After over a year of telling friends, family, and anyone who’d listen, that we were moving to El Salvador, the day finally came. On August 20th, we shook the Canadian soil from our shoes and stepped onto a plane bound for our new life however it feels surreal to say it out loud: we’ve officially left Canada for good.
The Move: From Sandals to Steel-Toed Boots
The journey began in true symbolic fashion. At the Montreal airport, my husband decided to leave behind his old, worn-out sandals to make space for his steel-toed work boots. Instead of packing them, he wore them on the plane—practical and symbolic of the hard work and new beginnings ahead in El Salvador.
A Caravan to the Airport
However we couldn’t have done this move without the incredible generosity of our friends. They drove us and all our belongings to the airport in two vehicles:
- One car carried 3 kids, 2 cats, and 3 backpacks.
- One van transported my husband and me, another cat, 10 suitcases, 2 carry-ons, and 2 backpacks.
Altogether, we brought nearly 500 pounds of luggage, not to mention the emotional weight of leaving everything familiar behind.
The Stress of Moving Countries
Traveling is stressful under normal circumstances. Add three kids, three cats, and the knowledge that you’re not returning—it’s not a vacation; it’s a permanent life change. I’ve never experienced stress on this level before.
Even though we prepared as much as possible, it still felt like fleeing the country like a fugitive. We left behind things we wanted to bring but couldn’t in the rush. With our Canadian property still unsold, my husband plans to return soon to decide what else we might need or want to take with us.
I’ve created a video explaining the chaos of getting ready to leave. Fair warning: you might feel a bit stressed just watching it!
Why We Left Canada for El Salvador
Many people ask, “Why would you leave Canada?” or “What are you going to do now that you’re in a completely new country?”
Our reasons for this massive change were spiritual, physical, and emotional. This wasn’t an impulsive decision; it was a carefully considered move for the betterment of our family’s future. Our next video will dive deeper into these reasons and share more about what life looks like now that we’ve taken this leap. Spoiler alert: it’s all been worth it.
What’s Next? Adventures in El Salvador
We’re just beginning to write the next chapter of our lives. Stay tuned for more updates about our experiences, adventures, and new beginnings in El Salvador. This move has already brought incredible challenges, but it’s also filled with hope and excitement for what’s to come.
Have you ever considered starting over in a new country? Let us know your thoughts, and don’t miss our upcoming posts and videos about life in El Salvador!
See what is next for our family!
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Tags: #MovingToElSalvador #LeavingCanada #FamilyJourney #ExpatsInElSalvador #NewBeginnings #LifeAbroad #StressfulMoves #FamilyAdventures