Playa del Carmen, Mexico has been a place of healing for me. Spiritually, emotionally and of course physically. I was sick for over 20 years and completely disabled by 2004. I have thought a lot about what makes this such a special place to heal from any chronic illness. I began travelling for a month each winter to different tropical destinations in 2009. I always knew that I felt so much better in a hot climate. Previous trips included Costa Rica, Thailand, Cozumel, Mexico and finally Playa Del Carmen. I was diagnosed with chronic or late-stage Lyme Disease in 2012 and decided to try a month of ozone and oxygen therapies here at a local clinic. Unfortunately, I relapsed a month later.  I finally was able to cure myself with Wahls Paleo Diet, Buhner’s Protocol for Lyme, intensive parasite cleansing and a few other things. Please read my article on beach therapy. I really believe this is a powerful and inexpensive medicine. I have now been in complete remission since November, 2014.

1) Rent – $400 per month. I live in a simple one bedroom apartment only 5 blocks from the beach. It is well
equipped and comfortable.

2) Food – $250 per month. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. I have also sourced free range eggs and organic beef and chicken.

3) Electricity – $15 per month. If I was using a/c my bill would probably be about $60 – $80 during the hot summer months.

4) Internet – Mine is included in my rent. My friends pay about $25 per month if it is not included in the rent.

5) Cell phone- I do not use a cell phone for health reasons. I use Skype for all of my calls and Facebook for messaging. My friends pay about $25 per month.

6) Drinking water –  $20 per month. I have large 5 gallon bottles (garafons) of water delivered. I drink a lot of water. These are roughly $2.50 per bottle and I use about 8 per month.

7) Meals out – $200 per month. I often go out with friends after a 12 step meeting. This is really my only form of entertainment.  We don’t eat on 5th Avenue where the prices are very high. We do know where many of the good, inexpensive local restaurants are. I typically spend about $10 per meal. Often I spend much less and occasionally a little more. This amount would include a nice cup of coffee here and there. Yes that is my one guilty pleasure that I refuse to give up.

8) Supplements – $100 per month. I still buy several supplements and super foods.

9) Personal items and clothing – $100 per month.  I prefer to buy my clothing in Canada when I return for visits. I tend to buy when everything goes on sale. I do buy a few things here but find the prices are quite high here as this is a tourist town.

10) Laundry – $30. I don’t have a washer or dryer. I take my laundry to the local lavenderia down my street. A large load is usually around $6. I may have 5 loads per month. Since it is so hot here the clothing and bedding is lightweight so there really isn’t much weight to the loads. I also hand wash many of my tops because I find the laundry here to be quite harsh on the clothes. We have a clothesline on the roof for drying.

11) Transportation – $30. I sometimes will take a collectivo (shuttle bus) if I want to visit Tulum or Puerto Morelos. These only cost about $6 per round trip. I walk everywhere here in town. I think this is part of the reason why I stay in such good health. I walk about 5 blocks to buy groceries and I carry them all home. I rarely take a taxi but these are only about $4-$8 here in Playa.

12) Day at the beach – Free. Chairs can be rented for about $7. I usually just lay out in the sand.

Total = $ 1195 U.S.D

I know this simple and modest way of life will not appeal to everyone but I really enjoy it. I now understand that a low stress, uncluttered life is more conducive to healing. At this stage of my life it is about love, relationships, service, and a healthy lifestyle. Helping others and trying to make a difference in small ways. I can honestly say that I don’t feel deprived or uncomfortable. I no longer feel the need to live in a beautiful home and have the best car. Acquiring wealth and possessions are no longer goals of mine.  I try and live each day with an attitude of gratitude, enjoying my health and nurturing my spiritual side. I just take it one day at a time!

Blessings and Best of Health!

Brenda

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