Where shall I go?
One of the most difficult things about being on one’s own, is making life-changing decisions with no one but yourself to rely on to make them. There’s no chit chat, back and forth, throwing out of pros and cons about the issue in question. It just comes down to you!
And I’m having a difficult time coming to a conclusion about where to live. There are still so many unknowns out there. Living here in the States is still - and always will be - out of the question. It’s just way too expensive for someone like me on a very fixed income. That I have come to terms with (sort of!).
South Africa is looking very iffy, still. Although from most reports, it seems to have settled down with less violence and disruption than before. But do I want to live somewhere where I will always be cautious walking out on to my veranda, concerned someone has scaled the wall, is hungry and will do whatever it takes to get food?
The area I was in is relatively safe. By relatively, I mean by South African standards. And I had become used to that, to a certain degree. But then I get back here, where I can walk out the door without a worry, pretty certain my car is secure, intact, sitting on the street overnight. And I can go for a walk by myself. That is a huge thing because in South Africa, it isn’t safe for a woman to go walking on her own.
So safety and security are a huge issue and unless the corruption and political situation there is brought under control, it can only get worse.
Now I am looking at South and Central America again. In particular, Colombia. The country has had the reputation of being drug central, but from what I have been learning, and from Ryan’s recent trips there, it is safer than South Africa, the cost of living is very low (I can qualify for a pensioner visa on my limited income) and…it’s so much closer to here.
Ryan and I are hoping to go there next month to do a bit of exploring; for me to get “feet on the ground” and get a real feel of the place. Of course, I’m keen to see the beach areas but it may be too hot for me. Medellin apparently is gorgeous, with year-round spring-like weather. Bogota is much higher and never gets really warm so not too keep about that!
The biggest downside of this is once again, being in a place I know no one, don’t speak the language and starting from scratch again.
I just have to take this one step at a time. Without information, it would be foolish to make major life decisions that will hopefully, never have to be made again. So I better get it right.
Downtown Colusa
Last week was the long drive down from Washington State, through the heat and smoke from the raging fires. Fortunately, the fires are mainly east of the mountains so didn’t have any road closures but the air was thick with smoke all the way south. I split the drive into 3 days of driving; I’m not keen to do driving marathons any more!
First stop in Roseburg, Oregon in a very 60’s motel that, although off the freeway a bit, was still very noisy. But as I kept the air conditioning on all night, that deadened the noise somewhat. The second day of driving was very eerie. The entire day, the smoke was so thick that none of the hills and mountains the freeway runs through, were visible. There was nothing to see, and I was glad I had an audio book to listen to!
That night was in Colusa, a little town way off the freeway, with the Sacramento River wending its way through the surrounding farmlands and rice paddies. It was 107F when I got there late afternoon, so holed up for the evening. I had all my food, so no need to go out to eat. I got up early the next morning, while it was still cool and watched the red ball sun rise. The smoke made for a spectacular sight.
After walking around the sleepy town for a while, I stopped for coffee and sat outside enjoying the coolness of the day. And was so impressed by how friendly the locals were. Every single person who went into the cafe greeted me with a smile and a “good morning,” something that rarely happens anywhere. I was almost (but not quite!) tempted to find out about living there! Such a pleasant way to start my last day of the drive.
Now I am ensconced at Ryan’s (he’s off in Croatia!) taking care of doctor appointments etc. And next week, it’s time for a Mexico trip with Betsy and June. Another Suelebration! We’re going to Valle de Guadalupe which is east of Ensenada and becoming a very popular wine region. Ryan and I went there 5 years ago, so it’s going to be interesting to see how much it has changed.
