We Arrive!

Mexico!! It took a good three days to get acclimated. Start to iron out, unpack, establish daily routines, recover from our travel day and settle in.

Travel day was hard, two flights, and we started early, at the airport by 4.30 am in Vegas. Arriving after two flights a time change and an Uber ride at our Bucerias apartment at about 4pm. So almost 12 hours of displacement. 

And I always think of it like that, like being homeless, having to ‘make do’ a lot. Making do with the wipes we brought, the snacks, the discomfort. 

First steps on his first plane

L traveled well. He passed out of the second and longer flight which was lovely. He spent much of the day on screens but behaved pretty good and there was only one inconvenient needing to go potty!

Geeze it was humid though! Our first driver told us they hadn’t had rain in weeks and I guess we brought in! Raining every evening that first week - creating the thickest air I have ever had the displeasure of knowing, immediately fogging up glasses - hot, bought a sweat rag - hot, three showers a day - hot.

Our Condo in Bucerias. We are on the fourth floor.

Our condo, by the 200 highway, was not suited well for working from home. We thought we would be able to use the kitchen bench / seating area but the sun hit that window all morning and that room was so hot. Before arriving we had thought the outdoor roof top area would be another place to be able to work and it was. It had WiFi, and the pool right there, we did work there one day, but it was hard to coordinate using that space when the nanny wasn’t. 

Oh, the Nanny! Literally the hardest piece of this puzzle for us is care for 3 year old 'L'. 

Now on the day to day Regina can work, she isn’t too bothered by L's routines, he can be loud sometimes but if push came to shove she would be able to work all day with him, home and in her space, as long as he had someone caring for his needs.

I however have a bit more of a challenge. Once in a while I can pop on my laptop while with him, and follow up on something, send a quick email but I can’t be on the phone. Or away from Lenny’s attention for long. He is pretty needy, and I don’t hate that it just makes it tougher, on me and on the nanny!

We are so lucky at home to have an amazing, understanding and beloved care taker for Lenny in our home 20 hours a week. (And a home office to hide in) And how fortunate we were able to find a great Nanny in Mexico too! We asked for referrals through the expatsi and Puerto Vallarta groups we are a part of, met with two ladies, one was great and one was awesome! We used both ladies the first week and Lenny made it clear who to choose for the remainder of our trip. 

Super flexible, a little cheaper than our nanny back home. A sweet girl with lots of experience. We were happy to have him in her care. 

Being a former nanny, I have worked with parents in the home before and it’s doable but annoying! So at home and away I am super aware to keep my distance and of course let the nanny be in charge and do their thing with our boy. 

This meant working at 'Tiny Coffee' a cafe down the street that has WiFi and the loveliest girls working there, on the rooftop deck when the nanny wasnt up there and using the time we had her to explore, get supplies, and take some time for ourselves and of course support Regina in work.

The first week passed quickly, with swimming in the roof top infinity pool in the evenings and exploring the surrounding streets. We ate at Tarantella, Bucerias our first night in town, we have found the Italian food in Bucerias to be awesome and love Toscana Mia too! One evening we took an uber to a Walmart like store La Comer- where we bought fruits and vegetables, cereal, paper towels and a stroller.

We walk through to the town square and the Bucarias sign, get to know the smells and sounds of our street. Found the fruiteria, the carniceria (Butcher) and become regulars at the OXXO (7-11).

Roof Top Infinity Pool

The best Churros! Try the condensed mild filled ones! Theses guys are in the town square - maybe 10 minutes walk from home

Groceries are cheaper, we are finding, and eating out is cheaper than at home, but not 'cheap'. We are paying about $1700 US for a month stay in a one bedroom apartment in Bucerias, so that is not cheap and not sustainable for us. This does include utilities, internet and the aforementioned roof top infinity pool. Its also low season so out of the 16 or so units in our building I dont think any others are occupied, so that means a private roof top infinity pool! On the flipside the sushi restaurant upstairs is closed for the season, and it feels a bit lonely in our apartment building.

The pacific ocean - 8-10 minutes walk from home.

Life begins to settle into our new form. We get used to the humidy and we continue with the ebbs and flows of work, while keeping up to date with the comings and goings of America and our family and friends. We appreciate the little things, like the amazon fire stick so we can get American TV. And buying just what we need - not much more fits in our little apartment. The first week of our stay is behind us now and there are so many adventures and misadventures on the horizon. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!