Where In The World Is Nellie?

New Beginnings – www.BajaBOSS.com This has been a week of many relationship endings, both personal and professional. I want to thank all my friends who took the time to write or talk to me with kind words of support and encouragement. This small gesture by so many had a huge impact on my ability to acknowledge these endings and give me the strength to continue on without the desperate need to look back and wonder “what ifs” or have regrets. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated and has made a tremendous difference. These Random Acts of Kindness have made me feel part of a growing community and the reason I call this place home. I am going to share the story of how I came to be here. In October 2003, I was a successful ReMax Realtor in Victoria and invested in Loreto Bay, never having known David Butterfield or been to Baja California. However, I was so excited about the project that I met David and told him that I would be interested in being part of the team sometime in...

“Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself” This week has been a rollercoaster ride, even for me. I spent a lot of time driving to Cabo and La Paz, and thinking when I was growing up in a large 1900’s Victorian home with a dark creepy unfinished basement where I have memories of chickens being beheaded and running around bloodied on pure nerves. I remember being a latch key kid at the age of 5 and spending nights alone scared out of my wits at the shadows and shapes of the large oak and maple trees blowing against the windows at night and no one would be home. Someone had told me early on “ there was nothing to fear but fear itself ” and it was the only thing that I had to cling onto as a small child. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inaugural address contained the following quote: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” It ...

Lots of Familiar Faces in Loreto I was in Phoenix for the day and it was a whirlwind of activity, as I managed to organize my furniture move to Loreto, meet with my accountant Randy Wagner (who is knowledgeable about both USA and Mexico tax structures), went shopping for wine and the whole Mall experience that only Scottsdale can offer, as well as seeing my good friend Catherine Swinscoe. Many of you remember Catherine as the Spa Director for Loreto Bay. Catherine’s passion for creating unique world class spas combined with her dedication to finding earth-friendly, sustainable solutions that meet the needs of developers, was integral to the early success of the project. Swinscoe Spa Consultants started in Canada and now Catherine has opened offices in Scottsdale AZ, that offers leading-edge planning and management services to full service spa and wellness facilities. Formerly Corporate Director of Spa Operations for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, she contributed to the operational de...

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! The very first Thanksgiving celebration in North America took place in Canada when Martin Frobisher, an explorer from England arrived in Newfoundland in 1578 and wanted to give thanks for his safe arrival in the New World. This means that the first Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated 43 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Thanksgiving for Canadians is about giving thanks for the harvest season rather than the arrival of the pilgrims. It is celebrated with parades, family gatherings, pumpkin pie and a whole lot of turkey! In order to work up an appetite for the massive feast, my friend Reham from Microsoft, Seattle, WA, came to visit and we explored Goldstream Park. The park is home to 600-year-old Douglas fir trees and western red cedar, mixed with western yew and hemlock, red alder, big leaf maple and black cottonwood. It is very humbling being amongst these giant trees that have been here for centuries. These are very real...

On The Road Again I’m back in Victoria this week enjoying the fresh coolness and abundance of tall trees and colorful flowers. Although its approximately 2000 miles or 3200 kms from Loreto, the world is very much a small place and through the internet I feel as though I could be next door. Monday is just another day at the office whether I’m in Victoria, Los Angeles, or at the beach in Loreto. When people ask me what I have been doing, I reply that I have to “ check my blog to know where I am ”. I finally figured out why they call it a blog, because it’s a we B…LOG ! Aahhh! My new office on the malecon comes with 6 hotel rooms, whether I wanted them or not. I never dreamed that I would be running a boutique hotel, but hey, it could be destiny. The rooms are a good size and I will be renovating to make them comfortable to my standards. At this time, I think the rates will be in the range of $75 to $90 USD per night. Of course, there will always be a friends of Nellie rate. M...