Friday, December 12, 2014

You might be ready to retire to Isla if ….

You might be ready to retire to Isla Mujeres Mexico if:

Fishing tournament season

You are familiar with the four seasons: fishing tournament season, whale-shark tour season, we wish the tourists would hurry up and return season, and holy cow things are smoking busy on Isla season.



Swim with the whale shark season


You know that rust is not just a fashion colour made popular in the 1970's, instead it is the ever-present bi-product of salty air and ocean spray corroding everything made of metal. You have learned to love concrete, glass, granite, marble, wood and plastic.




Rust - not just a fashion colour

If the first name of most of your male friends is Juan or Jose, and your female friends are called Maria or Guadalupe. Everyone has a second name or a nickname that they use instead of their biblical first names. Juan Alfredo = Freddy. Juan Batista = Patricio. 

Lawrie was destined to live in Mexico, he is John (Juan) Lawrie, but has always used Lawrie as his first name.



Our daily transportation

Your everyday vehicle is a golf cart. Personal golf carts range from the plain vanilla original colour to a wild assortment of paint jobs, upholstery colours, festive decorations or fancy hubcaps. Individuality is the key!

You instantly recognize the sound of an motorcycle helmet being blown from the rider's head and bouncing across the pavement. According to the law riders are required to secure their helmets, but frequently the straps can be seen flapping in the wind or clenched in the rider's front teeth. It seems to be a choice of looking good, instead of being safer.

Family transportation
You know that five people can, and frequently do, ride on a motorcycle.

When we first moved to Isla three on a motorcycle was pretty novel to us, then four became the standard, and now we hardly notice when a family of five zip past crammed together on a moto. We are waiting for the next level – six passengers! 

 We have also seen up to twelve locals or tourists jammed onto golf carts, and twenty-four people in a pickup truck.

Coveted treasure - 4 litre plastic jugs
You might be ready to retire to Mexico if you understand the value of an empty four-litre plastic jug, complete with a good-fitting screw cap. Early in the morning or later in the evening you might see the familiar parade of motorcycle riders returning from the gas station with a couple of liters of gasoline in a plastic jug. The gas is used for cooking family meals. 

If you put a clean empty container on the curb, it will last about two and a half minutes before someone on a moto scoops it up, shouting “gracias” as they zip away with their treasure.


Wide range of fun friends 
Your friends range in age from early 20's to late 80's and everyone happily gets along. 

The very best thing about living on Isla Mujeres is that no one cares who you were in a previous life. What you did or are doing for a living is just not important. 

What is important is do you enjoy life?  Answer yes to that question and you'll fit right in.

You don't participate in seniors' organ recitals: “Oh, my liver. Oh, my spleen. Oh, my stomach. Oh, my heart.” Try doing that on Isla, and you will get a quirked eye-brow in response. You're getting older ….. oh, well, aren't we all?

Daily attire - short, t-shirt and flip-flops
And finally, you might be ready to retire to Isla Mujeres Mexico, if your daily attire consists of a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops.

Are you ready to retire to Isla?

Hasta Luego





~
Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance. 

Available as e-books everywhere, or paperback on Amazon and here on the island 
at Jenny Penny Beach Boutique. 



Come join the adventure!

6 comments:

Ann said...

We are ready but don't ever think it will happen--we will continue to enjoy a few months in the winter on Isla & the rest of the year here in CT.

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Good morning Ann - it doesn't work for everyone, but we do enjoy our life here. Occasionally I miss the smell of fall, the leaves changing colours and an evening inside with a nice warm fire in the fireplace. Cheers L

Anonymous said...

Is it ok if I wear sun dresses, instead of shorts & t-shirts....I think I could still fit in......

Life's a Beach! said...

Great post! Craig and I disagree on the subject. LOL See ya soon!

CHRISTINA H. said...

IT IS OUR GOAL TO MAKE IT THERE IN THE NEXT 7 YEARS, WE ARE PAYING DOWN DEBT, LOOKING WEEKLY FOR HOMES AND WE TRAVEL THERE REGULARLY TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW EACH SECTION OF THE ISLAND. WE ARE SO READY, I WISH IT COULD HAPPEN NOW BUT WE WILL BE PREPARED WHEN WE FINALLY MAKE IT THERE.

Lynda & Lawrie said...

Hola Anon-y-mouse - yes, sundresses qualify too! Cheers L

Peddling my butt around town!

              Yesterday I bought my 5 th bicycle, a fancy e-bike that will transport me to new adventures. Its less expensive predecessors ...