Patrick Fenton and Robert Nolin conducted Internet research on Mexico for a solid year before making the move to Chelem last October.
“It was all crap, all the horror stories,” Patrick said recently.
The couple thought their computers would be seized at the border, along with CDs and DVDs.
“They opened one bag, closed it and we were told to go on,” said Robert. “I think of all the stuff we could have brought.”
They vacationed here in 2006, then took another trip from Utah in July 2007 to purchase property.
“We were dreadfully tired of the snow. When we bought this place, we said, ‘that’s it.’ We made it out of there 10 days before snow hit,” Patrick said.
Robert and Patrick own the Bullpen Restaurant near the ball fields, along with four condos they rent. Getting the restaurant up and running has taken longer than originally planned but the goal has not been discarded. The entrepreneurs are still in the process of obtaining the necessary permits to operate a business in Mexico.
“It’s going to be a simple menu and a good menu. We won’t be having 40 items on the menu,” Patrick said. “We’ll probably have one special a day.”
TexMex food has been requested, he added, and will be served. Internet and a book exchange will also be available for customers.
The men will use their hospitality experience in the casino and hotel industry for the Yucatan endeavor. Robert spent 27 years catering to high rollers in Las Vegas casinos and managing casino floors. In the gaming industry, he was known as a “Whale Watcher,” charged with meeting the demands of customers who gambled $1 million or more.
“The goofiest or most ludicrous demand I got was from a high roller from Hong Kong. He wanted a 1937 Silver Shadow Rolls Royce,” Robert recalled. “I got on the Internet and found one. It was delivered in three days. He ended up paying $1.3 million for the car and paid with a cashier’s check.”
Being raised in SinCity, celebrities were a common sight. Bobby Darin lived down the street. Sandra Dee across the street. Robert’s cousin is Tanya Tucker. His parents spent many hours at the Sands Casino watching The Rat Pack perform, he said.
Patrick owned a kite store in southern Utah for the past six years. He served as a judge for state and national kite competitions.
“You’d see five people, each with a six-foot kite, and all five kites flying in precision and unison with every move,” said Patrick.
On a recent trip to see his mother, Patrick, 49, brought back some of his spectacular kites. He hopes to fly them on the beach and ball field.
Robert, who said his age is 30-plus, enjoys stargazing. He sets up a telescope on the roof of his home.
“Having the highest building in Chelem helps,” he said.
Robert also enjoys writing short stories and creating jewelry with precious gems.
“He does some beautiful work,” his partner said.
Robert and Patrick met on an Internet site seven years ago. When the couple decided to move to Mexico, they invited Kaylen Spencer to join them. Kaylen, 21, was a tenant at the time and decided to come along.
“He’s a computer genius and he fit right in. He took right to it,” Patrick said about how Kaylen has adjusted.
The young man agreed. “I’m just happy to be here,” he said. Kaylen couldn’t think of a single thing he misses about the U.S.
Robert wishes there was more music and night life in the village. Patrick could only think of one downside to living here.
“I miss Perry Mason,” he said. “The old black-and-white shows.”
Beachbum conducts interviews with expatriates and collects their stories. Her column, Expat Profiles, can be found here on Yolisto.
Tags: Expat Profiles
