Karley on Life in Different Places

It's been a pretty long winter, maybe everywhere, but definitely here in Winnipeg. This got me to thinking about this hilarious and down to earth woman I know, Karley. I knew she had spent some years living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and I thought she might have some insight on how we (all of us) might move there as well. I could have asked her a thousand more questions but tried to stick to the weather theme. Thanks for the interview Karley, I have massive admiration for you!

1.     Tell me 3 things about yourself! Besides where you’ve lived.

- I love dancing. If I could go dancing every weekend I would. It's the biggest rush and I feel on top of the world when I'm feeling the music and busting ridiculous moves.

- I am IN love with my best friend who I married this past summer.

- I love loud crowded busy places.

2.     Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm outside of Carman, Manitoba before moving to Rosenort, Mb.

3.     Growing up, what was your favourite season and why?

My favorite season has always been summer. It brings out the best in everyone and everything.

4.     Tell me about the places in the world you’ve been since high school.

Travelled a lot in China but lived in Xi'an and Chengdu.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Rosario, Argentina. 

5.     What’s your favourite place that you’ve visited or lived and what makes it your favourite?

Living - Playa del Carmen. Visited -Yangshuo China. The most beautiful scenery you could imagine.

6.     How did you end up in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and how long did you live there?

I moved to Playa because I wanted to live in summer. I'm obsessed with the ocean, the beach and the healthy outdoor lifestyle.

7.     Do you remember your first impressions of it?

My first impressions were 'wow, paradise does exist. I've found my home' also, I was surprised by how many Italians and North Americans reside there.

8.     How would you describe Playa, in a few words?

It's a magical place where time stops and nearly everyone you see has a smile on their face.

9.     What’s the weather like there?

The weather is shockingly hot in the summer months. Rainy season seems never ending. It's almost a relief having a few days of rain. The air is always so fresh.

10.  You had a baby while living there, what was it like raising a baby in Playa?

Contrary to mislead beliefs that everywhere in Mexico is dangerous.. Playa is an amazing place to raise a baby. You live outside. There are so many expat moms with babies to hang out with and your child will become bilingual and often trilingual.

11.  Can you say something about how the weather/climate affected the culture of Playa?

The weather makes it so no one really cares about having the fanciest homes. You literally live outside. Meet outside. Walk everywhere. I never watched TV.

12.  What was the best thing about life over there?

The best thing for me about life over there was going to the beach after work and the laid back lifestyle. You are encouraged to bring your children to outdoor pubs instead of being looked down on for involving your family in nightlife or having a life outside the home.

13.  What’s something that was hard about living in a Mexican resort town?

For me I found it aggravating when I was confused with a rich tourist who would be willingly ripped off.

14.  What part of Playa do the tourists not see?

I always enjoyed walking around town past the tourist streets and seeing the families hanging out in the streets having bbqs and blasting their music outside insanely loud.

15.  How was it to come back to Manitoba, for you and your daughter?

It was hard to leave Mexico because I love living abroad however I'm happy Amy now has the chance to see her family here regularly and I reunited with the absolute love of my life. I would live in the North Pole for the rest of my life if I had to for us to be together.

16.  How do you feel about our climate in Manitoba?

I will honestly never enjoy the winter months. I never have. I think we have the best summers here and the beginning of autumn is stunning.

17.  Can you say something, in your experience, about how the weather affects the culture of Winnipeg?

I think here the face that we have to endure so much cold weather makes a lot of Manitobans prone to winter laziness. At least it does for me. I envy the people who make the best of winter and embrace winter sports. I just can't do it.

18.  How is daily life different in Winnipeg than Playa, including life with the baby boy you are also raising here?

Daily life here is more mechanical and scheduled. And that's not a bad thing. It's just the way it is. I am lucky enough that I'm married to a man who embraces my spontaneity and non-uniform ways of living life.

19.  How does the climate in Winnipeg affect you?

The climate here affects me so much. In the summer I will go for walks for hours and hours with my family. I sleep and eat better. The winter I have to really try hard to get up and go.

20.  I heard you’re hoping to move back there. If everything works out, what are your hopes for what life will be like back in Mexico with your beautiful family?

My hopes are living life simply, happily, healthily and fused with culture and language. I think families raised around people from all over the world are enriched so much that you focus more on 'now' instead of just preparing for later.