My flight to Mexico leaves in less than 36 hours, and yes, I am excited. I am also in FULL CATASTROPHIZING FREAKOUT MODE. My brain is scrolling through every worst case scenario it can imagine. I already hate flying, and the plane from Miami to Merida is much smaller than I’m used to. I think one of the worst aspects of flying for me is the total lack of control I have over travel. Security could take forever, flights could be delayed, my luggage is being handled by strangers and it may or may not make it onto the right plane. I don’t get to choose my seat mate, and I can’t move if I don’t like said seat mate. I can’t control the lights, sounds, or temperature the way I can in the car. I can’t pull over for a snack break or to stretch my legs. You get the picture. I’ve been packing for days, and I’m already paralyzed by the WHAT AM I FORGETTING? panic. Usually I can tell myself, “It’s ok. You can buy what you forget once you get there.” But Mexico’s Walmarts are WAY different than Nashville’s (duh). There’s a whole lot of stuff I won’t be able to find in their supermercados. 

I know, I know. No one wants to hear any complaints from me about taking 2 months off to be a beach bum. I’m not looking for hand-holding or comments like, “Relax! You’ll be fine!”, because when in the history of ever has telling an anxious person to “just relax” been an effective method of calming them down? NEVER. Some of you are worried about little ol me traveling alone in another country and understandably so. I am a little terrified myself. So maybe I’m writing this as much for me as I am for all of you. Here are some things about my trip you should know.

• Chelem is a very small, very quiet town; no tourist traps or hustlers. It’s actually increasing in popularity among expats.
• My AirBNB has a security system.
• Tim and I stayed in this house for a week in July to make sure it would be safe for me to stay there alone, and we had no concerns.
• I am a one mile walk from restaurants.
• There is a shuttle from Chelem to Progresso for 2 pesos a person. Progresso is 10 miles away from Chelem, where there are supermarkets and more restaurants.
• My AirBNB host has arranged for a driver to pick me up at the airport in Merida (which is about 30 miles from Chelem) AND this driver will take me to a supermarket to pick up groceries before driving me to the AirBNB. 
• Tim is hoping to join me for a few days in late January/early February.
• My español is…decent enough…I hope…

In Miami, I maintained radio silence for the 6 weeks I was there (meaning no posts on social media). In Mexico, I’m thinking I may post a weekly update so no one worries whether or not I’m still alive out there. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. I will do my best to appreciate and savor every minute. May your 2021 be a helluva lot better that this hot dumpster fire mess that was 2020.