ExpatWomen's Interview with Macarena ExpatWomen: Macarena,
let’s start from the beginning. What inspired you to move with your
16-year-old daughter Chiara and your 10 animals from Florida, United
States, to Belize, 5 years ago? Macarena: I
believe in following your inspiration and dreams. Mine was strong to
move to Belize, as was my daughter’s. I do not believe in wondering
what if, or later saying, “ Wow, I wish I had...” So off we went! ExpatWomen: What did Chiara think of your decision and how has she adapted in Belize? Macarena: I
was going to wait and not move to Belize until she graduated from high
school, but she shared my dream - she too wanted to go, so it was her
desire to be part of the journey of moving to Belize. I have no regrets
and can see the difference in her from having had an international
living experience in her life. She is now very open to all people, and
has more of a worldly understanding and sense of compassion for
people’s lives and their struggles. | Initially,
I was not sure how she would adjust, so she and I signed an 18 month
contract with each other: we would move to Belize and stay there, no
matter what for the term. Well, we moved to Belize and she had not been
there even 10 days, when she looked over the veranda’s views of the
stunning Mayan Mountains and said, “I never want to leave, Mom.” This
-- from a teenager who used to have the cable tv on, a cell phone tied
to her ear, the house phone attached to the other ear and instant
messaging on the computer all at the same time!! Now she was living in
Belize with not even a McDonald’s in the country! One of my earliest
memories of her speedy adaptation took place on Chiara’s first day of
school. I went to take her lunch and there she was - leaning out of the
barn door-like windows, looking like a scene out of Mr. Ed, and a
gorgeous happy smile from ear to ear. She had just mastered her first
words of Creole with her newly-made friends. |
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ExpatWomen: How
did you end up working as a real estate agent and being elected as the
President of the Belize National Association of Realtors®? | | | Macarena: When
I first moved to Belize, I looked for land for Chiara and myself on
which to build our home. In doing so, I was shown around San Ignacio by
three different men, (who still work here), and they each offered me
the same piece of real estate - for three different prices! I was, let
us say, highly insulted. When I complained to my friend, who happened
to be a political leader of Belize, he said, well this is what they do
here, and if you do not like it, I will give you my properties to sell
and you can show them how to do it differently. So, with that, I went
to work learning everything I could about titles, land laws and
ownership rights in Belize. In 2005, I became a Founding Member of the
Belize National Association of Realtors. In November of 2007, I signed
the Bi-Lateral Agreement with the US-based National Association of
Realtors (N.A.R.), for our Association. | | | ExpatWomen: You
also offer your services as a Relocation Specialist. Do you think the
real estate and the destination services industries are good options
for expats looking to start new businesses abroad? | | | Macarena: It
is my humble opinion that who better to help you than someone who has
done it, who can advise on what to look out for, and who knows it from
your perspective. | | | ExpatWomen: You
also host a weekly TV show in Belize, you have coached the Semi Pro
Men’s soccer team and you are the voice on the cell phone system in
Belize. Tell us more. | | | Macarena: Well,
I moved to Belize to be part of Belize, and feel very fortunate to be
able to contribute time and energy in many different activities. The
I host, is all about bringing to light the extraordinary men and women
who make Belize a better country, and this a better world. When the
producer of the station asked me to do this show, I immediately agreed
to do so, and for free. What better way to spread the positive aspects
of people’s lives than by making sure their light shines to all! I love
that the youth see these adults they may know little about getting the
recognition they deserve.
As to being the soccer coach; well,
that just happened. It was not because I knew a thing about soccer.
Mostly, they needed a team medic but then it just kind of snowballed.
It was, of course, an oddity for Belize to have a woman travelling with
the guys, being in the dressing rooms, and stretching them out on the
fields before games. I can tell you these players have, in fact, become
like sons to me and I love them as such.
As to being the
voice on the cell phone service, I was asked to read 10 lines for a
demo, and then I was chosen. I read thousands of lines in both English
(the main language of Belize) and Spanish. It is still so funny for my
friends and I to hear my voice on the cell phone telling them, “The
number you have reached is not available”, or “You do not have
sufficient credit for this call” etc.
When I am working on
relocations with my clients, I always recommend and provide suggestions
on how to become actively involved as a member of their new community.
I feel it is by getting involved that you truly become a part of your
new community. | | | | ExpatWomen: From all of your experience in Belize, what would be the top 5 things that you have learned that you could share with us? | | | Macarena: It is my pleasure to do so. The top 5 things I have learned are:
1) Do your research, find a true professionals who have experiences like yours (Google their names to check);
2) Ask questions, there is no such thing as too many;
3) Get everything in writing;
4) Accept that things may proceed slower in other countries and
remember that this is why you looked to move in the first place;
5) Enjoy your journey, ALL of it. | | | ExpatWomen: Macarena,
we thank you very much for your time and we wish you and Chiara all the
very best. | |