I was just on a 15 day European Vacation. It was amazing! Just great! I’ve written about it extensively in this Blog. So head on over, if you’ve missed it (in the TODAY section).

Today, I am going to discuss how I’ve tried to adjust to “normal” life once back from a life-altering vacation. I was gone a total of 17 days, including travel days (2) to/from Puerto Vallarta to Dallas. From Dallas I connected to Spain, I also returned through Dallas. Both coming and going, I stayed over one night. It was the best connection I could find, and just made sense.

Well, I can tell you this is very true. It’s been 10 days since I got back from Europe and I thought I was fully adjusted a couple of days ago, only to fall asleep on the couch yesterday at 7:00pm. This was most unfortunate as, at 4:00am this morning, I was wide awake. “This too shall pass”, so they say.

Some things were easier when I was working. You kept busy at work, interacted with people, challenges, issues, etc. You kept busy. Being retired, well, so what if I fall asleep at 7pm? I know. I know. No complaints here. While I was working, many of us would say, “I need a vacation after my vacation.” One needs time to “catch up” with responsibilities at home (ie: laundry, mail, errands) and certainly catching up at work (so many emails!).

Well, these issues aren’t really applicable to me. I’m retired. But as many of you know, I keep busy. I’ve got water aerobics class five times a week (Monday through Friday mornings). I’ve also got my English classes at the children’s shelter twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday afternoons). And, let’s not forget volunteering at PetCo every Saturday. All activities I enjoy very much.

I had quite bit of laundry coming back from vacation. And I took it slow. Mostly, because my washer and dryer are small capacity. But nonetheless, I did one load a day. Getting back on track with banking needs (ATM? cash? bills?), grocery shopping, car details (wash? new tires? yes, i had been putting that off for a while) all had to be addressed.

But let’s get back to dreaming about still being on vacation. Yes, I had a bit of that. Could I have stayed longer? Yes, definitely. I see why retired people take long trips. Trips they perhaps have dreamt about or planned for a lifetime. I don’t know that I have ever had any of those trips on my mind – that I’ve planned or dreamt about forever. Returning to Spain was always on my wish list though. And I did just that recently. Would I go back? Yes, absolutely. There’s so much still left to see.

So, coming back from vacation, my head is filled with questions, curiosity, and wonder. Could Spain be a future home for Lola and I? Do I really see myself moving overseas? I don’t know, but I don’t rule it out. You will recall in another Blog I wrote about living the life of a nomad. That moving isn’t something that scares me rather it’s something that I embrace, each time I have moved. I like looking into/investigating the new location. Finding a new place to live. Meeting new people. It’s all an adventure.

So two weeks later, have I adjusted back to my life in Mexico? Yes, I have. Sleeping better now. And, back to my regular routine. Today, I spent the afternoon at the pool. It was a beautiful day. Very warm, sunny with blue skies. One of the things I love most about my retirement in Mexico: the sun, the pool, the tranquility. A good life, really. Very good. And I’m happy. I have made great friends. I have some great neighbors.

So, would I move overseas? It’s too soon to say. Spain really stayed with me though. Such a beautiful country. And as part of the European Union, the travel possibilities are numerous. I’m intrigued. I’m curious. I have a lot of think about, research and investigate over this next year. Where will I be living in 2026? Stay tuned…

In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures of my life today. That is a vacation from a vacation, no?