Why Mexico?

There have been a series of questions that people have asked when we tell them that we are moving to Mexico. I will attempt to address them each in their own blog. The first is Why Mexico? I studied and lived in Central Mexico during my junior year in college at The Universidad de Las Americas in Cholula, Puebla 1973-74.

I was in school for nine months, six of which were studying intensive Spanish, four hours a day/four days a week. The school was on a trimester program, so three-day weekends allowed me to travel. I visited Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Monterrey, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Puebla, the Yucatan and Tehuantepec. I fell in love with churches, pyramids, small pueblos, big cities, museos, Mexican artistas, dancing, history, the people and speaking Spanish. At 21 I was designing the house I wanted to build in Mexico. Who knew it would take me forty years to realize my dream.

After my studies in Mexico, I moved to Austin, TX at the suggestion of a teacher who knew how much I loved my time in Mexico. I wanted to continue to speak Spanish and live as part of a Mexican/American community. I never could have imagined the life I’d get to live in Austin. I’ve loved the community and being part of the experience of living here. It’s time for a change. The city has grown and I am ready for a smaller home-base that will allow us to travel and live simply. I feel as if I am going home. I am forever grateful to Lisa who is excited to share this sueño conmigo.

Making tamales for my birthday with my Mexican family  February 1974

View from the Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, outside of Mexico City September 1973

During a festival in Cholula, Puebla.

Tags: retire mexico, tamales, Teotihuacan, travel Mexico