Today is one of those Mexican days when we appreciate how fortunate we are and how well everything has turned out. While there is a sprinkling of news from those who are going through some tough times, and we keep those friends in mind, we are enjoying some of the best of times preparing for winter here in warm and sunny Manzanillo.
The topic of this letter, “The Acid Test”, is the best way to tell you about our Perla Del Mar and our opportunity to experience life here. Back in the days of the California gold rush, prospectors and dealers needed to be able to tell gold from base metal. To confirm that a find was really gold, the subject sample was given ‘the acid test’. Since then the expression has become a common phrase used to denote authenticity and legitimacy as well as quality in products, and character in people. For us during this particular week it has meant having one’s child and grandchildren approve of the results of the passion that Perla Del Mar has been for us during the past two years; hence ‘the acid test’.
When retiring from our lifetime careers in Agriculture, we and many of our peers were faced with the exciting task of determining the directions we’d take for the rest of our (healthy) lives. That ’six -oh’ birthday is a real reality check and one that has a profound effect on some folks. Retirement publications advise readers to break down their remaining healthy life expectancy years into groups of five and then begin to fill in the spaces. But for some there is no time for contemplation, just a long list of opportunities from which to choose. Still others are confronted with realities that determine their routine each day, limiting their choices. Hopefully not too many of us get stuck in that rut of not being able to make the decision when we should be making one. We all fit somewhere.
Family is a big part of our lives and has somewhat affected our choices. We’ve been blessed with four wonderful children and a plethora of grandchildren. As we took our first semi-retirement breaths, we thought that a new challenge for the two of us should be the leadership role where we would search for recreation opportunities that our family could then all share. One big happy family with the same goals! We can’t remember how long it took us to shake that notion, but it became clear that charging around the warm part of the world looking for a family utopia, was not a shared goal of our expanding family. In fact, the recreation goals of the total family were quite different and varied. With time we were led to realize that where we had expanses of recreation time, they had to carefully choose the best possible use of limited time. We determined that our competition for time with them was and still is the all-inclusive marketers who offer wall-to-wall managed time with maximum value.
Our first living choice in Manzanillo was a well managed condominium development with great views. All of our children visited us there once, but were to our surprise, not anxious to return. With their muted responses fresh in our memories, we revisited what we remembered to be the best of family times shared together over 40 or so years. It seems that while Manzanillo has a near perfect climate, our previous location was simply missing easily accessible water, sand, and a beach. With these items at the top of the list nearly 3 yrs. ago we chose these 45 meters of oceanfront on fabulous Las Brisas beach in Manzanillo. So we’re now ready for inspection and this is the winter then when our family will give Perla Del Mar, ‘the acid test’.
Last weekend we picked up in Puerto Vallarta, the ‘first to stay in Perla child of ours’, along with two grandchildren. Watching their reactions to what we think is a magnificent location on Manzanillo’s Las Brisas beach, was a tentative highlight for us. We know that pictures and words cannot describe this place anymore than a camera can capture a panorama of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains on a clear day from home. The reaction we observed however, was just what we’d hoped. ‘The acid test’ then was our daughter’s reaction verbalized by comments such as: “I had no idea that Perla was this beautiful; Living here is like living in a dream & Who wouldn’t want to spend every day possible here”. The grandkids seem to have taken root as well between the ocean, the sand and Perla’s pool, spending most of their waking hours outdoors. They even like the local tacos and observing how different life in Mexican families appears to be. If the reports that go home to the other three sound anything like what Mom & Dad are hearing here, this may become a special location for our family for years to come, i.e.: it seems to have passed ‘the acid test’.
There is no doubt about the reaction of visitors and investors who visit for the first time. Perla Del Mar is the premium property in this town. Coupled with the good local feel of the Las Brisas community which includes a gradual expansion of local services and businesses, living here is truly a charmed existence. Waking up to a constantly changing seascape of ships, horizons and colours, morning coffee on the deck in a minimum of clothing, and the arrival of whales today, we thank God regularly for our blessings. With a couple more ‘acid tests’ on the horizon this winter and good responses, we’ll know for sure that we’ve found the place.
Our ‘Perla’ is the center of activity for several very happy couples. We have accumulated a good staff of maids, gardeners and security people, and yesterday interviewed a gal for the position of administrator. This team will look after our needs and ensure that our investments in Perla Del Mar are properly maintained. It’s a good feeling to arrive in Manzanillo at any time and have several people really glad to see you, to discover everything the way you left it, and then to sleep in your own bed with the sound of the surf just a few meters away. It’s even better to have family visit and to share good times together on and around this property.
All of these pictures have been taken recently. It seems that some of the photos are becoming redundant, but each sunset is somewhat unique. Changes to Perla are mostly in the form of details now as we wait for the few lucky people who are still to become owners. The strength of the Canadian dollar has created ownership opportunities for many Canadians who are attracted to warmth, oceanfront, seafood and water activities, and who challenge the cultural opportunities that abound here. Everyone who visits is impressed with the friendliness of the people and the value. The list goes on, but still first is climate. A bold statement? Could be but here it is anyway: For over seven months every year, Manzanillo has perfect weather!
