An early lesson in Patience

Tonight was an early lesson in Patience. My sister came over today, and we decided to go for a drive to West Edmonton Mall (I needed to do a quick exchange on some pants). Well, the whole family ended up tagging along and we decided to go out for dinner afterwards. Christina suggested the Olive Garden - they are having their 'never ending pasta bowls' right now. So, I thought it would be really nice to invite my other sister Lesia and of course my mama! My mom and sister don't eat as early as we do, (we eat around 5pm, they eat closer to 6 or 7pm), so we thought a 6pm meet up would be fine. We finished at West Ed a little eary and headed off to the Olive Garden to reserve a spot. They don't take reservations and some times the wait is very long at dinner time. Once we arrive the wait was 30 to 40 minutes. That was ok. I called Lesia, and she told us they would be a little late too. No problem. So by 630 we finally had our table. We placed our orders, had our drinks and waited. The bread sticks, salad and Callym's food came. Oscar only wanted bread sticks! Then we waited. We had more salad and B sticks. Then they brought us more. And we waited. It was now a waiting game. My mom and I ended up taking the boys outside for a few minutes (a good time to have a smoke and let them run off some steam). We came back in and we waited. It was 730. An hour since we ordered, and an hour and 45 minutes since we arrived at the restaurant. After another 20 minutes, the manager came by and said that there was a slight mix-up and the food should be along shortly, He had changed our bill to only show the drinks and Callym's food. He also mentioned that any and all desserts would be on the house. Nice. But.... We still waited. (At this point I would like to mention that this is a LONG time for children to be well-behaved at a restaurant. My kids, did quite well!) By around 815, our food came. It was good, and hot. I wasn't hungry anymore, I had had 4 bowls of Salad and 3 bread sticks. (Also 2 bloody ceasers). Anyways, to no-ones surprise, Chris finished all of his dinner, well we all took our's home for tomorrow's lunch. (BTW Chris also got a dessert to go - Very smart man my Hubby). So, the lesson here? Patience, Patience, Patience. In Latin America we will be lucky to even find a restaurant that will serve us dinner before 6pm. Tapa's the local snack, which is served almost everywhere, will have to tie us over from our siesta's to dinner. An adjustment I think will go over fine. The other lesson, Maybe don't go to The Olive Garden at dinner time, and in a city that is in desperate need of staff that actually give a damn about their jobs! LOL

What's new..

Well, the moving sale has been a success, but we still have more 'stuff'. I think we'll do it again next weekend, and that's it, whatever is left will be donated, packed up or given away (look out family, we're coming by with stuff!) After the first day we went out and treated ourselves with some new clothes. In Central America, people pride themselves on how they look. They aren't vane, but proud. It's not like here in North America where we think it's fine to go grocery shopping in our sweats. They think it's important to look nice, and if we want to fit in, if we want to be accepted, we are going to have to live without our ratty riped up jeans, and stained t-shirts. Chris, my dear sweet husband, who's wife loves him so much, does not have many 'good' clothes. He now has 2 fabulous pairs of pants that I can't wait to see him wear. The boys also got a few things (don't they always?)
Anyways, what's new? Well, as I mentioned, the sale went well, we are now without the following....
Microwave (no more popcorn)
Oscar's bed (he's been sleeping with us lately anyways)
Both of the boys Dressers (it's kind of fun living out of a suitcase)
Kitchen chairs (we'll be having picinic's in the living room for a few weeks!)
Radio (music only on the computer now)
Swing set, Slide and Teeter-Todder
Fire pit ( too cold now anyways)
A few book-shelves and many other little items.
So far so good..... now please, come and buy our stuff!!!!!!

Also, a quick note, Callym seems to be doing great with his new glasses. This makes me happy and sad. I knew with Chris' and my genes he would probubly need them some day, but he is only 4! I wish he was older when he needed them..... But we have noticed that he isn't tripping as much, nor is he running into his brother (we thought he did that on purpose - opps) He is also much better at kicking balls and catching balls. Hmmmmm, I think that's a good thing. Still makes me a little sad tho. Well, if you want to see a picture of him with them on, please check out the post from September 19th.
Also, another quick note, remember that you can subscribe to this blog. It will come straight to your inbox, and you won't need to check in every other day for news!


All our Love,
The Lukies

It's late, I'm not tired, and I'm thinking........

Well, it's only 11:40, not late, but I'm not tired. I'm in bed thinking..... thinking about a lot of things. Thinking about what we're about to do. Thinking about where we're about to go. Thinking what is about to happen. Thinking about what could happen. Thinking..... Is this crazy? Are we as insane as some people are saying? Or am I just thinking this way because I have most of the big important things out of the way and now have 'time' to sit and think 'these' thoughts. I'm not sure. I wish I knew. What are we doing..... I mean, I know what we're doing, but Gosh, Wow. What if we don't find a home? What if the boys don't like it? What if we get sick? I know the answers to these questions, I've told you all already.... Now it seems I have to remind myself. Is this a natural part of any adventure? I mean, this is a HUGE LIFE CHANGING move we're about to make. I not sure that what I am having is doubts, but I am in a way rethinking. Not rethinking the trip (no no no), but rethinking what could happen. What we would, could, should do if a certain cirumstance arise's.... These are a lot of thoughts and 'what if' questions. Maybe I'm just trying to be prepared. I am prepared, I feel prepared, but maybe not enough? Is this a girl thing, a mother thing? to question and what if so much? Ah, I just don't know. I hate having to think this and come up with 'what if' answers. ('what if' answers are the worst mind-confusing-waste-of-precious-time blunders next to lover's misunderstandings). 'What if we don't find a home' (I ask myself) 'Well', (I tell myself), 'it depends on where we are, and how long we have been travelling' 'yes, but what if' (I ask again) 'well, we re-evaluate where we are and what we want'. A good answer, I've been through this before with myself you see, (I knew what I was going to say before I wrote it!)

At any rate, I honestly, deep down think that no matter where you are in your life, and where you are in your dream, re-evaluating your situation is a vital part of living and dreaming. It is so true. We could find the perfect home in a not perfect place, we could find our perfect place and not a home. We could get sick, we could find a great way of life. We could meet wonderful people and make great friends. We could not. We could a lot of things. And maybe we could not... But in the end, I know we will.

I need something to fill my time. To fill my mind. These thoughts are starting to drive me crazy. Maybe I should pack more boxes....

All this and still trying to be a decent parent

Well. We had day one of our moving sale. By most standards it went well, but we still have so much stuff here. And we feel we are minimalistic. Makes me wonder what the type-A's and the Jones' have at their homes. Feel free to respond, you know who you are. The boys have been troopers putting up with our matters of consequence, and they have had a hard time trying to be happy in this time it seems. We have not been playing as much as we can, of course, because, we have to set things up for the sale, book this, ready that, read on this place, drive to get this, worry about money, and to top it off, we stick them with needles containing potentially fatal diseases and say "cause it will get you to the beach". We owe those kids so much for being so strong and going thru so many changes. btw Callym now needs to wear glasses because he has astigmatism, and it seems to be a pretty significant prescription, explains a few things going on around here. Dreams are worth chasing, but they are not all beaches and surfing. Not by a long shot. Chris out.

I love spending money!

Well our VISA is getting a run for it's money... but it is all for the good. I have found a cute little hotel/appartment to stay in for the remainder of October, it's located just 15 minutes north of San Jose - so very easy to get to from the airport. It's a small 2 bedroom place with a kitchen, living room, private bathroom with hot water, and either a balcony or small yard. There is internet service, so we will continue with our blog (thank you for reading by the way!). The town is called Heredia and there are stores near by to shop and buy food. The people at the hotel are very friendly and can help with anything we may need. Tours, transportation, etc. October Accomadations . Heredia is only a 10 or 15 minute drive to the town of Grecia, the cleanest town in latin america. One of the great places that I want to look at homes in. Although it's not near the sea, the prices there are great! I found a wonderful web site Karens Real Estate We have an appointment with her on Monday to look at homes (even I'm surprised at how fast this may be moving, but isin't that the way Chris and I work?). Karen is actually going to interview us for a show called House Hunters International! It's a show on HGTV (one that Chris and I try to watch all the time) They help you find homes in your price range, and help with many of the details! Wish us luck with this, it could be very cool, and who knows, we may be on tv! As for the month of November, we are still looking for a place to stay, no rush... we have time. We are looking in the area of Tambor (if you look at a map of CR, it will be at the south end of the north-west peninsula. Very beautiful (from what we've heard) and quiet. Not touristy, and full of cute little towns and villages. Ah, doesn't that sound like the life???

We have also talked about it, and decided that Belize would make a very nice 'vacation' for Christmas. We talked and talked about it, and were going to go north to Nicaragua, but have decided on Belize. So we are booked at The SeaSpray (if you want to visti!) it seems very nice, beautiful and relaxing actually! 2 minutes from the beach, restaurants, snorkelling, diving, fishing, sitting, etc. It is located in the town of Placencia, one of the places I wanted to stop and look at real estate anyways! Wow, is this trip working out? We will be at the sea-spray for the enitre month of December (Callym wants to know if Santa will surf to our home, and if he'll just bury his presents in the sand under our palm tree?) I'm not sure if we will stay throughout January aswell, but we have time to decide.

As Chris has mentioned, we are working hard, the boys are getting restless..... why oh why do we keep on with the 'matters of consequence'? As the little prince would say 'it's hard to understand Adults, you always need to explain things to them!'

Well, the days go on, and take off for CR is getting closer and closer. Will we be ready..... I wonder. We're ready to go, but our 'stuff' isin't quite there yet. Well, 21 more days. That should be enough..........

btw, just a cute picture of Callym with his new glasses. Enjoy!

And still more to do.

Well, as you can see. Our flight to Costa Rica is booked and confirmed. Now what? Well, we need confirmation that we are in fact leaving Costa Rica, so I will be on the phone with the consulate on Monday finding out exactly what that means. Do we need a flight or bus ticket out of the country? (we would probubly head to Nicaragua after C.R.), or do we need a ticket back to Canada, (we may just book a cheap flight from Cancun to Edmonton to show we are leaving eventually). Either way, it's quite easy and do-able.
I have a few ladies getting back to me about hotels and home rentals for the months up to January. We feel that is far enough in advance, who really knows where we will be in the new year.... we could have found a home by then, or we may be still travelling? Not sure.
Also, our Rabies shots are scheduled (3 apointments each), and that will be the last of them - and all shots we need.
I almost bought a book today. A 400$ book. It was a book about real estate and how to make money, especially in Latin America. I really thought about it, but have decided against it. I'm not sure why I'm not getting it, or why I would. I honestly think that I have enough to do before our October 13th deadline!
I am in the middle of making arangements with a few realtors to actually meet with and go on 'tours' of some homes for sale. That will be interesting. At any rate, I have found even more sites about real estate and they have very attractive prices. One more reason why we need to be there. I want to see if it's really as fabulous as they are telling me. But with prices starting at 15000 for a home and land, it's starting to look like we may just be in for the life of our dreams.......

That's about it for tonight. I have added some more pictures on our other site. Mostly of Callym and Oscar messing around. Enjoy and Love

Booked, Paid for, and Confirmed

Flight Itinerary

Depart
6:25 AM
13 Oct 2007 103 Edmonton, Canada
Las Vegas, NV 8:35 AM 13 Oct 2007


9:40 AM 13 Oct 2007 303 Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ 11:00 AM 13 Oct 2007


11:49 AM 13 Oct 2007 357 Phoenix, AZ
San Jose, Costa Rica 6:10 PM 13 Oct 2007

Where are We Going??? What are We Doing??? And Why????

Well, this may be a long blog or short and to the point, I'm not sure. I will try to be as complete as possible - but please, if I am unclear, ask. We will be happy to clarify.

First.... Where are we going....?
Let me start at the very begining. As many of you will remember - way back, when Chris and I started to talk about moving away. We spoke about Europe, in particular the Mediterranean. Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece, Italy... all came to mind, and all for the same basic reasons. Heat. Sun. Sand. Surf. Slower pace of life. Well, after many months of research on the internet and in books, and too many hours to count emailing and calling realtors and business', we decided that our cost of living there would not give us the time to enjoy why we were going there in the first place.
So
We did more research, called more people, joined more expat forums, emailed new realtors, bought more books, and watched as many shows on different countries as possible. We still wanted the same things as before. Heat. Sun. Sand. Surf. Slower pace of life. But now we added Low cost of living. Bear in mind things like Schooling, Health Care, Safety and more were very high if not top on our list, I don't mention these because they were basic mandatory things we considered when doing our research. So after more research -as I mentioned- We came up with Central or Latin America. Once we had a good feeling about the general area, we started doing research on specific countries and their areas. (Yes more research, please quiz me! sometimes I feel as though I really have too much information about these countries inbedded in my head!) What sort of research did I do. Well for starters, I looked for expats, I wanted their opinion. I read through government websites on the country stats and politics, I visited the CIA website too many times looking at crime rates, death rates, safety, security, population, etc. I bought a subscription to International Living, a magazine that talks about living abroad, working abroad, real-estate, cost of living, expats, insider tips, real life stories, different ways to survive including jobs, real-estate, starting a business and more. There was a ton of information on their site, and most of it was very useful. I book-marked different on-line newspapers and read them weekly. I talked with people here, who knew people there and started emailing with them. I had many questions. This was important. This was not research for a vacation. This was for a new life.
So
Where did this research take me. A few countries have been flaged as potential places of paradise.

Costa Rica is one. Jungle and Surf. Spanish and howler Monkeys.

Belize is another. Jungle and Snorkelling. English and The Cayes.

Honduras and Nicaragua have our curiousity. Sea and Sand. Very simple lives, great real estate and cost of living.

And Dominica seems like a dream. Untouched land of wonder. Beauty and seclusion.

Mexico also has a place in our hearts. ( some of you are now worried - what about all the Canadians that have died there recently?..... Please don't worry. For one, we will not be fall over drunk buying drugs off people in the middle of the night in a tourist area. We will be living a simple life in a simple place, with simple people - We are smart).

Now... What are we doing???
This is a huge question. First, NO! we are not going to just sit on the beach and surf until our money runs out. Nor are we going to be pampered in hotels and all-inclusives until our money runs out. We have many many options that we have discussed over and over with eachother. Over and over. We want to be together as much as possible. The entire day, upon day if we can handle it. We have discussed it, and this is something that we will not budge on. The four of us are important to us, and spending as much time, if not all of our time together is a must. With that said, how will we make money, and what will we do to live. As I mentioned, this has been the source of 100's of hours of talking. We have many ideas, and we are very confident that put in the right situation in the right place, it will work. The research has been done, please trust me. Now, enough blabbering.... what are these ideas....

Eco Lodge / Bed and Breakfast / Hotel / Hostel / Restaurant / Bakery
These are all similar ideas. We would purchase an existing building or have a new building built and start it up ( I have done research on starting a company or business in all of these countries, found out about many tax incentives, etc). We would hire locals (I have done research on hiring in all of the above countries, including minimum wages, safety, health, etc). There is more to this obviously, but the basic idea is here.

Import / Export
Again, this would intail starting up a company. I already have a few people in Canada who would be willing to sell goods from a few of the above listed countries. We also think an Import would work aswell. There are more and more and more Gated Communities coming up in Latin America, full of retired, semi retired, or other Expats all from Britian, USA, and Canada. They crave North American items that you can not find in Latin America ( we are sure of this, from many that we have spoken and still speak to)

Copy Writting.
This is something that Chris has been doing research on, and has actually bought a course on. He has yet to find time to study at all (with all the work we've been doing), but see's this as a great part time thing, and hey, if he get's paid... all the better!!

2nd Home as a Rental
This would be ideal as well, and something that I am REALLY REALLY crossing my fingers for. Real Estate is cheap in Latin America. But vacationing and rentals are usually not. So, if we can, we will buy two homes, and live in whichever is not being rented out for that time. (we've also had people interested in joining us in this type of income) Maybe we would even have one on the Pacific and one on the Caribbena. (Family would not have to pay if your wondering mom :))
--- This brings up another point. Where are we thinking of living when we find our ideal country. Well, we have 2 options really. First we could buy in a gated community. Security, Expats, Ammenities, etc. Or we could buy in the city or village with locals (true living). We aren't sure. That is why we are going to explore. We want to find what is right for us, and we won't know until we get there are try it. This also depends on what we end up doing for income. But rest assured, research has also been done on this area.

On the side, I do want to mention. We do not have any sort of plans to move to a country and live off the land for free. What I mean is that we want to be involved with the community and the people. The environment and land, etc (whether in a gated community or not). We would love to be a part of helping build schools, Eco friendly anything, Conservation and Volunteering in the Rain forest / Jungle and Sea. These are all important to the 4 of us. We have also decided to bring many extra's with us on this trip like crayons, pencils, little toys, etc. Things that the boys can give out to children they meet and play with, as well as donating them to schools that we come across.

Ok, I hope that was satisfactory. Now for the last question. Why. Why would we want to leave all the wonderful things of Canada. Our home. Our family. Our Jobs and Friends. All these things that we truly love. Why oh Why.........

Well, quite simply and to the point is... a new way of life. We are GYPSIES. We are, didn't you know that. Haven't you guessed yet?
But Really. We don't want to be bambared with the rush rush of money money and the stress of feeling that we need all these things that we don't really need!!! Now wait. I know that there are places in Canada that we can achieve this, it's true. But we also want Heat. Sun. Sand. Surf. Slower pace of life. We want to wake up and enjoy each other. We want to learn new things. We want to be a part of something that we know nothing about! Be a family that is a family together. We don't want to wake up and rush off to a job that is mediocre, and be stuck in traffic when we could be together. We don't want a car. We don't want sweaters and mittens. We want fresh air, and fresh foods. Chris has been craving the Ocean ever since he left Australia. We want to walk everywhere. We want to live slowly. We want to say hello to people walking by.

We want to feel that by having eachother and a few simple things, that we have everything.

I know that some of you wont understand this. I know some of you that think this, that we, are crazy. I want you to know that we know what we have - and we feel lucky to have it. And whether you think we're wrong, crazy, brave, stupid, or somewhere in between, we just want more by having less. We need to try this. This is something that Chris and I have been talking about since we met. Yes, over 5 years now we have been talking about it. It's not something sudden (although it may seem that way to some), and it's not something that one of us has convinced the other into. This is something that we both had in mind, and when it was shared, a new adventure started in our minds that has now, it seems come to be.

I hope you enjoy this overly long post. Sorry about the lenght. Please ask us if you have any questions. We love you all, and will miss you so much. But as I said, we are part Gypsie, and I'm sure we'll be back soon (at least for a visit!)

All our love, The Lukies