As summer begins, I thought I would check back in after a long hiatus and share some exciting news.
On August 1st, Jack and I plan to travel to Coatepec, Mexico near Xalapa in the state of Veracruz. Our lease at our current home ends on July 31st, and we decided not to renew. It was time for us to plan our next move which, after much consideration, led us to Mexico.
First, the cost of living is squeezing us out of the US. Jack can’t work for someone else because he is dedicated to me virtually full time, so we’re dependent entirely upon my disability income, which is small. Every month has us in the red, and that is unsustainable. Mexico offers more “bang for the buck,” so we think this may arrest the financial hemorrhage.
Because of my frail condition, Jack is reluctant to take me too far from the US. In an emergency, I’m a day and a half drive to the border or an hour and a half flight from the Veracruz International Airport. The advantage of traveling by van, as we intend, is to take all the healing aids we've gathered, along with some creature comforts. When we arrive, we plan to continue and, hopefully, enhance our health routines.
Third, our diet is based primarily on tropical and subtropical fruits: bananas, mangos, papayas, melons, etc. We have found that the quality of those fruits, almost all imported, has diminished substantially here in Austin—to the point where we struggle to maintain our preferred raw fruit & veggie diet (frutas y verduras). Our understanding is that Coatepec is in a very soil-rich region with lots of fresh produce year round.
Fourth, we have found ourselves in complete social isolation here in Austin. We have no family/friend network or safety net to help out if an emergency arose. Thus, there are no ties to any community that would keep us here.
We are adherents to the Peak Oil concept and believe that substantial changes are coming to the American lifestyle, if not the world. This is based on a declining supply of oil and natural gas at ever higher prices, leading to eventual crises in the not too distant future. While this may sound “doom and gloom,” there are a growing number of scientific types who are pointing to certain incontestable facts. On one of the lists Jack monitors, The Oil Drum, he met a college professor who is retiring to Mexico from New England to avoid the difficulties he foresees coming: Peak Oil Report. He selected Coatepec as a good spot to ride out the coming storm. He placed a general invitation for others to join him there, and Jack contacted him by phone. We’ve been in communication ever since, and he’s been most helpful in facilitating our transition. Apparently, there is an expat community there.
Next, our research of the area turns up a most agreeable climate, a “cloud forest” that averages 66°F year round, highs in the 80s, lows in the high 40s, a coffee-growing area, full of birds and orchids. We’ve been in email contact with at least one other person there, the co-owner of the local EcoLodge, El Retoño, who has been kind enough to offer to rent a cabin on a monthly basis while we decide if we want to stay longer.
A spiritual element may also be fulfilled for us. Ashram Coatepec offers yoga, meditation, and other lovely activities.
Additionally, while we don’t want to exploit anyone there, we are certainly looking for someone who can assist Jack in caring for me on a long-term basis, within our budget. He hasn't had a day off since I came home from the hospital on May 19, 2007. Finding help would have been financially impossible here in the US. In Mexico, we might actually be bringing a job to someone.
Finally, to complete the circle life often takes us on, Jack and I met in Mexico 11 years ago. Our love and life together began there, and we are happy to be going back.
My mother says we passed through Coatepec on our way to Xalapa back in the day. When I was 12, my father's career took us to Veracruz where we lived for a year. So, the loop goes back even further.
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