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Dave and Sumana Harrison McCollam left "fast track" careers to caretake a resort property  near Oaxaca, Mexico. The couple, in their fifties, explain, "We had both just about had enough of ‘life in the fast lane' (and also the not-so-fast lane) when we decided to make an extended trip through Mexico." Of course, this necessitated many changes: Dave dissolving his partnership of twenty-two years in a catering business in California, and Sumana letting go of setting up accounting systems for small businesses. After purchasing a small RV and modifying it to tow a 650 KLR Duo-Sport Motorcycle (just perfect for Mexico), the couple headed south, at that point not actually knowing that  they would end up in Costa Rica.  They lingered in places like San Miguel de Allende, Lake Catemaco, Palenque and Campeche, and headed for Tulum on the Yucatan peninsula from where they were invited to Costa Rica.  Dave and Sumana agreed that, with its beauty, charm, and friendliness, Mexico was the country that attracted them the most. The couple recalls, "During this process we serendipitously discovered The Caretaker Gazette through Arthur Frommer's Travel Guide on the Internet, naturally doing a search to see if there was anything available in Mexico. We immediately subscribed to the Gazette."  Lo and behold, in their first issue of the Gazette, the couple found a position was available at Casa Raab in Oaxaca, as managers of a 40-acre property in the mountains about 20 minutes from this beautiful colonial city. The absentee owner, who lives in Washington State, needed a couple to care for the villa that has been in his family for over 30 years. The property has two rental units.
 
One, Casa Grande, has a huge dining/living room and four large bedrooms that open out onto a large veranda and the swimming pool. The other, La Casita,  is a self-contained two bedroom guest house. In all, the homes can accommodate up to 15 guests at a time. Locations and responsibilities for caretaker jobs are as varied as the landowners and caretakers themselves. Caretakers may be single persons, couples or families. Landowners are not always individuals: nature retreats, ecological preserves, camps, and national or state forests and parks also employ caretakers. According to Dunn, "Depending upon the position and its location, caretaking can give one an opportunity to work in dozens of areas, among them: gardening, resort management, and animal care."

For Dave and Sumana one of the benefits of caretaking the Mexican resort property are the wonderful guests they have met. They note, "People are in Oaxaca because they are enchanted with its colonial charms, because they know that this is the place for folk art, because of its interesting and varied cuisine, its ruins, markets and indigenous people. And guests come to Casa Raab for the tranquility, the air of stepping back in time, the hospitality, comfort and cuisine. We have had writing groups, photography groups and just plain  ‘shopping groups'. The staff has been looking after guests for years and their needs are always taken care of, whether it's a special dish or calling a taxi for a town trip." Dave and Sumana explain, "The atmosphere here is one of rest and relaxation, and we need to gauge where the guests are coming from in relation to activities. Some guests want to see all the sites of Oaxaca in which case, Dave and the Casa Raab vehicle are hired to go to ruins like Monte Alban, or to one of the several surrounding craft villages. Other guests want to stay here, relax by the pool and be pampered. Mostly, the guests want some social interaction with us, but we also know that they are here for other reasons, and we stay in the background if that is what is equired."

A caretaker may live alone on the property of an absentee landowner. In this situation, the ability to function independently and fulfill one's responsibilities without daily guidance and instruction from the landowner are important qualifications. Although a love of nature, solitude, and the simple life is important, having hobbies and interests that can be pursued in what are often remote areas is extremely helpful.  Autonomous caretaker positions may  include winterkeepers at lodges and camps, managers for "gentleman"  farmers and ranchers, or caretakers of resort properties during off seasons.

Alternatively, a caretaker may live and work with a landowner on a day-to-day basis. Depending upon the length and closeness of the relationship that develops between landowner and caretaker, these positions sometimes lead to partnership arrangements. Landowners may be homesteaders who are seeking a person to join them and participate in their efforts, retirees who need an extra pair of hands to help them out on their property, or farmers and ranchers requiring general and specialized workers. Other caretaking positions, such as those located on resorts, nature preserves, or hunting and fishing lodges, require frequent interaction with guests. According to Dave and Sumana, "Oddly enough, when guests are here is when we have time to relax, otherwise we're  overseeing projects related to water and wells, electricity, decorating, construction and gardening. Generally, Dave oversees construction and maintenance, and Sumana the garden and household staff. Both are available for guests, sometimes acting as drivers and tour guides, or simply sharing their knowledge of the local brew, mezcal, which is made from an agave similar to that of tequila.

On the landowner side, Dunn reports that a growing number of farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, camps and nature preserves are utilizing the services of qualified caretakers. "The average age of American farmers is 53. There are a large number over 65 who will retire and have no sons or daughters who want to take over.

They are increasingly turning to caretakers to maintain their land." The benefits are significant: a good caretaker can ensure that property is cared for even when the owner is no longer able to do it himself — the land is preserved for future generations rather than being sold off to developers. Dunn says, "In most cases, the landowner's unique body of knowledge about the land and wealth of experience are passed onto others."

While many landowners seek experienced caretakers with specific skills, others are willing to take on and train people with general backgrounds. As with most other occupations, such traits as honesty, common sense, and flexibility are key prerequisites. Many retirees find that caretaking evolves into a fulltime second career. With solid backgrounds in caretaking and excellent references from previous employers, they are in great demand by landowners and are able to find positions throughout the U.S. and abroad.

On a day-to-day basis, Sumana explains, "Living here is like taking care of your own home. You see what needs to be done and you do it." She adds, "It is hard to say what our daily activities are because each day is different. We generally go into Oaxaca city to shop and do email two or three times a week.

This usually includes a stop in the Zocalo (main plaza) for lunch and a bit of people watching."  According to the couple, "Mexico is very special. We continually experience the friendliness and basic kindness of its people, who generally have less and give more. As we slow down there is a very nice sense of being connected. Here, in this village, it is like turning back the clock 100 years. The barnyard animals that are present, the lack of telephones ringing, no great plans or social schedules. Our door is open. We always have time for a visit."