There are definitely very clear pros and cons to living here. And some that are sort of nebulous but niggling that bother me in the middle of the night.

I came here, the place I still call home, to find out if living in this country could work for me. There were two main criteria - one of course being the financial aspect of it. And the other to discover whether I would be able to create or be included in a community, which is something that was sorely lacking in Washington and during my nomadic, housesitting time.

The first, the financial aspect, looks like it can work for me as the dollar exchange rate here is definitely in my favor. It means that I can actually have my own place, have wheels (although what I have now is a short-term solution) and I can actually have a life, albeit a very simple one. But that’s something I have had plenty of experience with and prefer it to a more consumerism-driven lifestyle.

The second part is something that is going to take time.

I came over with the express idea of living here as a local, not as a tourist, doing just the everyday things that make up a “normal” life. My little granny flat is ideal for me to get into regular routine, although the holidays (just about everything shuts down from mid-December to first week January) have made it a bit more of a challenge.

Building a community from scratch is not an easy thing to do, but I do have the advantage of having some family and old school friends in the area. But of course it takes time to become a part of any group and I know that if I had moved somewhere else, like Belize or Panama, it would be the same thing, without the benefit of knowing people.

I’ve never been much of a “joiner,” so getting out and joining any kind of group, like a yoga group or anything like that, is a real stretch for me and takes me way out of my comfort zone. So I am taking it step by step, easing into the “community” side of things.

Then there is the elephant in the room - safety and security which I knew was an issue, but I hadn’t really considered how it would impact me. With South Africa being at the top of the most dangerous countries in the world list, it’s something that weighs on my mind, especially in the middle of the night!

All the doors and windows have burglar guards and security gates, plus alarm systems. I remember when I was here 3 years ago, how onerous it was to lock everything any time you go out, always making sure you lock and latch doors and windows and hit the right code so you don’t set off the shrieking alarm. This time, it’s still the same, but even more so.

And I realize that I feel constrained by all the security and cautions. It’s isolating, bringing on feelings that affect me very much like when I was so isolated down on the canal in Washington. Now it’s not the lack of finances that are causing the isolation, but the lack of independence.

I can’t simple walk out the door, get in the car and drive or walk anywhere I want on my own. Having had to be completely independent, with no one or any thing to fall back on, and becoming accustomed to it, this situation is difficult. There are things I can’t do on my own. Or I could but it’s taking a chance. Considering where and when I go anywhere is very frustrating!

There are lots of places in the States I wouldn’t go, or would go with someone and those places generally aren’t high on my bucket list! But here, anywhere slightly off the beaten track is pretty much off limits for me as an “older” single woman.

But enough of all that.

I just spent a wonderful three days at one of my favorite places on earth, with my bestie from high school. Rosemary and I first went to “the cottage” when we were 16, and I have gone there every time I have been home. It’s barely changed over the years, just the ebb and flow of people changes.

This time, it was some of Rosemary’s kids and grand kids. And 5 dogs. The Rottweilers as protection, although Kaiser would be more likely to lick anyone to death than attack! But he is big and looks menacing to anyone who doesn’t know him.

Even at the cottage, and maybe even more than at home, security is a huge deal. The south coast is a known hot spot for burglaries and home invasions. It also means that beach walks alone are not wise. When Rosemary and I walked each morning, Kaiser came with us. Of course, he had no clue he was our security and played and ran and explored! I can only hope he would protect us but hope we never have to find out!

Now it’s back to everyday life, a challenge as now I need to start the community building process, which I know is important for my well-being but is also daunting!