After George and Marla (Yolisto: nueveninos) Kostis lost all their belongings in a house fire in southwestern Ontario in 2007, they realized the tragedy could become an opportunity.
??We spent about three months being absolutely devastated, and then started thinking that nothing says we had to rebuild in Canada,? Marla said.
The couple considered a half dozen foreign countries before narrowing down their search to Panama and Mexico. Mexico soon moved to the top of the list because of political unrest in Panama.
??Back in the early 70s, we had a foreign exchange student living with us. She'd say that when we retired we should move to Merida because it is very beautiful there. That was always in the back of my mind,? Marla said. ??George always wanted to live on a beach. I always wanted to live where it was warm. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking of Merida."
The couple arrived in Progreso last February on a cruise ship to explore the housing market. A real estate agent who was scheduled to meet them never showed up. They ended up renting a home in Progreso while they searched the area for property.
??I talked to a Mexican insurance agent and she gave me information that steered me away from Chelem and Chuburna because of erosion. She said we couldn't get insurance there,? George said. ??One place a the top of our list was Yucalpeten but I had crossed it off because it was so close to Chelem.?
The insurance factor was vital. After losing a home to fire, the Kostis's wanted to make sure they were fully insured on any future home.
They discovered the agent's information was false, and began looking west of Progreso. The family moved into their Chelem home on the beach in April with their 4-year-old son, Kelton. Eight other children between 18-28 years old live in Canada.
??It's very serene here,? Marla said. ??I like waking up in the morning, opening my eyes and looking at the water. It's an instant calm when I wake up.?
The move has been good for George, also. He suffered serious head injuries in an automobile accident in 1997 that left him in a coma for two weeks. When he regained consciousness, George had to relearn all basic activities. He still suffers short-term memory problems.
??George is so much better here,? his wife said. ??His doctors said he should always spend winters somewhere warm.?
George has taken on woodworking projects during renovations of the family's beach house but has to be careful.
??I have poor judgment skills. I cut myself on a regular basis,? he said. ??I also lost my sense of smell. Half the time it's not really there, and I don't have much of a sense of taste. With the spicy food, it's nice to be down here.?
After the accident, George, 50, was forced to leave his job as a correctional officer. He had lost the ability to react quickly to an emergency situation. But he sees the accident as ??a blessing.?
The couple is devoted to Kelton, who is mentally gifted beyond their expectations. They tried for five years to have another child before Marla became pregnant. George enjoys watching Kelton grow and learn, something he missed with his older children because of his work schedule.
??It was a labor of love to get him,? George said about his youngest child.
Kelton will be home-schooled. He is an avid reader who enjoys computers. The toddler can explain the different operating systems used in computing or grab an atlas and offer an impromptu geography lesson.
??Kelton reads almost as fast as Marla does. He doesn't play, he learns,? said George.
His wife agreed.
??Kelton's books are not children's book, they are reference books. He would spend all day on the computer if we didn't make him go outside. His main interest is anything he can read,? she said.
Marla, 48, was the administrator of a nursing home in Ontario. She is an avid scrapbooking fan who had a room added to her home to house her supplies. She will open the space to others who want to learn or use the myriad of specialized tools she brought to Mexico, including more than 200 sets of stamps, a dry embossing machine, 48 different colors of ink, die cutters, etc.
??I'll do whatever people want. I can provide the area and show people how to do things,? she said.
Marla also plans to improve her Spanish to better communicate.
??I have high school Spanish and can get by. I think it's very rude to go to a country and not learn the language. And, I definitely want Kelton to learn.?
George simply wants to enjoy time with his son and the Mexican culture.
??I like the warmth and the Mexicans themselves. They are hard workers and they are all ?? baring the language barrier ?? friendly and helpful.?
Beachbum conducts interviews with expatriates and collects their stories. Her column, Expat Profiles, can be found here on Yolisto.
Tags: Expat Profiles
