Who: The Lindsay Family
What: Summer 2016 Family Vacation Number One
When: June 27-July 13, 2016
Where: Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico (and Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Why: To visit family and run reconnaissance for our new home
After spending a whirlwind 17 days in Mazatlan, Mexico I wanted to share a few insights with my readers, especially those considering international travel with little ones, those caring for aging parents, those living the ‘laptop-lifestyle’, those desiring to design a life they love and those who simply want to learn a little bit more about our fabulous ‘little’ family!
Here are 17 tips and tidbits that I gathered up during our vacation that I hope are useful to you!
TRAVEL TIPS
- Pack Modestly. Many items can be obtained at your destination for reasonable prices. I did not pack lotion, soap, toothpaste or a few other ‘essentials’ knowing I could save suitcase space and weight for the things I couldn’t access such as my son’s asthma nebulizer, his special allergen-free snacks and other meds.
- Bring plenty of in-flight entertainment (and jackets, changes of clothes, diapers, wet wipes and snacks) in your carry-on bag(s).
- If possible, schedule customs and immigration crossovers for your final destination to avoid delays and missed connections (we learned that the hard way).
- Be flexible, patient, courteous and understanding. Traveling is stressful for everyone, including airport/airline employees. Avoid being disrespectful or aggressive.
CARING FOR AGING PARENTS
- Take the reins, then let them go. My father (whom we stayed with in Mazatlan) is in the initial stages of dementia (but don’t tell him, he will deny it adamantly). During our stay, on more than one occasion he decided to take it upon himself to leave the house alone in his wheelchair. On days that were over 90* in the shade, this seemed like a bad idea to me but, at the same time, he is an adult man and does need his freedom to roam. So, that being said, I released my vice grip on his chair handles and let him go, but not before warning him if he didn’t go directly where he said he was going and return within 30 minutes I was sending out the infantry to find him. He obliged and returned weary yet pleased with his freedom. My mom always said life is a parabola and she surely was right!
We were blessed to also visit the kiddo’s 96-year old paternal grandmother in Los Angeles - Anticipate their needs. Stock the fridge with cool water, load the restroom up with extra toilet paper rolls, chill the Ensures ahead of time, run laundry before the underwear or towels are gone. Little things like this can bring on unnecessary anxiety.
- Politely listen to the story about that one time when they were playing in the lake…even if you’ve heard it a hundred times. Encourage them and listen attentively.
THE LAPTOP LIFESTYLE
- Don’t forget your laptop. Sounds simple, but guess who forgot her laptop in Mexico? This one right here (#fail)! Preoccupied with making sure everyone was packed and ready, I neglected to grab my laptop from its resting place before dashing out the door to make our return flight. Le Sigh.
- Set “Away” messages. If you are intending to slow your laptop roll a bit while traveling, be sure to set away messages on your email or even consider posting a ‘digital detox’ message on your social media platforms. These measures will ensure that your clientele is aware that it may take a little longer to get a response from you than usual and will not put a hamper on new business.
- Set attainable daily work goals. Acknowledging that you can’t do it all and setting a maximum of three easily manageable-sized work goals each day will enable you to remain present with your family rather than keeping you chained to your computer.
- Wake up Early. Most days of our vacation my husband and I committed to 4am club in order to get our work out of the way so we could spend the remainder of the day playing with the kids. This proved invaluable to us both.
LIFE BY DESIGN
- Set your dreams in motion. Begin with a vision board or journal. Map out the things you love and what you would do with your life if money (responsibility, work, family obligations, etc.) was not an object. Pick one or two things from that list and do them. Skip your daily Starbucks to save up for that skydiving adventure or search discount airline websites for amazing deals to your dream exotic locale. Some things can actually be done without tons of money or resources, will still bring great pleasure and can make for amazing memories!
- Give in to your passion. If you love playing cello or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to make candles or even compete in a Crossfit game, just do it! Begin designing a life you love in the pockets of the life you have. Wake up early, stay up late after work, or even use lunchtime and weekend hours to commit to your passion-project and immerse yourself in it completely during that allotted time.
- Learn from the pros. Invite someone in your passion-project field to lunch or coffee. Ask them how they’ve made their dreams possible and for insight on how you might do the same. While traveling, I spent a great little afternoon with a fellow mom-abroad picking her brain about schools, employment and living the Mazatlan lifestyle while our littles played at the playground. I left feeling encouraged and empowered.
LA VIDA LINDSAY – A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US
- We hit many important milestones on this trip: Vizuri lost her first baby tooth and got her vey first mani-pedi, Mkazo pee’d and poop’d on the potty, and Emery faced his fears at the waterpark.
- My very own need to control things was tested to the limit when we missed our connecting flight in Los Angeles on our way back home. After waiting in the immigration line for nearly two hours, we made it to the check in counter a mere fifteen minutes before departure. The overworked agent looked at us, our kids and our bags and was like, #byefelicia, you’ll be flying out tomorrow. Our trip was extended by, what turned out to be, a great day in Los Angeles with my hubby’s family.
- When we move to Mazatlan later this year, it is likely my boys will be the proverbial ‘ladies’ men’. Women of all ages flocked to caress their luscious manes and continually told me how ‘guapo’ (handsome) they were. By the end of the trip little Emery was getting a little annoyed by it but Mkazo simply soaked in all the wonderful attention!
Well, that there wraps up my 17 Tips and Tidbits from 17 Days in Paradise! Do you have any great tips or advice concerning traveling abroad, caring for an elderly parent, or working from home? I’d love to see what advice you have to share in the comments.
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