When we left California we knew that we’d have to lower our standards in certain ways. We left our carseats behind, sold our bike helmets, and stepped out of Whole Foods.
We got to Mexico and ate ceviche, with salsa, from a street side vendor. When we order water at a restaurant we don’t worry if it comes from a bottle or a glass.
We’ve accepted rides in cars without carseats. We’ve taken rides in taxis without seat belts. We once waited for a bus so long we got in a delivery truck in the front seat, with no seat belts, with a stranger.
We have shopped at Walmart and sprayed DEET on our skin. We drink Coke and cocktails from cans. We’re planning on buying precooked bacon and chicken from a can from Costco.
We send our kids to get ice cream, by themselves. Did I mention that they didn’t even eat dairy in the US?
We ate breakfast at a restaurant during the pole dancing lessons and watched the kids perform when it was their turn. They sure can spin!
We went nearly a month without a real shower.
We left our kids with someone we just met so that we could go snorkeling. We sent Ruby to a sleepover on a boat we hadn’t even been on.
We celebrated a birthday yesterday with ice cream sundaes, complete with colored sprinkles and gummy bears. Ruby and Miles didn’t know what ice cream sundaes were, and we let them veer from our old one piece of artificial color candy a year standard.
We got in a car with our friend and Miles sat in my lap in front seat. We didn’t even reach for our seat belts. I had just given Ruby permission to ride home on the pegs of her friend’s bike, with no helmet.
Last night we stayed out late at Ana Bananas, listening to the loud classic rock cover band, until the kids needed to be carried back to the dingy and dropped asleep in their beds without having their teeth brushed.
And tonight we’ll go to a wedding, of a couple we met yesterday, and celebrate with some sparkly boomy things that are usually reserved for American Independence Day, that we bought with the guidance of a nine year old friend of ours.
The thing about Mexico is that we feel safe, and we do what we need to with the resources and information we have here, and every day is a celebration of something. And boy do we have fun!
11 comments
Comment by Lisa (Pelletier) Harmon
Lisa (Pelletier) Harmon February 14, 2012 at 10:18 am
Sounds like you just described a day in the life of a Pelletier, sometime between 1969 and 1979 – my most formidable years of 5 to 15; Errol Street was a perfect place to be a Pelletier grandkid, surrounded by other grandkids. David & I shared in all the things you described, as did our siblings. This was NORMAL. We walked to Pelletier’s Market alone and played outside until dark. You, Victoria, are FINALLY seeing what our childhood was like. Welcome to some of my most wonderful memories!!!! If you get nothing more from this trip than these memories and experiences for your kids, you will remember these for the rest of your life. As will they 🙂 Hugs ~
Comment by Brodi
Brodi February 14, 2012 at 10:19 am
This post reminds me of everything that’s right about cruising…and why we’re prepping to follow in your footsteps in the next couple of years…Props to you and your family for living as you choose!
Comment by jodycoyote
jodycoyote February 14, 2012 at 10:33 am
Wow, V and family….All I can say is, “Wow!”. You’ve truly stepped outside of the dominant paradigm of your land-bound life. Impressive!
[We received all of R’s beautiful letters. Thank you! May we write back? I read the group letter aloud after morning circle on Friday. Everyone was very impressed by the long long list of animals and plants that she’s seen, as well as the dolphin story.]
Much love to all of you. Happy Valentine’s Day too.
Comment by Victoria
Victoria February 16, 2012 at 7:29 pm
It’s great to hear from you! We’d love mail and we’ll be in the same area for the next month. I’ll send you an email separately with the address!
Comment by Michael Robertson
Michael Robertson February 14, 2012 at 11:45 am
Yep, that’s how it is. Gotta love it. Nicely written Victoria.
Comment by tig
tig February 14, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Awesome. I hope you got pics of the kids pole dancing.
Comment by Tucker Bradford
Tucker Bradford February 19, 2012 at 7:34 pm
not just pictures, video too!
Comment by Melinda
Melinda February 15, 2012 at 10:43 am
You are making me “Mexico/cruising” sick. Those years were my favorites! Thanks for sharing.
Daydreams
B Dock
Emery Cove
Comment by laura
laura February 16, 2012 at 6:36 pm
I don’t even know you, but this post was so refreshing…You and your kids are LIVING and having fun. I am so tired of the gluten free, nut free, lactose intolerant, vegan, raw, paleo….
Keep the posts coming–it’s fun to live vicariously through you.
laura (Krister and Amanda’s aunt–Britannia)
Comment by Victoria
Victoria February 16, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Laura, thanks for commenting! Please feel free to not read any of the posts about provisioning in the next couple weeks. There may be a mention or two about finding gluten free grains in Mexico. Krister has offered to be our Awesome Router, and if we are able to find more Internet than they were, we’ll be sure to post pictures too.
Comment by Livia & Carol
Livia & Carol February 17, 2012 at 10:46 am
Because stress is related to almost every kind of illness possible, I always wonder which is worse: worrying about everything or just ingesting it. Obviously, it depends on the toxicity of the item. Worrying about something really toxic is a good idea but spending a lot of time worrying about something barely toxic seems counterproductive.
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