“Everything will be all right in the end… if it’s not all right then it’s not yet the end.”
I guess you can tell that we re-watched the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this week. I just love that movie. It makes me laugh. We saw it first on the big screen the summer before we pulled out of the driveway hauling our worldly possessions to retire in Mexico. Life sure has been an adventure since then, although not always the one we expected.
This week, after five months of waiting, we got the approval for our home construction project from the state of Quitana Roo. Cue music – happy dance!
David, our builder and Lisa out checking out the placement of the house.
We put a contract on a half acre of lake-front property when we first visited Bacalar, Quitana Roo, a half hour from the Belize-Mexico border, in December 2013. It was a bold move and we returned to Austin to sell our house, retire from our jobs, sell everything and return the following September to begin life in small-town southern Mexico. We never expected to be renting for two years before moving into our own home. We had a lot to learn about how things are done in Mexico.
Our wobbly dock will be replaced eventually. This will be the view from our porch.
We hired a biologist a year ago to submit a three-ring, three-inch environmental impact study to the state oversight agency. Building in an environmentally sensitive area required jumping through many more hoops than we were aware. We turned in the report in October 2014 and got our permission to move forward on Thursday of this week.
The view south from our rickety dock.
Our next steps will be to submit structural plans to the Municipio de Bacalar. Municipalities have oversight over all new construction. We will continue transferring funds to our Mexican bank, open an account with a local construction materials company, who will make weekly deliveries to the property, and work on the interior design. We meet next week with a woodworker to begin making the doors.
A built-in cabinet that we have incorporated into the house design.
I love the idea of niches and built-in cabinets. In a small house it is especially important to optimize the use of all available space. We’ve extended the size of the porch and my studio to allow room for a bed and guests.
We want a similar roof-top patio for star gazing, curling up with a book or entertaining friends.
We’re finally starting to feel excited. Today we go to the property to check out progress on the well and septic system. It’s been one big lesson on how to be happy while life unfolds in its own way.
I love this stonework that is in the home of a neighbor.
This is the time we get to fulfill an unspoken dream, a beautiful home. I’ve never been one to focus on beauty. Our home has always been basic, functional and comfortable. Now is the time to create beauty, something until this time, I’d never really considered. Stay with us, this is when it gets fun. I hope.
DOS TORTA
the adventures of dos tortas 
This is definitely the fun part. So excited for you!
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Come visit soon.
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I have not been excited up to this point. Now, watch out! I can’t wait. I love all the details that go into building. And I get to learn new techniques. Let the fun begin.
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Congratulations!!! Your photos are beautiful and I’m so very happy for you. WHAT an adventure to date, eh? You both inspire me. If you’re in the neighborhood today, I’m in the Cabana…for a few hours 🙂 Would love to see you…other wise, this week for sure.
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Finalmente! I cannot wait to start seeing construction fotos.
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We just got back from the property with a lovely bunch of bananas, two holes for the septic system and a brand new well. Pictures on Facebook.
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Exciting. So love the photos of features you are going to add to the house (the stone wall in particular). May the magic continue. -alicia Sent from my iPad
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Awesome!!!!
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Hey dear Nancy, thanks for stopping by. This is so fun!
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Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the progress on the house. What a beautiful location!
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Thanks Max, it’s pretty remote here, but some days not enough. 😉
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