Why WOULDN'T You? Part Two

Blame it on the Libra in me, but making decisions isn’t always easy. I go back and forth, back and forth, weighing the pros and cons ~ until finally coming to a choice that I know is just right. I then dive in, expecting only the best to happen and for everything naturally to fall into place. Somehow it usually does.

No matter where we go, or whatever the decision, I really do think that the magic is in our expectations. I’ve had the chance to live in several countries, and at this point I can pretty well spot right away which expats are going to succeed, and those who most likely will not, based on what they appear to expect out of the experience. Some arrive full of life, minds and eyes fully open, totally psyched about their new adventure. And others? Not so much. It makes me wonder why they’ve come in the first place. Was it to escape the political situation back home? For financial reasons? Medical? Whatever the reasons, they don’t seem to have done their “due diligence”. It’s easy enough to research a potential destination thoroughly online, but more importantly, it’s

essential to know one’s own self and one’s needs. It's also helpful to try to envision yourself living in the distinct environment to see if it’s “a match".  Sure, there’s no way to anticipate everything, but at least those steps are good start. It's probably best of course, to visit the place to get acquainted first. In this, Jeff and I were probably not all that wise. We just jumped in and went down to Costa Rica and bought a house within the first week, and then moved on to Cuenca with four suitcases without ever having seen it. I guess we're not so good "looking before we leap”, though I promise that we did do our “due diligence” in those other ways. Oh, well. It seems to work for us! 

No doubt, relatively inconsequential things like Changing Weather and living in a country with a different Language would most likely not scare anyone with high expectations away. Nor will the following I’ll talk about ~ Boredom and Creature Comforts ~  be deal-breakers either, in and of themselves.  But again, our needs, tolerances, expectations, and attitudes have a direct impact on our success, and even more so in a foreign country. It’s at least something to think about.

BOREDOM

Even with all the activities, museums, and cultural events available here in Cuenca, retirement is retirement no matter where you are. Suddenly

you’re learning to fill your days in completely different ways ~ exciting for some and daunting for others. I’ve mentioned before that Jeff had became terribly bored here in the city, despite all its offerings. He’s one of those hands-on, physically active guys (read: ADHD candidate?), who gets up every morning and needs to build or fix something. Forget the museums and the symphonies, that’s just not him. I, on the other hand, love all that stuff but am also very content at my computer, cleaning house, getting together with friends, reading or writing. Boredom isn’t even a blip on my radar screen, but it definitely was for Jeff. For some reason I’ve seen it more in the men we know - they simply need to move. Hmmm... In any case, again, my advice is to “know thyself” and jump into whatever makes you happy and keeps you growing.

OF CREATURE COMFORTS & INSTANT GRATIFICATION

There’s nothing like living overseas to make you realize just how much the U.S. and Canada are truly “lands of plenty”. Every time I go back and enter a store, I’m completely blown away by the quantity and quality of goods everywhere. It's actually overwhelming. Talk about this Libra trying to make a choice. Yikes!

Ecuador is also a land of plenty, but in different ways. Here, most material things are available, though not excessive in terms of choice. Not that you need to compromise on quality, because there are often good-better-best options, just not as many.  For us, though, having “stuff” is no longer a priority.We’re extremely fortunate to have our needs met and live comfortably, so now being “full” in life is much more important. The beauty of this city and this country is astounding. Getting to enjoy the incredible blend of indigenous and hispanic cultures makes us feel rich beyond words. And most valuable of all, we’re really seeing and feeling life for the first time - away from the hurried pressures of the States. Even retired, I’m not sure if that would be true if we still lived there. 

Everything is just plain slower here. And though for us that’s a good

thing, for someone else it might be too nerve-wracking to deal with long-term. Getting any kind of business done is liable to take more than one try, and service may be slower than we’re used to. That instant

gratification thing we’ve got going simply doesn’t work down here (nor anywhere else in Latin America I know of). At first that’s an adjustment most of us struggle with. In all our impatience our blood pressure rises as we become frustrated and angry. Venting it the way we’re accustomed to simply doesn’t work down here and won’t get you any farther. Good old-fashioned patience and respectful behavior are the only options you’ve got. I like it!

To be totally honest, I personally only know of only a few people who have left Cuenca to return to North America so far, and their reasons were attributed to some of the above along with other strident personal concerns. My purpose for writing really is to point out some of the greatest overall complaints I hear, because no place is ever perfect. For some they may be deal-breaking; for most, not at all. I go back to my original premise: know thyself and thy needs, know thy destination, have high expectations for success, and definitely have a great, open attitude. You can’t help but lose!