Month 6 | THE LAST MONTH of 5001: Mexico a Caballo
I’m putting the 4 weeks of Month 6 together because they are the final four weeks of our second solo journey. 4 weeks spent resting Roxy and getting set up with an English teaching job.
I rode very little for these two reasons, but I still consider these weeks part of the trip. Why? Because the trip’s not over until I’m in my new home. And I can say that as of Oct 31st I have a new place and a new part time job in San Juan del Rio, Mexico!!!
So here’s a bit about the last month.
It started off in San Juan del Río where I rested up Roxy for a couple days before heading out of town to stay with a friend of a friend.
Jose Luis Espino is a super friendly guy and he happens to be retired! I stayed there for a week before heading back to San Juan to rent a place and teach English. We ate well, had 3 bbqs and I gave a horse travel presentation.
During my interview with an English school in San Juan I was hired for upcoming part time work, and given a contact for horse physiotherapists in San Juan. I invited that team to my talk, they showed up and we booked appointments for Roxy the next week. The team at FisioEquino, Jimena and Ricardo, does great work. Highly recommended.
On the way into San Juan the first time, I got new boots! I’ve been needing new boots since July. It took me buying 3 pairs of OK boots until I got a great pair. I bought 3 cheaper boots at 350, 800, and 450 pesos, before getting these awesome, pretty much brand new (discontinued) Danner Tinner all leather work boots for 600 pesos.
In San Juan I had some modifications and repairs done to make these guys perfect. After being years in storage, the sole glue had dried, so I had them reglued and sewn for 80 pesos, then I had the steel toe removed for another 80 pesos. It’s kind of a shame I bought the 3 other pairs first, but, the fact of the matter is, it’s hard to get a good boot here in Mexico, and it’s also hard to get them mailed down from Canada.
Because I like my new boots so much, I’d thought I’d write a big boot post. So look for it in the near future.
THE BIG BOOT POST…
Once back in San Juan, Roxy received her treatments. I also got calls back from other English schools. The first school couldn’t commit to a start date, so I wet for an interview in San Miguel de Allende, the famous tourist town, the next week.
After a couple of treatments, I took Roxy out on a short ride and she seemed ALMOST perfect.
Through the Queretaro horse grapevine, I found out about another place I could stay in San Juan, and get a trailer ride to San Miguel if needed.
In the end that position wasn’t for me, and as it was, I got a call to begin giving classes in San Juan the next week.
So here I was, at a horse ranch just outside of San Juan, living in a small trailer and feeding Roxy well.
Later that week, I went with Polo, the owner, to a group horse ride, and Roxy hammered it. ALL GOOD.
Back in San Juan, I put some feelers, the feedback was that there would be some interest in having me teach private classes in San Juan as well, so that between the school and part time, I could make a go of it.
So that’s pretty much how the trip ended…
Roxy healthy and safe. In a cool climate, with great hay. And with several options for me to teach English. Surrounded by horse people.
GOALS ACHIEVED.
It was quite the adventure this second solo long ride by horse. Be sure to check back for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of 5001: Mexico a Caballo. I’ll share all the highlights and downers…
AND, I might get busy writing a book about my experiences riding through México 2 times…
Take care and Happy Trails…
Chris MacLuckies’ professional career began with a decade-long stint as an organic vegetable grower in Ontario Canada. His career is prolific in breadth and scope. He has farmed organics commercially, volunteered in Guatemala, ran a gardening business, raised and raced sled dogs, tended his livestock, and ridden his horse on a multi-country expedition.
Chris is a certified TEFL ESL English Teacher, author of seven books, freelance content creator, and outdoor travel gear designer.
