Wait’ll you hear this one. You know that Tom and I have been lucky in our nomading about. We do a lot of advanced planning, true, but people who travel are always subject to surprises. Some of us love that! Saner people understand that it’s a wacky way to live and prefer to stay home.
Part I: We had a plan. Indeed, we have purchased the airline tickets to spend two months back in our beloved Los Tules by the Pacific in Puerto Vallarta. Our rental agent has done miracles before: turning a one-bedroom condo into a three-bedroom surprise for an unbeatable rate. Last winter we gave her two months’ rent in advance for a return visit in January and February 2015.
Alas, our agent has just written to say that she is dead broke, all bets are off, she’s out of business, there is no condo and there is no money.
Before you get all heated up on our behalf, no, there is no paperwork and no real legal recourse. Oh, and thank you for getting all heated up on our behalf. You may now silently call us idiots, or more kindly, naive. We can take it.
Part II: We have sublet our wonderful apartment here in Portland for January and February — the period we expected to be in Mexico. We refuse to cancel on our renter just because somebody canceled us, so we are looking for places to camp for those two months. Our vacation rental money was lost in Mexico, but we have enough airline miles to go somewhere.
We rejected the idea of couch surfing serially on our relatives, hoping to maintain good relations. Housesitting is a real option: we’ve got a lead in France that involves tending a garden and milking goats. Meantime we don’t look at this crisis as no place to go; it’s more like we have everyplace to go.
So we turn to you, dear readers. Ideas?
The Expat Almanac 
I’m wondering about the plane tickets you already booked for Puerto Vallarte:
can you change your destination without having to pay again and go somewhere else? If you want to stay here in Portland, I’m sure something will come up .
Good luck !!
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We got a refund on the tickets, after a service fee.
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You and Tom could also crash in my sailboat for the winter. But there are a few drawbacks: Erewhon is locked in the ice. There is no heat, no head, no water, no electricity, no galley, and the cabin leaks and generates mildew. But if you can make it up the hill, it’s a short stroll to downtown Easyport where you can find food and warmth, if not sleep.
Good luck, Jack Sherwood.
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That is such a generous offer! We’re going to mull it over for a second or two…
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So sorry to hear of your travel snafus. I wish I had some idea how to resolve this dilemma, but sadly I don’t. Please keep us all posted. We hope you’re not out on the streets, especially in the cold. But instead snuggled up in an exciting new locale doing all the things you love best.
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That’s the idea! Thank you for your empathy!
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This is a bummer and hopefully an opportunity. I’ll ask around. Most of the people I knew that went off snow birding for months were in an older generation and have passed away, but I will inquire and let you know what I find out. No, you were not naive. It had worked out just fine for a year, so why wouldn’t you think it would still work?
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Exactly! The human brain repeats what worked before. Appreciate that…we will stop whipping ourselves briefly.
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PS: Linda has just moved to Stuart Beach FL where she bought a 2-BR condo. Cheap rentals there, I understand.
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Well rats,,,, if you’re interested in a tiny desert island Kingdom of Bahrain, I can ask around – often there are places here looking for temporary caretakers……..
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Fabulous idea, Debbie! Maybe we can tend someone’s beach? It’s a part of the world we haven’t seen and the winter weather looks great!
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L&T, What a kick in the shins. Have you tried talking to your renters to see if you can negotiate your way out of the lease? They would have more than a month to seek other options. If that isn’t doable, we will be away from January 13 thru January 20 so our house would be open for you then. Bernie
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Thank you, Bernie. We dog sit, too!
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How far can you fly? Southeast Asia can be really cheap. Your eating money might cover basic accommodation as well.
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Tom the first few words that come to mind when I read this probably wouldn’t be good to put in print. By way of consolation, Terri and I, with a couple of friends, planned a safari in Kenya. We did all our research and due diligence, and came up with a good agent for all arrangements. We wired the funds (>$6000), and literally, the day after the swine received the funds, he declared bankruptcy. Our money went poof! This stuff can eat at you, but you have the right attitude. BTW, the highlands of Mexico are very nice. We spent a few weeks bouncing around there (San Miguel de Allende, Morelia, and Guanajuato – see our posts). And if you visited the highlands, you could still use your plane ticket. ~James
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January is a new year; right now it’s Thanksgiving and time to celebrate! And you two have plenty to celebrate, not the least being that you so many friends who love you. Count us in the admiring pack ….
love, Briggs and Phil
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Oh, that is so nice, Briggs! And you are friends with GUEST ROOMS! But that won’t be necessary this time; see next blog entry. Phil, sorry no paperwork.
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If you have a cancelled check or other evidence of payment, I suggest you wait a year and then ( assuming she gives you no refund ) sue her. You may well be able to do that in small claims court. The judgement should be good for several ( 6? )years and renewable by suing on the judgment. When she resurfaces you can perhaps collect.
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Phil is right. You should sue this woman, if only to protect the next victims. Sometimes it is easier to do nothing, but the only way we make progress in this world is to object, formally, when something goes wrong. So wait a year and then take some action. You could at least contact the Better Business Bureau in Puerto Vallarta to alert them to the situation.
But something better will come along! Count me among your fervent admirers.
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Patty, good thoughts! It’s true that a little unpleasant complaining is a good way to move the world forward. At least the BBB ought to know. And we DID find something “better”!
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We to have lost our money.We have found a contract. We paid through PayPal and Master Card and they don’t cover anything. So sad that people you thought you could trust…There are alot of people that she did this to.We are in Puerto Vallarta at another condo.We have been told by many it is about $90thousand dollars.
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Kathy, you may know that there was a spirited thread on TripAdvisor regarding Brissa. And you’re right: LOTS of people lost their money to her. Last I heard it was around $80,000 US. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover it’s more now.
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