IT’S ALL IN THE JOURNEY Life & Purpose in the Expat Lane

I know I’m not alone on this one. We retired people - no matter who, or where, we are -  want to to lead purposeful lives. For some that means traveling and climbing new mountains; for others getting into hobbies or developing hidden talents; yet for others developing a small business venture. We may not want the pressures of the go-getting professional life anymore, but it’s incredibly life-affirming to be hungry for new goals and discovery. Isn't it amazing to be free to re-create ourselves any way we wish?

Recently a friend of ours sparked a brand new adventure in me I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Stan and I had been talking about the book I’m planning to write about the personal, emotional impact of living abroad. The gleam in his eyes intensified. “That’s a great idea,” he exclaimed. You’ve got years of overseas living experience, and much to offer others. You’re an expert!”

The Wealthy Adventurer's
University

Expert? Me? In an era when every “expert” online or on TV appears to be under the age of 35,  maybe after all these years I do have something to share. But “expert”? That’s a tough one to wrap my head around. Besides, if there were ever an expert on the expat life, it would be Stan. He’s traveled and lived all over for the better part of his, and has established a wonderfully interesting website called The Wealthy Adventurer's University. Now he’s an expert.

And then he lit the fire. Pressing me further, Stan asked, “What if you do a split-screen podcast interviews with other expats on your blog?”

Whoa. It took only a second for me to realize what a great platform that would be. Then I could really get to the heart of how expats live ~ and feel ~ negotiating every day in a foreign country, often in a different language. There are plenty of “how-to” books and resources about overseas retirement, and yet very few shine light on the ups and downs of what it’s really like. My main goal is to help others ask themselves not only, “Would I?”, but most importantly, “SHOULD I?”

The expat life is many things - exciting, daunting, overwhelming, fulfilling, and more. We retired expats also come in all colors and personalities. For some this life fits like a favorite shoe, and for others, it’s like wearing them two sizes too small. It pinches and hurts. By listening to the stories of those who’ve taken the brave leap, I’m certain there’d be an abundance of insights to help those interested or who are contemplating it themselves.

So, dear reader friend, this is where you come in. Would you tune in to expat interviews? I love hearing peoples’ stories of their brave leap abroad, and what it’s been like for them. Would that be true for you? And if you’re not quite an expat yet, do you think the interviews would help in making the decision? Please tell me what you think in the comment area. 

Such fun ~ I think my dear amigo Stan has led me to a unexpected and oh-so-exciting purpose. Now I’d simply appreciate your help in answering my own big question: “SHOULD I?”

LONELY IN THE MOUNTAINS? NOT A CHANCE!

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. 

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.

Oh, but wait. You’re thinking it’s still gotta be way too quiet around here, dog or not, right? NOT! We’ve never had so many visitors in our lives. It’s a blast ~ and very, very busy. Our friends certainly make sure we don’t have time to be lonely. They’ve all been great about getting out here, even those without cars. A bus comes and goes for $2.00 each way if all else fails. It’s been a joy. We’re also meeting other expat and Ecuadorian friends living nearby and feel more and more part of the local community - despite being spread out all over mountains. There’s a tiny town on the main roadway about 9km away called La Paz (Peace) where we’re getting to know small shop owners. Love it. And yes, the visits will probably taper off a bit, but knowing our friends, they’ll help to make sure we don’t lose touch. Besides, I’ve got my Ecuadorian driver’s license, so I’ll be heading into Cuenca for some play time, too! 

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!

BACK AT LAST Introducing Our New "Home Dulce Home" in the Andes

Can you belive it? I'm finally back to finish the tale of our house-building journey, and to humbly show you the final result ~ our new "Casa Andina" (Andean house). If you're reading this, it's either because you're a faithful reader friend who hasn't yet given up on me, or you've stumbled upon Fancy Free Retirees for the first time. Either way, thanks so much for being here!


My last post (shamefully!) was almost (gasp!) 10 months ago. Since then Jeff and I have been lucky enough to be able to create an entirely new and different life here in Ecuador. We had really enjoyed living in Cuenca, but are now happy to be "campesinos" (country folk) living at 10,800 feet. Here we are, high in the Andes, where breezes are cooler and those same winds are pretty much all you hear besides the occasional bird. We love it!

Much like any other such venture, the building process here suffered from its own set of "hiccups" along the way. Nothing major, but certainly no fun. Our first crew quit because of the cold (around 40F in the rain and fog which was common the first couple of months); an architect/builder who insisted on calling everything an "extra" (even though we ended up buying most materials anyway and Jeff installed the plumbing and built the fireplaces and pizza oven); and we had a head worker, or "maestro", who continually butted heads with Jeff because Jeff had his "Gringo" way of doing things. But as Jeff says, "we got her done".  And although there's still a ways to go to finish details, we're really happy with the results.  Here's a peek:

The view from the terrace and guest bathroom.

The fantastic pizza oven. I get to cook everything in it - breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
It heats the house beautifully, too!

   

We're getting there trying to make the house a home. A local artist did the special art glass scenes - chickens and all!

Here's a look at the inside rooms. As I said, there are plenty of details to finish, but it's a start. 

I know what you're 
thinking. "What the heck do you do all day up there?"

Aha!  I promise to tackle that one in the next blog. Hope to see you there!

BUILDING HIGH IN THE SKY ~ WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

Okay, I’ll admit it. The idea of building a house ~
any house,
any where - intimidated the heck out of me. It’s hard enough in the States when you speak the same language, and I’ve heard many a horror story about never-ending problems and marriages on the brink. So, would we survive this one as we ventured to build high up in the Ecuadorian Andes? So far, I’m happy to say, so good.

Jeff and I definitely attribute much of our success to the amazing help we’ve gotten from FRIENDS near and far. For starters, we'd had the chance to witness daring amigos brave enough to do it in a foreign country - in a foreign language - when we lived in Costa Rica. No doubt about it, there are definitely differences in the way “WE” do things, and the ways “THEY” do. From architectural design to construction techniques; labor laws and tools used (or lack thereof); you end up treading some pretty distinct waters.  Here are a few lessons we’ve learned so far...

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

I speak spanish, but the first thing Jeff and I completely agreed upon was the need to hire a

bilingual architect/contractor (they’re one in the same here). Why? Because first of all, my construction vocabulary is nil in both languages ~ let alone my understanding of building concepts. I would have been useless. I also didn’t want to be the go-between and end up running a crew. The last thing a guy wants to hear is how to do something differently, and coming from a woman, no less. I’m no fool. Fortunately we found an Ecuadorian architect who’d been trained in New Jersey, so he understands both countries’ perspectives on building. It’s worked out great, and who knows?  It may have saved a marriage.

JACKS OF ALL TRADES

In my biased (and adoring) mind, Jeff can pretty much do it all. He designed the house, taught himself to draw up the plans on computer, and now goes off “to work” every day as excited as ever. He’s building the fireplaces and indoor pizza oven while the crew builds the walls up around him and couldn’t be happier. Best of all, though, we’ve got incredibly talented friends who have guided him through what he doesn’t know - from masonry to plumbing to electricity. His buddies may not be here, but they’ve certainly been right there for Jeff on Skype and Facetime, readily sharing their expertise. 

Our master timber-framer friend Bob actually has come all the way down to work. He's been up there building one-of-a-kind rafters and trusses, all the while acclimating to the 10,800 ft. elevation. No doubt, the Ecuadorian crew have been intrigued, and often befuddled, at Bob’s precision and craft. Still, they’ve shown great interest in the unique way in 
                                                 which he brings it all together. Very cool.

THE RIGHT TOOLS

Jeff’s mantra: No matter what you’re doing, you’ve gotta have the right tools. Of course, he didn’t have any when we first arrived, and little by little has had to set himself up. The boys on the job, however, somehow manage to get things accomplished with very few to work with. It might not turn out as quickly or precisely, but the end result is always pretty great. They’ve borrowed Jeff’s tools when wanting to expedite things, but otherwise, they’re incredibly clever at just making it work.

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS?   
                                                                              

Once again, we’re incredibly grateful to have great friends. Yet another couple, Karl and Brenda, were coming down to Cuenca to live. And what did they ever so graciously bring for us in their container? Oh, just ‘little” things like a dishwasher, kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures ~ along with a wood stove and radiant heat flooring supplies. Jeff is determined to keep me warm up there, so we’ve now got everything we need to take the chill off; and we’ll have special touches we might not otherwise have had. Now that’s a blessing.

No, I’ve got that wrong. The blessing isn’t only in the finer trappings, but in the fact that we’ve got such special friends who have each had a hand in the building of our home. We can't wait to be toasting them, the talented crew, and the architect/contractor 
in December when we expect to 
move in. And with any luck, they’ll all be there together with us at our very first pizza and chancho (roast pig) party! As they say here, ¡Ojalá que sí!  (Sure do hope so!)