cabochick

I can still picture that National Geographic magazine on my grandparent’s dusty coffee table, right next to the Swarovski bowl, full of stale sweets. It was February 1982 and I was 13 years old. Despite the controversy about the Giza pyramids touching each other in the cover photo. It didn’t matter. It ignited a spark within me to travel to this exotic place to marvel at this feat of mankind. But you know how the story goes. Life happens. No matter how I tried. No matter what I planned. I never got there. Then finally one day, I had a text from my best friend, who is also my cousin. I’ll call her Shell. She had just retired, and after years of child-rearing and career climbing, wanted to travel. With me. Her top pick: Egypt. We ... read more

After three long years of minimal travel, it feels amazing to be back on the road again. Plus. I am newly retired. My career as a Correctional Officer done & dusted. Health, check. Attitude, check. Wallet, check. Time to go explore. But. Where to go next? The list is super long. For the past three months, I’ve been all over Mexico enjoying my new gig as a Pet & House Sitter extraordinaire. Christmas, as usual, was with my parentals in San Jose del Cabo, followed by a three week sit in Playa del Carmen. That’s when I found myself between assignments, so I decided to hop across the border and check out Belize. Easy peasy Belizey. Effortlessly, I hitched a ride on a luxurious ADO bus and headed south to Chetumal with the hopes of boarding ... read more

This has got to be the weirdest situation we’ve ever found ourselves in, eh? As global citizens, we gotta do our part. Stay home. Practice safe distancing. Wash our hands. Remain calm. Be respectful. Help neighbours. For me, it all started when a very stern looking Justin Trudeau stared into the camera and said, "...and to those Canadians abroad, it's time to come home now." Our virile Prime Minister's expression told me he might know something I didn't. But what if you have two official homes? Should I stay or should I go? To be honest Justin, I’d much rather stay in Mexico and wake up to glorious sunshine. Decision: Hunker down, see what happens. A month in and things were good in Cabo. No reported Covid19 cases. Then a plane load of American college students ... read more

Wanna go see the Mobula jump? What a silly question. Of course I do. Nothing is more amusing than watching thousands of rays the size of dinner plates hurl themselves out of the sea for a cartwheel and a splat. It's unknown why they do this but several theories abound. Some believe it is some kind of mating ritual. He who smacks the water the loudest gets the most Mobula action? Theory number two, it's a tactic used to scare the shit out of their food. Thirdly, it's to rid themselves of parasites that don't appreciate aerobatic maneuvers. Fourthly, they are trying to outsmart their natural predators. And lastly, they do it for the sheer pleasure of it. I'm going to go with that one.. I swear the Mobula splash down with a sheer glee. Do ... read more

My first night in El Salvador and I was chased around the cobblestone alleyways by youth wearing fireworks. This is a thing apparently. Luckily, I had a snoot full of rum, and can run fairly efficiently in flip flops. Me and all the townsfolk of Suchitoto were happily terrorized for hours by these teens mimicking Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls with exploding pyrotechnics strapped to their backs as they stampede through the darkened streets. I’ve never laughed so hard and been so confused, in all my life. It just so happens this is the week Suchitoto celebrates their patron saint, the Virgin Lucy. I’ve lucked out again! There are a weeks worth of festivities throughout the town with live music, a carnival, street dances, fireworks, and a beauty contest to crown this year’s Queen of Suchitoto. ... read more