Exactly ten years ago today, 16th February 2011, Mrs P and I left our home in Mexico City. We drove the few minutes it takes to get to Coyoacan Centro and we had lunch at El Moheli. This was followed by a walk around the town. Coyoacan was – is – our favourite part of Mexico City. We drove back home, loaded a large suitcase into the car and drove to the airport.
I boarded a British Airways flight back to Blighty. The reasons that lead us to relocate to the UK were many and varied. I had mixed feelings about returning. A part of me was excited at the prospect of being more easily able to buy new gadgets and to travel more frequently, and to go further from home. Another part of me felt that I would be giving up too much for those luxuries.
I remember feeling rather glum as I took my seat. The jet taxied to the runway, turned on the power and lethargically lifted into the smoggy skies of Mexico City. The Living in Mexico chapter of my life was over. But oh, what a thoroughly marvellous, wonderful chapter it was.
I boarded that flight alone. A tearful Mrs P stayed behind to complete the last part of her degree whilst I went ahead to find gainful employment and apply for the spouse visa she needed to join me. She arrived at Heathrow airport six months later, but with much, much more luggage than I had brought.
The photo at the top of the post was the final shot I took in what was still then known as the Distrito Federal. I had, of course, taken thousands upon thousand of others in the six years leading up to that snap. A tiny selection of which I’ve interspersed between paragraphs. They’re a rather random selection of photos. Just ones that caught my eye as I browsed through the albums.
Did Mrs P and I make the right decision in making a new life for ourselves in England? For several years, I bitterly regretted returning here. But we did settle, and my getting a job on the railways made life immeasurably better. And I suspect the current pandemic would have caused us terrible financial strain in Mexico.
But if I’m truly going to answer that question, then I need to know the impossible – how did our alternative lives, the one where we stayed in Mexico, play out? If our alternate selves perished in a fiery car crash in March 2011, then the answer is a definite no.
But still. Ten years ago today. Where does the time go? I just do not know. Nevertheless, I hope to see you all back here in another ten years. Same time, same place. Saludos.
The Mexile 
I spent 5 years with my wife in Puerto Escondido and Patzcuaro. I only returned to Canada once in that time, for a week. I felt like a fish out of water for that week. We returned to Canada due to health problems. We did the snowbird regimen for 12 years, but 2016 and general lack of enjoyment with the US ended that. Also, after our years in Mexico, we didn’t enjoy heat and sun anymore.
I must admit I’m not a fan of snow and cold, but the thought of days in airports does not appeal to me. I know you look forward to it, but the 30 extra years I have on you will keep my travels closer to home…I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our travelling habits and goals change over time, don’t they. My first trip round Mexico in 2003 was spent in hostel dorms. As were all my holidays. These days I need a bit more luxury. Starting with my own room and bathroom.
But I reckon I still have a good couple of decades travelling me. But it’s best I do the far flung destinations sooner, rather than later. I’m guessing that the appeal of long haul flights will somewhat lose their appeal.
LikeLike
Wow, I didn’t realize you’d been gone that long! I’m happy to hear you are planning a return, someday.
We think about returning to the US once in a while but finally realized that even though the excitement of moving would be there the relaxed, friendly, family oriented simple life is what suits us.
LikeLike
A return to Mexico has always been the ‘retirement plan’. Probably not Mexico City. Likely either Queretaro or Merida.
The day will come, I’m sure…
LikeLike
Like Kris, I have spent in Patzcuaro. As a matter of fact I have been living Patzcuaro over twenty years now. I probably ran across Kris sometime. Thing that I am missing in this blog is the photographs from Mexico. They are just coming out as blank rectangles.
LikeLike
Weird. The photos work find this end…
LikeLike