Mexico Eclipse Witness: American Expat's Regret of Missed Chance during Solar Event
Mazatlán, a coastal city in Mexico, was a hot spot for rental offerings during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2023. However, one American expatriate, Janet Blaser, decided to leave the city before the celestial event.
Blaser, who had been residing in Mazatlán, chose to relocate to San Antonio Tlayacapan, a tranquil town near Guadalajara. The landlord agreed to the arrangement, and Blaser's friend expressed interest in taking over her lease and purchasing her belongings.
Mazatlán was a prime viewing location for the eclipse, attracting a large number of "eclipse chasers." Sinaloa's tourism authorities anticipated a deluge of 120,000 visitors, and the city's accommodations were nearing full capacity. Airbnb searches for North American locales in the eclipse's path increased by 1,000%.
Despite Mazatlán's popularity, Blaser moved away to find a quieter life. The city is known for hosting grand festivities that attract large crowds, such as Carnaval's vibrant parades and International Motorcycle Week's enthusiast gatherings. However, these events did not influence Blaser's decision to move.
Stories of properties being rented at premium rates during the eclipse began three years prior. Eric and Jenna Streit, who had settled in Mazatlán from Los Angeles with their child, could have rented their Airbnb units for $400 nightly during the eclipse.
Interestingly, no search results provide the name of any person who moved to Mazatlán, Mexico in 2006 and still lives there before the total solar eclipse on April 8. Blaser's move was a personal decision, unrelated to the eclipse or the potential astronomical profits from renting out her apartment during the event.
The eclipse did not navigate Blaser's decision to move. Instead, she found a house with a flexible move-in schedule in her new tranquil town. Blaser's departure from Mazatlán left the eclipse-viewing city without one of its long-term residents, but she found the peace and quiet she was seeking in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
