One Year Ago Tonight...

One year ago tonight, we said our last good-byes and our family, two dogs and two cats boarded a plane to start our new life in Belize.  This week has been one of reflection.  Belize to us started as a dream 11 years ago when be purchased land in as a place card for retirement, 1 year ago we made the move.

For the last few days I had planned to go through all the pictures we have taken, bringing us to this moment of "living the dream", but quite honestly I had a hesitation about bringing up all the memories and emotions of doing something I didn't think I was really capable of doing...saying good-bye and moving internationally.

It may sound exciting, even full of adventure, or just plain crazy to move to another country and another culture and start over.  But I can only tell you I am where I am today because of the love of my friends and family who held me together when I was falling apart; as my world was changing and there was no "stop" button.

What were the hardest part of the move?  The good-byes....

Colin hugging Opie good-bye

I said good-bye to my BFF and best smelling friend a girl could ever have...my horse Opie.  He is my ultimate secret keeper, the one who would always listen to my problems, the one whose eyes I would just gaze in and get lost in his soul.  He's enjoying the retirement life too, at a friends farm in Tennessee.  That good bye still brings tears to my eyes and an ache to my chest.  I hope to visit him someday.  He's 24 years old, and has some aging medical issues they are tending to.



Saying good-bye to my mom...we have become so close, she has been my biggest supporter and strength.  She knew if she had shed one tear in front of me or said "I don't want you to go", I would have stayed. Even in moments of my own fears when I would run to her, she stayed my strength, the one who pushed me to follow my dreams, my hero and the only reason I made it here.

My amazing friends who have taught me so much...you know who you are.  My coffee girls, and the deep talks we would have.  My gal pals who I could monkey face cry hysterically and would talk me through the roller-coaster ride of life.  My dock mates 2 slips down... you are both so close to my heart.  I cherish all the laughs and time we spent together.  My amazing friend on Desert Olive Court...I could never spend enough time with you, I hope my future holds as many friends for me as you have shoes.  Not least, is my "fun sized" neighbor and friend...the one who saw me through the whole move, let me borrow an air mattress, card table and chairs and fed us for our last two weeks and drove me to the airport, who gave me all the support a family could ever have.  It's easy to love a friend, but it is harder to "be" a friend.  You are an amazing friend. There were many more, all who have have a big part of my heart and my life and why I am who I am today.

Tomorrow will be a day of celebration for us and a day to reflect on all the awesome things we have experienced and the people who have been placed in our lives because of Belize.  Tonight I reflect on all the amazing people in my life who helped me get here.

Going to the Belize Doctor...

Our family has always been fortunate to be covered by medical insurance.  As I grew up in the U.S. I was mentally conditioned to gain and have medical insurance.  In my family, getting a good job, meant a job with medical benefits.   So when we moved to Belize, we terminated our $900 a month premium for U.S. medical insurance.  Mentally, it was the hardest thing to give up.  How could I live without medical insurance?

Dr. Sanchez's office

Well, it had to happen at some point... I needed to see a medical doctor.  This was a fear of mine as I was also mentally conditioned that the best medical care was only found in the U.S.  I recently experienced a minor auto accident.  I knew I had whiplash, but the headaches weren't going away.  Also, I had recently experienced a high fever and stomach problems which I self treated with my "medical bag-o-tricks" I brought from the States.  I'm not a doctor, I only have the knowledge of my past sicknesses and what my body responds best to.  This stomach thing wasn't going totally away after 7 days. So with constant headaches and intestinal problems, I knew I had to find a doctor.

Dr. Jose Sanchez

Here in Belize, you don't make an appointment for a doctors visit.  You just go and wait your turn.  When I heard this, I was picturing my many past experiences at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles with never ending lines.  I've also had many past experiences waiting hours for a doctor to see me when I had an "appointment".   So you can imagine the thought of just going to the doctors office and waiting until it is your turn did not sit well with me. After a few recommendations from friends, I chose to see Dr. Jose Sanchez.

Dr. Sanchez' exam room

Upon entering the door at Dr. Sanchez's office, I was greeted by the receptionist and Dr. Sanchez.  He shook my hand, and we walked right back into his office/exam room.  NO waiting!  No long lines!  Dr. Sanchez took time to learn about me and genuinely listened to me.  He examined my neck, and stated I have a pulled neck muscle and it will take a bit longer for it to heal.  But just out of precaution, he would like to order some x-rays.   For my intestinal issues, I was honest that told him I started a broad-based antibiotic 5 days prior.  If I was in the States, a typical doctor would be upset with me and question where did I get the antibiotics.  But this wasn't the case.  He actually told me I did the right thing and he was glad I started the antibiotics; stating the one I used was the one he would have chosen! He felt I may have a case of E-coli.  He wanted to monitor the bacteria so he ordered some lab tests.  After a 25 minute visit, my bill for Dr. Sanchez services was $20 U.S.   I walked across the street to the lab, where I obtained the tests for $7.50 U.S., the results were ready in a hour, during which I ran some errands.  After picking up the test results, I visited Dr. Sanchez for a second time, (this time my wait was 5 minutes), and he asked me to continue the antibiotics for a few more days and then retake the lab test.

To get the x-ray Dr. Sanchez made me an appointment at a lab in Belmopan (25 miles away) for the next day.  In Belmopan the whole process took 40 minutes and I walked out with films and the x-ray results.  Total radiologist bill...$27.50 U.S.

Lab Across the street from Doc.

For the next few days, Dr. Sanchez had me re-take some labs to monitor the bacteria progress.   After 15 days, I got a clean bill of health.  I saw Dr. Sanchez four times, for which he only charged me for the first visit $20 US. I never waited longer than 10 minutes to see the doctor.  I received 3 lab tests totaling $22.50 US, and a cervical x-ray for $27.50 US.  Comparing these costs to when we were covered by medical insurance, my co-pays were equal or more than what I was charged here in Belize.  In addition, no insurance hassles or approvals or waiting weeks to get an appointment.  It was a no hassle experience.  I actually have to say my Belize heath care experience has been more enjoyable here than back in the US!  

Although there are some medications you must get a prescription for,  I can easily obtain over the counter all my ongoing medicines prescribed in the U.S. My medicines, which would cost me $75 co-pay in the States, totals $7.50 US a month in Belize.  Interesting.

A big sigh of relief and no more worries about seeing a doctor outside of the States.  Actually, I'll be more apt to visit a doctor here in Belize, knowing all the hassles and waiting associated with US healthcare are not here.

Perspective after 4 months

We figured it would take us about 4 months to settle in and get a new routine for our new lives.  4 months to get the boxes unpacked, and house expansions complete.  4 months of Michael adjusting to retirement life and adjusting into co-teaching the home school curriculum we use for our son.  4 months for all of us to find a healthy network of friends to fill the relationship void of leaving behind all our friends and family.  4 months to get accepted by our new church congregation (we are the outsider white folk here).  4 months for me to figure out how Mike's retirement will fit into my daily life i.e. can I really stand to have him home all day.  4 months for our 12 year old son to adjust to our new way of life and network.  At the end of 4 months, we would be back in Las Vegas for a few days, as Mike needs to return to UNLV every 6 months.  He teaches an online course for them, at the end of the course, his students present their masters projects on campus.  A quick trip to Vegas would allow me to have touch with "reality as I have know it for 44 years" and to see my mom.

Status check...Well, I have a closet of boxes left to unpack, not too bad.  Seems, I've always had a few boxes I never seem to unpack through our life moves.  The house expansion is complete! Actually it was one of the first things we started and finished within just 3 weeks.  Now we have ample space for visitors to stay comfortably in their own 800 sf area downstairs; not apart of our home.

Our son has made many friends, he actually has more friends here than when we lived at our last house.  Most are ex-pat kids.  All are great kids, he hosts and attends many slumber parties, attends activities, enjoys the unique experiences with his friends such as exotic bone digging alongside a local wildlife veterinarian while learning about animal anatomy.  He and his friends attended a seminar on the healing powers of the jungle plants from a well know local author on the subject of natural remedies.   So far,  he's trekked through the jungle, experienced mayan ruins, had a possum in his pants, (a real live possum), swam in local rivers, slid down local waterfalls, and hiked through caves.  Texting and Facebook help him stay in touch with his buds in the States.  We do have internet for his online games of Modern Warfare. Although, he had a huge "homesick" episode just before we visited the States, Belize has been exciting to him.  We have watched his personality bloom while he is here.

As with any move, it is good to network with "like" people immediately.  During our research trip last May, we found our new church home in Calvary Chapel Cayo.  We were here less than 2 weeks and we had our sleeves rolled up, cutting down jungle and clearing the land for our new church building.  We are leading the youth group of 15-25 kids on Friday nights.  We've painted the church bus, by hand in 4 days. On Sunday nights, we provide hotdogs before church, we serve over 225 meals to our congregation families each month.  Our son is the "Church D.J." as he runs the projector on Friday and Sunday nights.

Although we miss our friends in the States, we are blessed to have made many great ones here.   It's like a big family we have created.  We don't have a void in friendships and we meet new friends quite regularly.  Mike and I have always been able to make friends quite easy.  We're even making some "local Belizean" friends, which is quite a hard barrier to break as the outsider moving in.  Culturally, people will gravitate to the groups they know and understand.  Here in Belize, the barriers are  strong.  The Chinese have their own community, and so on.  Although, most of our friends are "white" we are slowly breaking the barriers of cultural community.  Yeah, to you it may not be politically correct to say "white", but here they say it.  One guy told me "you white people seem pretty honest".  I said excuse me?  What did you say?  He repeated the statement again, clearly and slower.  Yup, he said "you white people"  LOL.

On a funny note, when we walk into our bank, they don't ask for our names, they just pull up our account or hand us our bank statements without asking for i.d.  They must see us coming and think.."here come the white people".   10% of our community is made of "ex-patriots" and not all "ex-patriots" are "white" so we do stick out a bit and the vendors just assume we are tourists as they try and sell us trinkets on the main street.

Our biggest challenge is Mike's concept of being retired.  He obviously thought it meant sleeping in and sitting around watching t.v., staying up late to watch movies, and sleeping in again.  He was allowed a few days of this concept before I put a screaming end to this.  The start of home-school helped break this cycle a bit, although he still wants to take the afternoon shift so he can sleep in.  Once Rip Van Winkle started coming out of his slumber, his natural management skills kicked in.  Again, another adjustment for us as I informed him he will not convert into "managing" my chores and my day.  This will continue to be a work in progress as two strong willed adults learn to co-exist in a smaller home.  He thinks he is busy, but nothing to the schedules we used to keep in the States.  He says his image of retirement mocks him.

We couldn't wait to return to the States recently, as we all were a bit homesick.  There was a list of restaurants and foods we must have during our visit.  Domino's pizza, Red Robin, a good steak, McDonald's fries mocked our taste bud memories and we could't wait to enjoy it all.  We found out our bellies and taste buds adjusted away from all the greasy goodness.  Our memory of these foods was better than the actual foods!  Being back in Vegas also taught us about how deep some of our friendships are.  Long distance is hard on any relationship.  We are blessed to be welcomed by so many, and it just make my heart jump when I saw friends who took the time to seek us out to be with us.  Sitting in my home church with my girlfriends was so empowering to my heart and soul.  My friends even had their baby girl the night before we left to go back to Belize.  I KNEW I would see her face before I left.  I could envision her perfect little face in my mind.  She looked just like I knew she would...amazing.

My first morning back in Belize, I drank my coffee on the porch wearing shorts, (winter attire here) and watched the parrots jump from tree to tree.  A butterfly landed on my shoulder and I realized I am HOME, my new home is San Ignacio, Belize.  Returning back to Belize, our friends, and church family were happy we were home.  It is nice to be missed amongst our new found country.

I look back over the last 4 months,  I can't believe we have accomplished everything we did.  I still can't believe I survived moving internationally with 2 large dogs and 2 cats.  I still wake up in the mornings thinking I will be waking up in Henderson, NV.  I'm told it will take about a year or so to adjust to life overseas.  I wonder how long it will take for a family to adjust to having a newly retired man in the house all the time.

Flying with cats and dogs....

Leading up to our move, there was more than just packing moving boxes and saying good-byes.  We were moving with two large dogs and two cats via airplane.  In my mind (Amanda typing), this was my biggest fear of the whole move.  So many times I have heard of horror stories about animals that have died during flying.  We love our four legged family.  It was my goal to prepare them for this event.

With our two hounds weighing in at 85lbs. and 105lbs, the logistics alone had me a bit puzzled. First, we purchased jumbo dog carriers about a month before the big move.  With them in our home, we would pal around with our dogs and say in a happy voice.."wanna go bye bye?" and lead them into the crate to help create the association of "something good".  During the last week, we would actually lock them into the crates for small amounts of time to get used to being crated, as they have never been crate dogs.

We also purchased new "airline approved" cat carriers which fit under our seat.  The thought of a cat meowing the whole time, as they do on the way to the vets, was a constant fear.

The airlines did not want our animals drugged and we abided.  They received their health checks from the local vet, made sure they were current on all shots 30 days before travel, and received our Belize Health Certificate from BAHA via fax.  We even did a dry run with Continental Airlines official animal lady in Vegas nicknamed the "Dog Nazi"; who will not let an animal travel until every sticker is correctly located on the crate, every crate must be within size and regulation standards, and every i must be dotted and t crossed for travel to happen.

The airlines do not take the dogs out of the crates and they had, with layovers and early arrivals...11 hours of crate time.  11 hours of bladder holding.  I hoped the extra cheese given the previous day would keep them constipated for a while.  We did not need an accident to happen.

Thanks to our friends, we had a Cyphers caravan enroute to the airport.  One vehicle held the humans, cats, and luggage.  The other, carried the dogs and their crates.

Actually, the dogs held it well, with no issues, no stress, and no barking.  It was our old cat named Bobby.  He is such a pain in the butt, I actually named him after a prior Henderson Mayor.  The name fits.

So we make it to the Las Vegas airport and Bobby aka "pain in the a__" decided he is scared to death and peed himself.  The canvas cat tote was soaked along with the cat.  It you know cat urine, you know this was not a good moment.  We haven't even got on the plane yet and we already had an accident.  So off to the ladies room I go, with cat and tote in hand to clean the tote and give the cat a bath in the sink.  I don't have to mention cats and water don't mix well.  If not for the sounds coming out of a scared wet cat, then I'm surprised PETA wasn't called for me holding onto the cat by the neck with one hand as I wash the tote with the other.  you should have seen all the double-take looks we got from ladies entering the restroom door to find a wet hairball, and me half covered in water.  Of course the site of me trying to dry the cat with the auto air machine was another first in my life experience.

While all of this was going on, I was a walking zombie trying to function and walk straight; a true scene out of "Weekend at Bernies".  My doctor made sure I was well medicated for this moment as I was scared to death about moving on top of freaking out about flying.  I've experienced panic attacks on my last airline flight and was told kindly from the flight attendant that people like me should not fly.

Poor Michael, dealing with a drugged wife, and 4 un-drugged animals, and a crying kid as he had to say goodbye to his best friend that night.


 Our trip consisted of a red eye to Houston,  a 3 hour layover and a flight to Belize.  We arrived to our new country at 10:30 in the morning.  From what I am told, (remember I was drugged here)  the cats and I did not make a peep the whole trip.  There were many forms and permits to pay to get the dogs in Belize, I'm sure the dogs had all four legs crossed during this time.


So we walk out of the airport and what an AWESOME MOMENT!!  We were greeted by our Belize friends Sam and Shelley, and our Pastor Patrick, his wife Deana, one of their sons, Caleb, and Deana's visiting dad.  Patrick brought the church bus (an old yellow school bus) to pick us, our luggage, animals, and dog crates to take us 80 miles to our new home.

As you know we sent our belongings a month ahead via container, which was here for us when we arrived.  A quick call from Mike to the shippers and the truck filled with our boxes arrived at our new home the same time as our bus crew.  Everyone rolled up their sleeves and carried our boxes to the appropriate rooms for us to un-pack.  Wow, we were blessed right away with a group of people who understand the real meaning of community; as we can only experience  life, with the help, understanding and companionship of one other.  No training needed on our end.  Belize immediately felt like home.  We are home.  Of course I realize this a few days later when I woke up from the chemical fog I was in.

The last few weeks was all a blur...

As of this date we are here in Belize, but I want to take some time to catch you up with our experiences on this journey.  I'll be posting a few blogs over the next week or so.  The movers picked up our stuff as promised (about a month before we left for Belize ourselves) and we found homes for all the stuff we didn't take.  We lived in a half empty home (we still had our fridge, couch, bed, washer and drier) up until the final few days when our friend who had purchased those items took delivery.   We spent the last week on an borrowed air mattress, a borrowed card table and chairs and many of our friends had us over for dinner since my pots and pans were packed...darn.

Two things happened during this time.  With all our "stuff" packed an on the way to Belize before us, we pondered if we needed such "stuff" to begin with.  Second, we had to rely on our community of friends for help.  It has never been easy for us to borrow things, but we learned the necessity of each other, a lesson heavily needed in Belize.

Personally, (Amanda typing) I had a rough time with the thought of moving.  Everything, I mean everything was changing in my world and there was nothing I could do to stop it.  This was a true leap of faith, a lesson I never am strong to learn.  I'm not proud to say, but I cried many tears of fear, I was held by many friends, and prayed many prayers for strength.

With our stuff on the way to Belize, there was no turning back.  Our things left on a container ship from LA, to a dock weeks later in Guatemala.  From there it was transported a few hundred miles through Guatemala to Belize.  I did have my worries about the safety of our possessions as we did not get moving insurance nor was it offered.  We found out our earthly possessions were all transported via a Chiquita Banana Container on its way to pick up more bananas from Guatemala/Belize.

It turned out our container (minus bikes, a mattress, couch & love seat which will be here in mid-September) made it to Belize without a hitch.  None of the boxes were opened at Customs and our boxes arrived a week before we did.  The moving company just stored the boxes until we arrived.  I would say we had a hand full of broken glasses/plates, but nothing of importance.

Michael retired from his career at same time House Hunters International was filming us for an upcoming show.  We were crazy to respond to House Hunters.  Dealing with the show taping, emotions, and retirement celebrations was exhausting on top of all the normal headaches of moving.

On Michael's last day of work, I met him at his office and hand in hand we walked out of the building he has worked in for 12 years.  He thought it wouldn't be an emotional big deal, as he continued to have his head in "cloud nine".  But he soon realized this wan't a typical day.  A new chapter was starting for us, as our professional lives had ended.

The last Saturday night in Vegas we were able to hold a bon voyage gathering at our typical weekend stomping grounds...the marina.  We had a wonderful turnout of friends and some surprise visitors and we will treasure the memories of that night forever.  For as many years as we dreamed of moving to Belize, we have dreamed of what our going away party would be like.  We hit it right on the head, a laid back gathering with good friends.  Two friends in particular and very close to us, were especially hard to say goodbye to.  One slipped out of the party and I didn't get to share a goodbye with, the other part of the dynamic duo, did stay and we had a hard time saying goodbye with many "monkey face" tears from both of us.  I don't know which is harder to deal with, saying goodbye or not saying goodbye.  But I do know this...you don't know the true depth of love for a friend until you have to say goodbye.

T minus 8 days until the movers are here...

Well, it's been 60 days since our decision to make the "big move" to San Ignacio, Belize.  I (Mandy typing) knew once we came back from our 19 day Belize Adventure, our lives would turn hectic until we unpack the last box in our new home.

I want to be truthful about this move.  It isn't easy.  Oh, everyone says, "How exciting!" or "Wow, I wish I were you!"  I just kind of chuckle inside because moving to another country is more fearful and overwhelming than one might think.

For the last few weeks, we have been sorting our possessions into piles...sell it, store it, take it, gift it, throw it, donate it, and my favorite...I'm too overwhelmed with this, I'll think about it later pile.  It's coming down to the wire of when the movers pick up our "take it" choices.  They show up at our home with a moving van, drive to Los Angeles to load on a shipment container.  Then they will pick up in port of Guatemala, and drive our things to our new home with a target date around August 16th or so...and this may be the easy part.

Traveling with two cats and 85lb. and 105lb. dogs via airline can be a hassle itself.  Shots have to be within 1 year and not less than 30 days. Health certificates have to be within 10 days of travel. Purchase of extra large dog crates and carry-on cat containers are not cheap.  Also, the airfare for the animals is over $1000 for all four.

Once the movers leave, we have 4 weeks in town until we depart.  This should allow us time to have some sort of "bon voyage" gathering, on top of filming for House Hunters International "back story", and Mike's celebration of "retirement at 46".

While Mike continues to have his head in "Cloud 9" about closing this chapter of our lives and starting another, I have my moments of questioning my insanity while I drag my feet on the long list of to do's before the big day.  Well, back to the packing, making final doctor and dental appointments, and all the details and logistics of international moving.

It's Official...Changes in Latitudes

At the end of our last blog we shared this quote of Alan Cohen..."It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new.  But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.  There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."


In our past blog titled...Mayan Ruins, Monkeys and Ruins, we mentioned we were "up" to something, but we just couldn't share what it was.  Well, the time has come to share...we have found a house and a home in the Cayo District.  This will be an extremely busy summer for us as our target date is to be in Belize by the time school starts end of August.  We will be traveling light so we will be selling the majority of our material life away.


Although this is an exciting, exhausting time in our lives, there will be many "emotional" moments, as I (Mandy typing) don't handle good-byes very well.  I am sorry as many of our close friends will be hearing the news by this blog.  We just didn't have the time to call everyone personally to share the news.  For those we have personally spoken with and have followed us on Facebook and this blog, we are shocked that many of you didn't get it...come on...we were pricing dishes and refrigerators, and finding a church home for us!!!  Mike's official last day of work is July 28th.  As one of his favorite songs states. "I'm not calling in sick, I'm calling in gone."


We look forward to seeing everyone near and dear to our hearts during this summer.  Our future home has plenty of room for all our friends and family to visit.  We wouldn't have it any other way.  Yes, there WILL be a future bon voyage celebration.


In the meantime, we will have some fun with our situation. Do you ever watch "House Hunters International"?  Well, we will be playing the game with all our Facebook friends.  Let's see if you can guess which one we bought!


You may now have insight to the name of our blog "Our Belize Adventure 2011", it just doesn't include the research trip.  Stay tuned and follow as we post about the adventure of selling practically everything, and traveling with two dogs and cats to the small country of Belize.


Our Belize Adventure has only begun.