Last updated on June 27, 2022
There’s something I can’t get off my mind.
I return to my ‘blog post ideas’ list but nothing takes my fancy. How to couchsurf safely, why animo is such an awesome word, and an ever-growing list of why we love San Pancho. They’ll come one day, but it’s hard to focus on anything else when the mind is consumed.
Those of you who read our newsletter may be able to guess what it is – the mega idea that’s got me doing sums, scouring Pinterest and abseiling down jungle slopes.
I didn’t want to mention it until a decision had been made, but it turns out that could take a while, so in place of a looming silence or forced words, I’ll share our story with you.
For years, I have dreamed of opening a retreat centre somewhere around the world – a place where people can connect back to nature and themselves. I envision a beautiful house in stunning surrounds with little yurts or tipis in the garden – a place for meditation, yoga, delicious food and time away from everyday life.
The biggest obstacle to this dream was finding the right place for it – somewhere that both Steve and I loved, and wanted to spend more than a few months living in.
It didn’t seem as though that would happen anytime soon. Despite visiting hundreds of amazing places over the past year and on tons of trips before, nothing ever made us think: “Yes, we want to live here”. And that was okay. We weren’t in a rush, and we felt happy to travel on until the right place presented itself – if it ever did at all.
And then we found San Pancho. What began as the location for my yoga teacher training course, has become a place we call home. Each day the town unfolds a little further, and we fall a little deeper in love. After a while, we reached a point where the unexpected revealed itself: perhaps this is where we should buy land.
Two months and endless viewings and research later, we are edging closer towards the dream. We know the area we like, surrounded by jungle and with a view out to sea. Options are emerging, and we’ve found an architect and engineer who are so completely on the same page that it feels like a conspiracy of the universe that we ever found each other. All signs point to this being the right thing to do, but that’s not to say we haven’t had doubts. Is this a whim? Will we change our minds? Can we afford it? Is this what we want? Can we really do it?
And right now, we think we can. The plan isn’t to stay here year-round. We’d leave during the humid summer and travel elsewhere around the world. There are still so many other places we want to explore. Perhaps one day we’ll create a second base, somewhere closer to home, or always use it as a time to travel. Nothing is certain on that front, but we have thought long and hard, and for now, we know this feels right. We love this town, its vibrant community and the laid-back pace of life. It’s a place of healing and the perfect place to retreat. We are happier here and feel more at home than we ever have anywhere else.
So that is why I’m distracted right now and struggling to write about other things. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about this adventure amid stories of travel elsewhere – it’s set to be our biggest yet. And have a look at my Pinterest boards (Casa Capomo, Selva Azul and A place to call home) if you’re intrigued to see our vision.
Aw, sounds amazing Victoria. If the idea is consuming you and the plan is coming together, the world is obviously trying to tell you something. You can put my name down as a definite please, or I could come and help before hand. Will paint for yoga.
Painting for yoga. I like the sound of that. Perhaps the first few months will be a massive work exchange to get the whole thing finished. Great idea!
Wow that sounds amazing! Big and brave choice.
Thank you Steph. It definitely is a mixture of excitement and fright!
So excited to see you guys announce the idea — that is powerful in and of it self, to set the intention free and release it into the world. Looking forward to following this journey as you guys make this dream happen 🙂
And thank you for urging me to share it!
Can’t wait to bring a Yoga Teacher Training to your new place!
Well that would definitely be awesome!
How exciting! Your retreat idea sounds wonderful and might actually convince us to give yoga another go after a rather bad experience at a yoga retreat in Nepal. Good luck with the search!
Oh no! What happened in Nepal?!
WOW, this is so exciting!
Amazingly this is exactly what me and my boyfriend want to do, although swap retreat for hostel!
The fact that you guys are proving that even finding somewhere suitable is possible makes me more hopeful that maybe my own dreams will come true…
Good luck!!
Wonderful! Good luck with your hostel. I look forward to seeing how the dream develops 🙂
This is so exciting!! I’m definitely up for coming and helping out in any capacity when you need it 🙂 I get the feeling that just by writing this post you’ve already basically made up your minds…
Perhaps…although now we’re facing all the nitty-gritty “can we definitely afford this” malarkey. It’s looking good though…
There is a quote in the movie Sister Act 2: ‘If you wake up in the morning, and can’t think of anything but singing first, than you’re suppose to be a singer’. If this retreat is all you can think about right now, the Universe is telling you to take that leap hun!
As the famous saying goes; regret the things you’ve done in life, not the things you haven’t 🙂
Ha! I love Sister Act! And it’s funny you mention the other quote – Steve and I were talking about that just the other day.
That is super exciting guys! We would love to come visit you! 😀
You are welcome anytime 🙂
Ooh, ooh, love the design ideas & photos you’ve found … beautiful!
Thank you! I am definitely a Pinterestaholic right now!
Tranquil. That’s the word, and beautiful photos!
An excellent word at that. Thank you!
Now THAT’S a great reason to be distracted 🙂
It’s going to be more than a little interesting to see how your dreams turn over time into reality. It’s especially exciting to see someone be able to pour their passion into something that they can call very much their own too.
Thanks Dale! That’s definitely one of the attractions – making something entirely our own. It’s also pretty mind-boggling! And I’m delighted you’ll be following along. Let’s see how this dream goes!
Wow, it sounds and looks amazing! We will be there for sure. Good lucks guys. Keep living the dream!
Wow, it sounds and looks amazing! We will be there for sure.
Good lucks guys. Keep living the dream!
Thanks Paul!
This sounds super exciting! Can’t wait to see where this leads…and by the way, thanks for being honest and sharing this now, rather than giving us a “looming silence or forced words”!
Thanks Sam. I’m definitely pleased we shared. It’s lovely to hear everyone’s responses 🙂
Sounds amazing!! What a lovely, lovely place and a lovely dream as well, to create a peaceful, healing space for people to visit. I hope it works out just as it should!
Love this! Can’t wait to see the plans unfold!
Good for you!
Great News! Once you open your retreat I’ll make sure to come and visit you guys! I have been to a yoga retreat in Nicaragua for a month a few years ago and loved it. Yours will be the next on I visit 🙂 Congrats!
Wow, this is SO exciting! I love that you are thinking of following your dream and doing this. It sounds like a HUGE undertaking, but so worth it. I have a pipe dream of opening a micro brewery in a foreign place some day because I love to brew and spread the love of quality beverages and the camaraderie surrounding them… but that’s a long way off. It’s so inspiring to see you putting the wheels into motion now for something like this. Best of luck to you! 🙂
Wow, it sounds and looks amazing! We will be there for sure.
Good lucks guys
I just started reading and enjoying your blog. Thank you for sharing your story. My wife and I are one month away from leaving on our RTW trip and we’ve definitely wondered what it will ‘do to us’-what life will be like when the year is up. Reading today’s post confirms what we’ve concluded: you never know. You’re doing what feels right and that’s amazing. I look forward to reading how your journey unfolds. Good luck!
Wow! I love watching peoples dreams in the works! I hope everything works out perfectly and the retreat turns out beautifully! You can use helpx.net if need volunteers to come help at the retreat in the future! Hard workers all in exchange for food and a place to sleep! Very inspirational! I am happy for you 🙂