To compound this, we have been preparing to 'move' to the Algarve in the first quarter of 2010. The timeline being very much influenced by the 'launch' of this project which is targeted for May 2010.
So there are two things, no there are four things that require our attention right now. The Project, The Move, Current Jobs, Family Obligations. All needing a high level of attention from one or both of us. This truly is when I have to be very careful and maintain a 'self-care' routine that involves, blogging, spending time with friends, spending time with my husband, and spending time ALONE. Because if I neglect this self-care routine, the other 4 things that need my attention will start to feel like 'chores' and I will start finding every excuse not to give them the attention they need. This of course would have disastrous results.
So our first task in getting this project mobilized was to establish a partnership with an existing resort in the Algarve. This acutally proved to be less difficult than I thought, because through networking with other expats in the Algarve my husband was able to make a connection with the owner of just such a resort and a partnership was born.
The project (Health and Wellness Tourism) was spawned from the current Medical Tourism model that much of Europe is embracing, whereby, individuals under the European Union are travelling to one another's countries for medical procedures with the added benefit of Healing in a Spa Hotel/Resort. We also are incorporating the recently popular Experiential Tourism model, whereby individuals travel and stay in countries and learn about the culture of that country by integrating themselves into that culture during their stay.
The people travelling to our Resort won't be coming for Medical Procedures, but will be coming to experience Healing in the setting of a Resort that offers a Holistic experience.
Travellers will be able to partake of Natural Medicine services, learn to cook Portuguese Dishes, learn to create Ceramics in the Traditional Portuguese way, go on Historical, Gastronomical, and Natural tours and generally have a holiday that is more about learning to "take back" some things that they can 'Integrate' into their lives at home.
The point is to travel, learn, and experience another approach to life, giving you the opportunity to enhance your current lifestyle and inspiring you to a holistic approach to living.
Of course this concept has taken most of a year of 'brainstorming' to get it to where we can begin to mobilize it. That's what we are doing now.
The place we started about 3 months ago was the Website. We are working with designers in Canada and the Resort owners in the Algarve to get a website that will communicate just the concept I described. That has it's own challenges, including the fact that I am the 'coordinator' for the website.
In addition to having a full time job as a counsellor/trainer and managing the ups and downs of a family, and managing the ups and downs of 'the move', I am also having to make sure that what is going into the website is what all the stakeholders want. Should be easy, but to be honest with the time differential between Portugal and Canada and the many misunderstandings that can go on when you are using email, I have been having a hard time getting this website to meet its targets. But I know that it will happen, I just need to persevere.
At least we have the place we are going to live figured out...it's right on the Resort. Very convenient. Now all we have to do is figure out how to put the contents of our space now (3000 sq. feet) into a two bedrooom apartment. One more challenge! More about that later.
The journey begins with just one step.
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