This blog is better than psychotherapy.
Parts of my past come out that I had completely buried. Even the recent past.
If it had not been for our group discussions about houses, I would have forgotten that I was almost part of the RV crowd. Well, the junior branch of the RV crowd.
Back in 2006, I had considered cutting my living expenses by selling my house and moving into what I thought was a relatively classy RV -- a Rialta. One of my co-workers used the adjective "classy." At least, I thought that was what he said.
What he said was "Class C" -- part of the labeling system used in the RV caste system to designate my new love as being one step up from converted van. The equivalent caste in India would be "untouchable."
But I had great plans. I would sell my house, get rid of all of my stuff, and Jiggs and I would hang out in or near my employer's parking lot. Living the life of luxurious gypsies.
This is where the Class C designation hits home. We would do all of that in a 22 foot RV.
No library. No hot tub. Fewer clothes than I stretch to last for a four-week cruise. And a bathroom that needed to be pulled out to form a shower space.
At least, it would have been good training for my living conditions in Mexico. Camping with a twist.
I was such an amateur that I did not even consider details like water and sewer hookups. So much for roughing it in an insurance company's parking lot.
And when I researched the cost of hooking up at an RV park, I discovered I would have been paying the equivalent of what it would cost to rent a comfortable Salem apartment.
Jiggs was relieved. And another of my little dreams was strangled in its crib. The fact that the dream looked a bit like Rosemary's baby probably made its early demise a not very well disguised blessing.
So, I came south with Jiggs to a beautiful beach house.
I thought of the garroted dream yesterday as I was walking around my neighborhood. What had once been a series of bucolic lots was now the site of a massive construction project.
A speculator is betting that the RV crowd would like an additional park in our hook-up happy villages. This one has 21 spaces. A swimming pool. And what looks like a community center, but I am not certain about that.
Generally, it looks rather classy. With one exception. The registration window looks as if it was borrowed from one of the local no-tell motels.
Jiggs and I could have a great time there. The RV park, that is. Had it existed a mere four years ago. Me in a baseball cap. Jiggs in a lounge chair.
What surprised me is how quickly it was built. Obviously, it must have had very good financing. Most projects do not spring up quite that quickly around here.
It is right around the corner from another new establishment. La Oficina (now headquartered in Barra de Navidad) is opening a bar-eatery before too long. All of thse RVers will have a spot close at hand where everyone knows their name.
For all of its real estate problems, this area continues to grow.
And I keep finding parts of my life that I did not even know were there.
45 comments:
When I saw the image at the top of this post I thought you were adding another voting option...
Not a bad idea actually. Keep the apartment and get a small RV for your explorations.
Funny you should mention this. A nomad life was also my fallback option had Mexico not panned out. Here is what I had my eye on:
http://tinyurl.com/98vl556
Where is the new RV park located? There are already so many of them, I'm surprised another one is going up.
I remember my father remarking on trailer parks when I was a girl living in the Southern California desert. He said, wonderingly,"no matter where you build them, they will come."
I believe it's cross corners to the VO plaza. They couldn't sell all those tiny little over priced lots so grouped them together. The other major park is French Canadian which is an issue for some. The ranch is probably closed and Playa was cut in half
I think I am over my RV infatuation.
A friend of mine has one and thinks it is great.
When I was Rialta-minded, my plans were to travel through Canada and The States. I had not even thought of Mexico as an option. That would not happen until 2007.
You are correct. Those lots seem to have been platted to create a Hobbitt village. It is probably a better use of the land. And it looks nice.
I am surprised at the number of RVs and trailers that migrate to the area. But many of the northern visitors are quite frugal. And that is what surprises me more. Most of he parks charge quite a bit.
In the midwest, they seem to be tornado magnets.
Basta! Enough! I need to know where you are going to park your life. Get with it, Cotton, please.
Said with a smile.
There may be a few surprises coming your way. But that will need to wait for the coming week.
Jumping ahead. In case you can't read the print, its a single family island made of trash. I'm guessing the ocean its self is free and the view is to kill for.
The reason it was quicky built is that there were no environmental impact studies, or reports, no sound impact studies, no parking and traffic studies, no sewer impact studies and reports, no air quality study, no endangered species study and report, no living wage study and report, no fire services impact and report no ADA regulatory sign-off, and no building permits and fees.....
You can also get the workers to work longer hours and have more workers as needed without filing health and benefit reports.
That's one of reasons a highway and overpass can be built in Mexico in a few months, while 4 to 5 years when using a fast track, otherwise about 7 years NOB......
Funny you should mention this. I was just reading a study that postulated the American freeway system project that started in the 1950s could not be built in today's regulated America. Not only because of the studies and restrictions, but because of the cost. And somehow it all got done. Unfortunately, all of the restrictions make it very difficult -- and expensive -- merely to maintain it.
Options galore.
Who would have thought we would be faced with such great choices when we were back at RPHS.
"La Oficina" has the best burgers I have ever had. And Steve, they will even put bacon on them.
Bacon will make anything taste good. Even tofu.
Great reply, Señor Kushnir.
And another reason I enjoy Mexico. Probably why most libertarians feel at ease here.
I added the bacon bit just for you.
There are some good toful dishes, why spoil them.
I agree.
At least some more hints.
My buddy Buda was a man who loved his vacation time, he retired, sold his house and bought a RV. Wore it out and bought another-his wife passed. He sold the fancy RV with the basement and pusher in the rear and left in the mini stationwagon that he had pulled behind his covered wagon. Buda sleeps in a tent and cooks over a campfire these days. Deep south is his home in winter, as far north as the road goes is his summer. At the breakfast that we have each month with our fellow retired steelworkers: "Where's Buda now?", is as common as, "pass the coffee please".
An RV is not a bad retirement choice.
For me, "good" and "tofu" do not belong in the same dictionary -- let alone the same sentence. It is right up there with candy, chocolate, and cheese cake. Things I do not eat.
Soon. Soon. An offer may or may not be going on the table on Monday.
Who knows? That may be my next adventure.
One of my own not-dead fantasies is to buy a Sprinter and outfit it to hold the motorcycle and a cot and travel around like that. Still, despite knowing a lot more about Mexico than what I read in the torrid USA press, I still have to confess a certain nervousness about the idea of crossing the border and getting through the northern states without problems from mordida-seeking cops, or other assorted bandidos. But who knows? Maybe I'll get over it and do it some day.
Frankly, I'd kind of like to drive my Mercedes SLK 230 down here, but friends advise that said car would draw too much attention despite being 11 years old.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where the only real menace on the road is traffic like you've never seen anywhere.
Yes, but many of the "northern visitors" have told me in many conversations this is the only trip they take all year.......so its worth it. Far less expensive then a hotel for a few months.
I have a single female friend who sold everything in Hawaii, bought an RV to travel alone for two years. That was 9 years ago. She comes down here in her RV every other year and travels in Mexico about 4 months - never had any problelms or mordidas. Buck up Bud - this country is safer then the USA.
I discussed this new info with a mutual friend and he is still laughing. Quote, "Wait, let me get this straight, Steve Cotton and motorhome, in the same sentence, bwahahahahahahahaheeheeheeheehahahaha, WAIT STOP YOU'RE KILLING ME, HAHAHAHAHA!!!! So, like actually sleeping in it? Hahahaha, ummmmm, sure, yeah, okay.. :)
I got the same reaction from one of my co-workers when I was playing with the notion. "Yeah. Niles driving a motor home."
I agree with Barbra. But I will admit that I would be a bit nervous behind the wheel of your Mercedes. Especially, where you will be living.
That may be it. I keep thinking of my year-round rent. The part-timers are here during the most expensive rental season. My parents had a large Winnebago when I was in the Air Force. I always felt a bit trapped in it when we went on trips together.
A fellow blogger recently posted a picture of a bright pink hummer in Mexico City. I've also seen Mercedes, BMWs, Ferraris and the occasional Lamborghini visiting San Miguel from DF. I also remember seeing a hot pink convertible limousine in Patzcuaro once. I think you can drive just about anything here.
You said you felt like doing something completely different. When will we find out which direction the lifestyle change will take?
I traveled Mexico, and the western US in a Karmann Ghia for five years. I lived in hotels, apartments, houses, and sometimes a small tent. It was a period of true freedom, and great happiness.
Knowing Kim, I am positive he would be far more comfortable without the Mercedes. For the same reason some women do not wear their diamonds and pearls in public.
This coming week. I think. Matters are starting to move.
My Escape has given me the same freedom. But I think a different chapter is about to start.
Where did you learn to bait a hook? Surely not in Powers or in the hallowed chambers. Had to be in the Mill Race!
This is more fun than those Saturday afternoon serials at the movie house.
I can't say I'm wild about any of the three, but I'd like to vote ...Here's my candidate:
http://www.siremax.com.mx/remaxlifestyle/propiedad-detalle.php?id=20457&tipo=casas
Interesting house. Wrong beach.
Hi Shannon,
I would have no problem driving the Merc in DF, it's just getting from the border to here that worries me. But the shape of my car (2 dr tiny convertible) is quite distinctive. (I'd feel similarly about driving something like a Miata which is the same basic shape.) That said, I've seen nice cars with US plates in places like SMA, so the got there somehow. Thanks for the comment to my comment.
Saludos,
Kim G
Post a Comment