What a Year it Has Been!!!!

It's hard to believe it is nearly a year since Robert and I landed in Guadalajara.  Its as though we just got here and at the same time have been here for years. So much has happened in this year it makes my head spin. We arrived on May 10 2017. Our good friends George Parks and Kate Forster came with us to offer support and help in a life changing, challenging, monumental move. We had an uneventful flight and went straight from the airport to La Casa Nostra. We were welcomed warmly, and it seemed okay for the three of us to go to our hotel, Nuevo Posada, in Ajijic and leave Robert in the obviously warm and attentive care of the staff at La Casa Nostra. In hindsight I think it would have been better for one of us to spend that first night with Robert. He freaked out and it was a hellish night for us all.George spent most of the night on the phone with Robert and the nurses, offering calm support. Somehow we all made it through that first week. It's a blur to me. Kate helped me move into my unbelievably lovely new home at Quinta Quetzlequatl while George helped get Robert somewhat adjusted to his new home. 

For the past few days I have been trying to get ahold of all that has happened since then. While Robert has been getting acquainted with his new life, and learning how to live within the Mexican culture, I have been doing the same. Our tasks are different. He has had to adjust to the up close and personal warmth of his caregivers. At first he did not know how to interpret the hugs and kisses and strokes coming from them. The Mexican culture is much warmer, and their personal space is much smaller, than we are used to. It has taken a while, but I now notice real affection and acceptance from Robert for several of his helpers. He has also had to adjust to the fact that many of his helpers do not speak fluent English. I do imagine that is very hard for him. It's hard for me too at times, but I am working at learning Spanish and am surprising myself at what I can communicate and understand. Robert also struggles to try to understand what is happening to him health wise. He is less combative than he was a year ago. He seems less paranoid lately. His short term memory is much worse than it was a year ago. Lately he has positive things to say about his care and his home. However, I have learned that this disease is a moving target. I really can't count on any particular behavior. It is constantly changing. 

So while Robert has been doing his best to understand and accept the culture at La Casa Nostra and his condition, I have been learning to live in Mexico. Expats live the life of Riley here on much less money than they can NOB (North of the Border). Most people moved here because of the cost of living and the weather. Since Robert and I moved here out of necessity it has been a slow dawning for me. Robert's Social Security pays for his care, and the price will never go up. There are extra costs for doctors and meds above the $1,800.00 per month to La Casa Nostra. Meanwhile I live on my Social Security plus a bit from our IRA. My costs are about the same as Robert's. So for roughly $5,000.00 per month we both live very well. I feel I have assisted living as well. Gardeners take care of the beautiful gardens, a maid cleans my house, and what do I do besides visiting Robert and making sure all is going as well as possible for him? 

There was much to do during those first months including setting up my new household, learning where to find food, completing our immigration visa process, and learning to use buses and cabs to get around. Learning how to live here was, in fact, a full time job for awhile. We are now both have permanent visa status, meaning we can live here as long as we want. 

As I posted before we have had many very welcome guests. Everyone who comes visits Robert as well as hangs out with me. So while welcoming guests and showing them around a bit I have also been finding a life for myself here. I joined a local Art Association, and through them I discovered the plein air painters. I go out weekly with these painters and have accumulated a pretty impressive little body of work. They invited me into their signature group and also invited me to show work with them at Sol Mexicano in Ajijic. I was honored and delighted to show with them because I already had 6 paintings I was happy to show.

I also discovered the Art House just a few blocks from my home. They make high end reproductions of original art. I took 6 of my paintings to be scanned and printed, and they are gorgeous. I sold 2 reproductions and one original painting from the show. Three of those images will be hanging at Tango, a local restaurant that is extremely popular with expats and Mexicans alike. A lot of art is sold from there. It's an honor and a kick to have work hanging there. 

Nearly everyone who visits falls in love with Chapala Centro, where I live. So much so that 3 of my friends bought a darling house in the compound where I live. So now I have neighbors from my old life here much of the time. As much fun as it has been to have guests from my NOB life here, I have also had a great time meeting my neighbors. Now that "The Season" is over, I am able to spend more time with my local friends and neighbors. The quiet time is nice too. Today I only hear birds in the garden.

I go to a Spanish class up the street from here once a week and absolutely love it. As it turns out I am getting private lessons because the other beginning student moved away. My teacher, Juan, is fun and funny and dedicated to teaching. He is a fabulous teacher and makes it very fun for me. 

For the first 9 or 10 months I lived here without a car, and was okay with it. But when a neighbor told me she was moving and wondered if I'd like to buy their car...I was all over it. A new friend, Amanda, and I bought it together. It is a Nissan March and the perfect car for the little jaunts I regularly take. Seeing Robert is so much easier. It turns out I have a garage here at my house. Not only that, but I recently got a garage door opener. Life is just too easy. 

So friends, art, transportation, Spanish language, a new culture, so much of it new.I am learning so many new things. It takes patience to live here. It also takes takes patience to have a husband with Lewy Body Dementia. Mexico is noisy. Some times it is very noisy and very loud. Sometimes the neighborhood music is so loud it rattles my windows. Mexicans love to celebrate, and there are many celebrations. Most of the celebrations include a parade, fireworks, carnival rides that show up in the middle of the night and leave just as suddenly, and lots of noise. Yes, dogs do bark. Mexicans love to eat and the food is everywhere. Markets and restaurants really are everywhere. Not only is the food abundant, it's really good. Mexicans are unbelievably kind and helpful and respectful, not just to expats but also to each other. Or maybe I should say to each other and even to expats. I think living here might make me a better person. On top of it all Robert is getting the best possible care I can come up with for him. I'm sure there is much more to say, but this is getting kind of long. 

It has been an amazing year. Thanks to all of you who have offered your support. You've made it easier.