I’d been in Mazatlan, Mexico for exactly one day when I received an email from Nancy Dardarian. She and her husband are American expats from the Seattle area who retired to Mazatlan more than two years ago. When they first started thinking about moving permanently to Mexico, Nancy and Paul launched a blog, Countdown to Mexico, in order to chronicle the entire decision making and relocation process. Not only is it a great resource for anyone considering moving to Mexico, it’s full of the most interesting information about Mazatlan.
Nancy and Paul Dardarian, Mazatlan, Mexico
But here’s the fun part. Nancy has Google alerts set up to email her when anyone writes about Mazatlan, so when my first blog post appeared about her adopted city, she read it and emailed, asking if I would be staying long enough to get together. They picked me up at my hotel last Sunday and treated me to lunch at one of the beach palapas along the Malecon – the traditional Ceviche they served me was so huge I could hardly finish half of it. Even better, they invited another expat friend, Michael, to join us for lunch, because they knew of my plans to hike Mexico’s remote Copper Canyon and Michael has hiked it twice. As a result I now have a remarkable amount of information about Copper Canyon – the kind of stuff that can’t even be found on the Internet. Serendipitous events like this aren’t uncommon; they happen to me all the time when I travel slow, without plans, and allow the path to unfold before me.
One thing is for sure. It’s definitely a small world out there.
You might also like:
Posted in Mexico travel | 
Americans, bloggers, Blogging, community, countdowntomexico.com, Dardarian, expat, Mazatlan, Mexico, Nancy, Paul, small world, Travel
United Kingdom 
France 
Morocco 
Czech Republic 
Slovenia 
Croatia 
Hungary 
Romania 
Barbara, your post just proved the power of the internet. How lucky for you to be able to discuss hiking the Copper Canyon with someone who has had the experience. I’m sure your adventure will be all the richer because of your expat lunch.
Barbara, your post just proved the power of the internet. How lucky for you to be able to discuss hiking the Copper Canyon with someone who has had the experience. I’m sure your adventure will be all the richer because of your expat lunch.
Barbara, your post just proved the power of the internet. How lucky for you to be able to discuss hiking the Copper Canyon with someone who has had the experience. I’m sure your adventure will be all the richer because of your expat lunch.
The world is SO small. And I love how it is full of serendipity
Great story, thanks for sharing.
The world is SO small. And I love how it is full of serendipity
Great story, thanks for sharing.
The world is SO small. And I love how it is full of serendipity
Great story, thanks for sharing.
Serendipity is the force I thank for meeting you in Cincinnati. Perhaps not as exciting as climbing Copper Canyon, but it was a moment that has enriched my life immensely. Safe journey, my friend.
Serendipity is the force I thank for meeting you in Cincinnati. Perhaps not as exciting as climbing Copper Canyon, but it was a moment that has enriched my life immensely. Safe journey, my friend.
Serendipity is the force I thank for meeting you in Cincinnati. Perhaps not as exciting as climbing Copper Canyon, but it was a moment that has enriched my life immensely. Safe journey, my friend.
It was a fun time, and we are so happy to have met you! Safe travels!
It was a fun time, and we are so happy to have met you! Safe travels!
It was a fun time, and we are so happy to have met you! Safe travels!
What a great way for them to meet up with people travelling through. I look forward to your posts on Copper Mt.
What a great way for them to meet up with people travelling through. I look forward to your posts on Copper Mt.
What a great way for them to meet up with people travelling through. I look forward to your posts on Copper Mt.
This is one of the reasons I love technology so much
This is one of the reasons I love technology so much
This is one of the reasons I love technology so much
I think one of the best things to do is to try and meet up with locals who can give you an insight into the place you’re visiting, especially when travelling alone – overwise I imagine it could get rather lonely
I think one of the best things to do is to try and meet up with locals who can give you an insight into the place you’re visiting, especially when travelling alone – overwise I imagine it could get rather lonely
It is really wonderful that there is a thriving expat community in Mazatlan. My family will be there in early May and I would love to get some advice on places to see and food shopping, especially how to get the the freshest and most afforable shrimp!
If anyone on this list can help us out I would really appreciate it.
Martin: Fresh shrimp in Mazatlan is a given. The fish/shrimp sellers set up along the main street every day (it is either Serdan or Benito Juarez, I can’t remember) and sell fresh catch from big blue plastic tubs. Can’t beat the price – about $4 U.S.per pound.
Martin: Fresh shrimp in Mazatlan is a given. The fish/shrimp sellers set up along the main street every day (it is either Serdan or Benito Juarez, I can’t remember) and sell fresh catch from big blue plastic tubs. Can’t beat the price – about $4 U.S.per pound.
It is really wonderful that there is a thriving expat community in Mazatlan. My family will be there in early May and I would love to get some advice on places to see and food shopping, especially how to get the the freshest and most afforable shrimp!
If anyone on this list can help us out I would really appreciate it.
It is really wonderful that there is a thriving expat community in Mazatlan. My family will be there in early May and I would love to get some advice on places to see and food shopping, especially how to get the the freshest and most afforable shrimp!
If anyone on this list can help us out I would really appreciate it.
Martin: Fresh shrimp in Mazatlan is a given. The fish/shrimp sellers set up along the main street every day (it is either Serdan or Benito Juarez, I can’t remember) and sell fresh catch from big blue plastic tubs. Can’t beat the price – about $4 U.S.per pound.
Thank you for sharing this great story. It has also been my experience that the Expat communities all over Mexico are generous, open and eager to help newcomers and passersby. Yes, serendipity is wonderful — it reminds us it is possible to trust, relax and allow for things to unfold effortlessly. I looked up the “Countdown” blog and subscribed to their RSS feed!
Thank you for sharing this great story. It has also been my experience that the Expat communities all over Mexico are generous, open and eager to help newcomers and passersby. Yes, serendipity is wonderful — it reminds us it is possible to trust, relax and allow for things to unfold effortlessly. I looked up the “Countdown” blog and subscribed to their RSS feed!
Thank you for sharing this great story. It has also been my experience that the Expat communities all over Mexico are generous, open and eager to help newcomers and passersby. Yes, serendipity is wonderful — it reminds us it is possible to trust, relax and allow for things to unfold effortlessly. I looked up the “Countdown” blog and subscribed to their RSS feed!
planning on moving to mazatlan in 2011. need help finding a apt.for long term lease. would like to keep rent at 300.00-400.00 usd monthly
Jeff: Go to this website: http://www.countdowntomexico.com/. She’s the American Expat I wrote about and her site has links to all the bulletin boards and other Mazatlan info.
planning on moving to mazatlan in 2011. need help finding a apt.for long term lease. would like to keep rent at 300.00-400.00 usd monthly
Jeff: Go to this website: http://www.countdowntomexico.com/. She’s the American Expat I wrote about and her site has links to all the bulletin boards and other Mazatlan info.
Jeff: Go to this website: http://www.countdowntomexico.com/. She’s the American Expat I wrote about and her site has links to all the bulletin boards and other Mazatlan info.
planning on moving to mazatlan in 2011. need help finding a apt.for long term lease. would like to keep rent at 300.00-400.00 usd monthly
Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my audience would enjoy your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.