylum in Mexico in March of 2020 when my FMM expired. I had given up my work visa when I retired back in 2016 so I was now counting my 180 days again. When I finally made it to Leavenworth at the end of September, I had a lot more freedom and fewer restrictions. Life was a lot more normal than it had been in Mexico. I was able to be vaccinated and was able to obtain medication I required that had not been available in Mexico.

My 180 in the USA was almost up in March of 2021. Do I go to Canada and pay $2000 for a two night hotel stay in isolation and then have nowhere to live once I got out? Do I go back to Mexico and take my chances in a third world country during a pandemic? Thank you to the CDC for coming to the rescue and issuing a level 4 travel advisory against travel to Canada. I retained an attorney and successfully sought asylum in the USA.

It’s now 2023 and I’m pretty much back on track with winters in Mexico and the other six months in the USA and Canada. But my blog posts are very different than the ones I wrote when I initially began the blog on WordPress. One featured photo and more writing. I write about life rather than travel. I occasionally write about family. I still tend to shy away from politics and religion.

I can’t remember the last time I sent out a mass email. Instead I encourage people to read my blog. I have followers around the globe and am grateful for all your support. I’m not the least bit interested in making money from this blog although I know several people who do just that.

I blog because I enjoy writing. I blog to give others some insight into my nomadic lifestyle. I blog in the hope that what I write may impact someone else’s life. I blog for me and I blog for you.

Aug22

Oh No! They’re Gone!

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Oh No! They’re Gone!

In my last post I mentioned how the view of the mountains relaxes me and makes me feel at home. Well that was very short-lived. The smoke has rolled in and it’s time to get out the n95s again. The air is thick with smoke and the hills and mountains are now memories.

We went on a shopping marathon for a couple of hours today. Costco, Safeway and Happy Crop. Yes the groceries came first. But it was interesting to see who was at the pot shop today. No young people at all. Just us old people looking for comfort from the aches and pains as we age.

I’m looking forward to Tai Chi tomorrow. I really missed those classes when I was away in Canada. None of my friends up there are into that, although a couple are into walking. Right now it’s way too smoky out there to walk outside so I appreciated the walk through Costco today.

I dropped down a level in Duolingo. I just couldn’t find that half hour a day while I was away. It was more like only 5 to 10 minutes. But I’m back in there now and am determined to make it back up into the diamond league again this week.

There was an interesting article in my CNN newsfeed today about how airports have evolved into shopping malls with the advent of numerous restaurants and stores vying for space. Dallas got the award for the longest walk of just over two and a half miles to the gate. Of course security screening takes up an abundance of space as well. With the limited food options available on flights there is a demand for more restaurants. Air Canada…are you listening? I’m tired of your bottled water and juice when what I really crave is coffee. Starbucks is always a must when I’m in any airport.

I wonder if there are any deserts left in California today. Hurricane Hilary literally drenched the air and left quite a muddy mess. Floods and landslides are predicted for Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The weather is definitely getting nasty on both the Pacific and the Atlantic sides. And then the rest of North America is a smoky mess due to all the wildfires.

What will I be dodging when I head back to Mexico in October? Hmmmmmm…………..

You have outdone yourself with this limerick today, Alexa. Corniest one ever.

I once met a ninja who sings

When in through a window he swings

He picks air guitar

With his throwing star

But a concert is not what he brings.

Hope you’re having a marvelous Monday!

Aug16

Winnipeg Week 2

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Winnipeg Week 2

The days are flying. It’s been great seeing my friends again. I got together with Sheila for coffee, milkshakes with Della and dinner with Audrey. Rita and I got together with Natasha for dinner one night, And it’s been interesting seeing how the city has changed. It has grown. New subdivisions. New roads. But what hasn’t changed is all the construction. Driving is a challenge with all the zippered lanes and detours.

There is also an air quality alert due to all the smoke blowing in from the rest of Canada. And I thought I’d left all of that behind me in Washington.

On the weekend it was off to Brandon to see my daughter compete at the Powerlift Regionals. Watching her dead lift 147.5 kg totally blew me away. I used to see my daughter in bowling tournaments or perform in musicals and dance recitals when she was younger. This was very different. This weekend was also the first time in eight years I’ve been with both of my kids together. And an added bonus was having my granddaughter there too. I really can’t find the words to express how special the time we spent together was. It was an amazing weekend and I will treasure the memories in my heart.

Back to Winnipeg on Monday where I moved from Rita’s in St. Vital to Jacquie’s in Tuxedo. Audrey and I went out for dinner tonight and tomorrow I move to Donna’s in Westwood. The plan is to pick up my new passport Thursday afternoon and to fly out to Sea-Tac on Monday. So this may or may not be my last post from Winnipeg for a while.

Aug2

Mission Accomplished

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Mission Accomplished

This is the year to renew my passport. I could have done it anywhere in Canada but I decided to go back to Winnipeg. And that brings me to the primary priority purpose of Winnipeg two years in a row. I will actually be with both of my kids together at the same time for the first time in eight years. A bonus is that my granddaughter will also be here.

This morning I went down to Service Canada with forms and photos and travel information. Yes I had to prove that I required a passport ASAP to get it processed quickly. Of course they also asked WHY I was travelling in addition to viewing the booked flight. Not bad. I get to pick up the new passport on the day before I leave after 12 noon. My flight leaves the following morning at 6 am. Thank God I won’t have this hassle again for another ten years!

Rita and I went to VJ’s to celebrate after. For those of you who don’t know, this is a tired old hamburger stand that’s been around forever and is always a must on any visit here. True comfort food following stress. Best gut bombs (chili burgers) ever. Haven’t found anything like this anywhere else I’ve travelled in Canada, USA or Mexico.

The weather here is hot but a little cooler than Washington. Nice to hide inside now after running around in the heat all day.

Okay, Winnipeggers, now that the passport is out of the way I’m looking forward to spending time with my friends. You know who you are and I’ve messaged you my American phone number so you’ll know I’m not a telemarketer or a scammer when it shows up on your call display. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Jul30

Barbie

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Barbie

Yes we went to see it. Joyce and I went to see Barbie. Had to find out what all the hype and controversy was about. I thought it was entertaining and that the overall message was a good one. However I can easily see why some people may have been offended. Loved the ending too.

Last Tai Chi class was on Thursday. Will really miss everyone. Jim is our instructor and is 89 years old and has the patience of a saint. And I’ve made some new friends in that class.

My knees set off the metal detectors at the County Courthouse in Wenatchee. I was hoping to get a passport photo taken but Canada changed the specs in May and they don’t coincide with the specs for the US passport photo.

Painted a gnome at the Cashmere Library on Tuesday. It was actually a female gnome. Didn’t even know they existed. And of course I visited my tree in Cashmere.

Was at Shears in Leavenworth getting my hair styled on Wednesday. Booked my next appointment for October before I head back to Mexico for the winter.

After having to change my password twice, I was finally able to complete the form online so that when I arrive in Vancouver on Monday I’ll have an easier time going through Customs. We’ll see.

Laundry is done and now I just have to pack. Will leave that for tomorrow afternoon. Church tomorrow morning and then out for lunch with Clairesse.

7 am shuttle to Sea-Tac from Wenatchee Monday morning. Then off to Winnipeg via Vancouver.

Watch for my next post from Winnipeg.

Jul10

It Finally Rained Last Night

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It Finally Rained Last Night

Finally some relief from the heat and the fire risk. Thunderstorm overnight. Of course now the sun has come out again and the temperature is sure to soar. Summer in Washington.

On the nightstand. Finished reading Too Much And Never Enough and almost finished The Reckoning. Both excellent reads from Mary Trump.

I watch ME TV occasionally. This morning I was watching an old Perry Mason, the days when attorneys defended the innocent and didn’t spend their time finding loopholes to get the guilty off. Quite refreshing. And then there are the old Leave It To Beaver shows. Life was more wholesome and more simple back then.

We went to see The Little Mermaid on the weekend. Very different from the original animated Disney version. But the music is beautiful and the coral reefs and other scenery were also spectacular. Not sure if I’d want my five year old granddaughter to see this one though. For now I think the old animated version might be the way to go.

Last part of my travel reservations is done. Booked the shuttle from Wenatchee to Sea-Tac. Three weeks from today I’ll be on my way.

I’ve been struggling with the perfect tenses on Duolingo. I wish I wasn’t such a grammar freak. Mexicans don’t have good grammar so I don’t know why I work at it so much. Probably because I used to teach English grammar. And I’m afraid even that is lacking now because I’m not in the classroom anymore.

Time to do some writing – editing my novel and working on a piece for my writers group.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Jul4

Happy Fourth!

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Happy Fourth!

Fourth of July. Independence Day. And I have memories of this day going back decades. When I lived in Winnipeg we’d often drive down to Grand Forks or Fargo to see the fireworks. Back in 2011 I was in Minneapolis with Carole. We went to a band concert out at Lake Minnetonka and watched the fireworks. We also went to a parade in St. Louis Park. When I lived in Leavenworth I’d walk downtown and watch the kids enjoying Kinderfest. But here in East Wenatchee I’m having a lazy day so far. Supposedly fireworks are prohibited in Douglas County, but I’m sure they’ll light up the sky tonight anyways. Washingtonians are like that.

Actually there’s another reason why I’m having a lazy day today. I’m still drained from yesterday. I finally booked my flights to Winnipeg and that is an ordeal I always dread. It may be easy to get to Mexico from Sea-Tac but it sure isn’t easy getting to Winnipeg. I lucked out. I’m actually going to do this within 24 hours. I leave Wenatchee at 7 am and get into Winnipeg at 1:39 am the next day. One shuttle to Sea-Tac and two flights. Drawback is I have to go through Customs in Vancouver, an airport I detest. And I’m also flying Air Canada, an airline I’m not fond of. But Alaska still doesn’t fly to Winnipeg.

But this year I’m determined to get back to Winnipeg although I was there last summer. I have an opportunity to be with both of my kids together for the first time in eight years and I can’t pass that up. As an added bonus my granddaughter will be there too. Somehow when you’re in your seventies and you don’t live in the same country as your kids, it feels a lot different than when you were in your fifties and did that. So when I heard that my daughter was flying in from Kelowna, I knew I had to make this trip. It might be the last time we’re all together again. I’m far from being a pessimist but I look at things very differently than I did when I was younger. And if my kids are reading this and rolling their eyes, there’s no need to panic. I’m not dying of any terminal illness that I know of. I’m just looking forward to us all being together.

On a very different note, we went to see the new Indiana Jones movie on the weekend. I loved it! Okay, the storyline was a little weak and predictable. But the special effects and the stunts were amazing! For a couple of hours there I was totally engrossed and forgot all about the hassle of booking flights and shuttles. I encourage everyone to go and see this movie. You won’t be disappointed. Indiana Jones also brought back memories of seeing a live show at MGM in Orlando decades ago when my kids were little. And I wonder if they remember it.

Happy Fourth of July!

Jun24

Saturday Sentiments

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Saturday Sentiments

I just spent the morning taking photos off my phone and backing them up to two of my three external hard drives. The third one I left in Washington when I returned to Mexico last fall and it hasn’t resurfaced yet. While I enjoy taking photos, I despise the tedious task of organizing them into folders afterwards and backing them up. Alexa, why can’t I train you to do that?

It’s been quite a week. The main headline this week was all about the implosion of the Titan. A horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with people who lost loved ones this week. Another terrible accident claimed the lives of sixteen seniors in Manitoba and nine still remain in hospital in serious condition.

Yay Washington State! It’s official. We have the highest gas prices in the nation!

I had a busy week. Two trips to Leavenworth to teach SAIL. Tai Chi classes and writers’ group. My characters have been quite animated so I’ve been doing a fair amount of writing this week as well. I’ve also had to do some medical research related to my book.

I’m halfway to my 180 so I’m starting to think about traveling. Canada is on my mind once again this summer before I return to Mexico in the fall.

Happy Birthday Kelsey. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow.

May3

Do It Again!

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Do It Again!

So often people want to talk about what they could have or should have done differently. Or maybe they shouldn’t have done it at all. I like to think of things I’ve done and if I had the opportunity would definitely do again. In this post I’ll touch on four of them.

I missed the first couple of weeks of high school. My friends from middle school were all going to Kelvin High and I lived in the catchment area for Grant Park High. My parents refused to sign the form that would have allowed me to change high schools. I never did hand in the registration form at Grant Park so I wasn’t registered anywhere. Instead I hung out at Memorial Park where I met some really interesting people. Of course eventually someone did catch on and I wound up at Grant Park. But those couple of weeks were awesome!

I had just received my certification for teaching ESL from University of Manitoba. I taught in a program at Red River College over the summer. Then it was time to find a job. I received a phone call from a school in Culiacan, Mexico and decided to head south. Yes, Culiacan is notorious for having one of the strongest cartels in the country. But I had a fabulous year in Mexico. It was so fabulous that when I returned to Canada to supposedly stay, instead I turned around and went back to Mexico. The past twelve years have been amazing!

That brings to mind the summer of 2015 when I came to Leavenworth for two weeks and stayed for four months. Then I made the decision to turn into a snowbird after living fulltime in Mexico for a few years. But I have become a snowbird returning to Washington State and not Canada. I’ve lived in different areas and have done some exploring. I’ve met some wonderful people who have now all become a part of my extended family. We laugh, we cry and we have incredible adventures together. It just doesn’t get any better!

But I’ve saved the best for last. I have two fantastic kids and it was worth all the nausea during pregnancy and all the pain during childbirth to be blessed with my son and my daughter. It was well worth moving my office home so I could be with my kids from infancy to adulthood. I enjoyed numerous hours volunteering with all the activities they were involved in. I have fond memories of bands practicing (of course they practice at the drummer’s home), chauffeuring, living in bowling alleys, coaching sports, being Akela of a cub pack and so much more. Yes, those were incredible days indeed!

I would do all of these all over again given the opportunity. High school, college, adulthood. It doesn’t matter. These are all great experiences that I would gladly repeat again.

Mar22

Last Post From Ags

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Last Post From Ags

It seems like I just did my first post from Ags. But this is my last one. I’m traveling next weekend and won’t post on Sunday. So I’ll be back a week from today.

By the way, no one has correctly guessed the place from my last post. No, it’s not my tree either.

The April calendar is already filling up with activities. I’m looking forward to getting back into SAIL classes and training for A Matter Of Balance. I’m also in an awesome group from The Ripple Foundation and can’t wait to meet everyone in person instead of on Zoom.

My friends here are teasing me because I have not really been a morning person this winter. My first morning back in Wenatchee church is at 9 am and then Monday morning I have a hair appointment in Leavenworth at 9 am. And then there are those morning SAIL classes too. Just for fun we’ll throw in the time change too. Washington moved their clocks and Mexico didn’t.

Yesterday was more goodbyes with friends; today too. Two of my friends are moving over to the Yucatan so that means more places to visit. The other day it was the taco stand and the hamburger stand. I’ll miss my chip guy two doors down. And I still have to stop in at the tienda to say goodbye as well as the bakery.

I decided to tune in to something in English on YouTube and found an old Guiding Light from 1980. Yep. A friend got me hooked on this soap. I was pregnant and needed an excessive amount of bedrest according to my doctor so I needed something to entertain me. Interesting. It’s now 2023 and I’m still using Dawn dishwashing liquid and baking Duncan Hines brownies, two of the too many commercials back then.

So far the snow is staying up in the mountains and it better stay that way. I do have boots and a ski jacket in my closet back home but I sure don’t want to have to use them. I’m traveling back in the warmest thing I have – a light hoodie. I will wear tennis shoes instead of sandals.

I’m listening to Blue Rodeo and am going to switch back to working on my book.

Have a great Wednesday, a great week and I’ll see you back here next Wednesday.