I knew friends and family would begin to worry the minute we mentioned moving out of Cuenca and up into the mountains. What would we do without friends, much less neighbors, nearby? Without a social life? Without a Supermaxi supermarket to run to? Like Zsa Zsa Gabor in Green Acres, they probably had visions of me telling Jeff, “Dahlin’ I love you, but give me Park Avenue.”
Truth be told, I definitely entertained those questions, too. But as with any other major decisions in life, I dug deep down to explore what I really felt about it all before agreeing to take the leap. For Jeff it was a no-brainer, but it was important to both of us to make sure the move was right for the both of us.
Four months later, there’s not a doubt in my mind. I’m completely in my comfort zone too. But how has everything unfolded? How do we spend our time?
Well, for Jeff that’s an easy answer. I’ve never seen anyone more excited to get up in the
morning and get into one project or another. For him living in the country is a natural. The more to do, the better.
morning and get into one project or another. For him living in the country is a natural. The more to do, the better.
For me, being happy in life is all about having PURPOSE. Retirement may give the gift of relaxation, but I’m definitely tuned in to making sure that doesn’t turn into boredom. So for the first month here, I did what I love to do best: nest. I got to create a home out of the new house and settle ourselves in. And then the writing itch came back. I’ve been wanting to write a book about living abroad, and here’s the perfect opportunity. Beautiful views, lots of time and quiet to focus, and a great loft to spread out in. I started by taking an online writing course. I’m now working on the planning stages of the book and getting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Now that the passion is back, I’m ready!
And then of course, I had to throw a monkey wrench into everything. The house was almost too
quiet. What was missing? Right. A dog! I couldn’t resist the ad on a local expat site called the Gringo Tree. That one threw Jeff for a loop because I’ve never even had a dog. He warned me that it would change our lives in a wonderful way but would also limit our freedom. Still, that afternoon we came home with an adorable German Shepherd puppy. So now in between writing and nesting, I take Dina for walks on the farm and train and play with her. I love it.
quiet. What was missing? Right. A dog! I couldn’t resist the ad on a local expat site called the Gringo Tree. That one threw Jeff for a loop because I’ve never even had a dog. He warned me that it would change our lives in a wonderful way but would also limit our freedom. Still, that afternoon we came home with an adorable German Shepherd puppy. So now in between writing and nesting, I take Dina for walks on the farm and train and play with her. I love it.
What do I miss most? Being able to go out to dinner and socialize “out” every once in awhile. Who likes to have to cook all the time? In Cuenca I used to rue not having take-out places. Here I rue not having any restaurants at all (although there is a great lunch place owned by some new Ecuadorian friends, a daytime treat).
I also miss not having the convenience of the Supermaxi a few blocks away. I now buy in bulk when we go into the city for our food shopping and freeze a lot to make sure I’m not caught without the necessities. No doubt, that weekly trip is also ridiculously hectic because we do all our other running around, too, and it affords little time to visit with friends there. Oh, well. You have to take the good with the bad, right?
Still, are we Lonely? Bored? Not in a million years!