Category: Traveling

Do you ever entertain thoughts about living abroad? Are those thoughts ready to become a reality for you? I’ve been reading eletters from International Living for awhile, and highly recommend that anyone wanting to live abroad, or anyone who enjoys traveling on a broad scale, get a subscription to IL. Kathleen Peddicord is the publisher. Once upon a time she and her husband Lief and their two children moved from the States to live in Ireland, five years later they moved to Paris, and now there’s talk of Panama. This family travels the world and that makes Kathleen Peddicord very competent to write all the many eletters that go out to subscribers. Also, the group of people working at IL are constantly traveling to bring us their experiences in foreign lands. we readers reap the benefits from the IL staff and their explorations for they guide us every step of the way into a new lifestyle in a foreign country. Along with the wealth of information they provide to readers, the eletters are interesting, and fun to read. And not only that, there are conferences held throughout the year in different areas of the world. Attending a conference gives you a chance to gather information pertaining to your needs, and meeting and talking with people, could speed up the time it takes to arrive at a new lifestyle in a country that is calling to you. It’s happened. At the conferences, you’ll get detailed accounts of what it takes to live in a foreign country-real estate, cost of living, culture, work, etcetera-the IL staff is always ready to answer any question about the countries they explore, and write about.

So, if you’re considering living abroad or have the travel bug big time, internationalliving.com could greatly assist you along the way. Also, you might want to learn about the country Lief is writing about now.

This time of the year, when it’s bone chilling cold, I sometimes think of Isabella and Serge from France, and Le Rendez Vous, the place they lovingly built in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I happened upon Le Rendez Vous one day when I was out walking. There’s no effort involved in finding anything in Vilcabamba since everything extends not too far from the town square. It’s a different story when you’re searching for a friend’s house in the mountains.

When I found Le Rendez Vous, I was staying at a charming place called Hostal Jardin Escondido. Then one day I heard a bell ring in my mind telling me it was time to leave Jardin Escondido for other experiences. I walked past the wall surrounding Isabella and Serge’s place and peeked in. “Very nice,” I thought. That day I said goodbye to the friendly staff at Jardin Escondido and to the acquaintances I’d met, laughed with and dined with, and walked my suitcase to the lovely room waiting for me at Le Rendez Vous. Chairs and a table were set in front of every room’s window, and in the morning Isabelle’s freshly-baked bread and delicious coffee would be served, along with fresh fruit or a freshly-squeezed fruit drink.. There were avocado, mango, lemon, bamboo trees, big wonderful plants surrounding Le Rendez Vous, and there were the beautiful mountains. What a tranquil scene it was. And guests can buy a chicken, potatoes, and veggies from the little local grocery store, wrap it all in foil and throw it onto the coals in the pit on the grounds. How good it is. There you are at night, under the stars, enjoying the food, and laughing with strangers. Isabella and Serge said that they travelled all over South America before returning to Vilcabamba. Every time they thought of VIlcabamba, they were pulled back to its tranquility and beauty. Eventually they returned to build their dream place. www.rendezvousecuador.com

One day I’ll go back. I’ve no doubt about that. And there, I hope will be, along with Le Rendez Vous, El Punto restaurant, La Tarraza for lunch, the enjoyable walk to Madre Tierra for lunch or dinner, the enjoyable walk to Izhcayluma for lunch or dinner, Shanta’s Bar, Mandango for hiking, beautiful Podocarpus National Park, Rumi Wilco Eco lodge for nature, the faces of the happy children, the Book Exchange up the road, where perhaps there’s another copy of “THE PANAMA HAT TRAIL” a very funny book which was left by a traveler at the Book Exchange. There’s got to be a few other things I’ve forgotten, but will happily remember when I get there. And I’ll apologize to Nora who tried, oh how she tried, to teach me Spanish. I’ll do better next time, Nora. Yes, it’s all good! Right!
www.madretierra1.com
www.izhcayluma.com
www.rumiwilco.com
www.thebestofecuador.com/pnodo.htm

If the timing is right for you, there are two books worth taking wherever you go. Honest! They are THE ART OF PILGRIMAGE, by Phil Cousineau, and THE ROAD WITHIN, Edited by Sean O”Reilly James O’Reilly Tim O’Reilly. As you read, let the words hang all around you, and inside you, it’s impossible to not feel the magic of what’s being conveyed. Well, impossible is a strong word, but I want to say impossible. These two books, seemingly about travel, are much more than that. They take us to fascinating places, ancient and modern, and they also take us to places within ourselves.
www.philcousineau.net
www.travelerstales.com

While reading these books,there’s a chance you’ll want to start searching for the best flights to whereever the urge takes you. After you’ve let it all sink in, and have highlighted places and words that sing to your heart, who knows where we’ll find you in this amazing world.

When traveling alone in a foreigh country and you need a hand someone generally shows up. It must be an unspoken law of the universe. Someone will be by your side just when you want to scream out to the world, “HELP! I can’t read this map. The street names are driving me crazy. I can’t understand a word on a menu. And I barely remember where my hotel is because I forgot to take an address card.” Dah! It never fails that the nicest people will notice the agony on your face, and additionally, see a way to practice their English (I’ve been told it’s easy to spot an American. I’m not asking how; I don’t want to know), and Voila, you might have a guide for the day. When I’m in a tight spot in a foreign country I ask myself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen to me right now?” Perhaps I have a lack of imagination, because when I ask this question, always I see myself sleeping on a bench at the local police station.

Travel essay books give great ideas as to the what, why and how of traveling. For instance, I just finished reading PASSIONATE NOMAD The Life of FREYA STARK by Jane Fletcher Geniesse. Freya Stark was an unstoppable traveler, or after reading the book, you might say she was simply unstoppable, and her life was an exciting adventure. Travel & Leisure says of the book, “Freya Stark was one of the most intrepid adventurers of all time. . . . Jane Fletcher Geniesse brings to life this intense, original personality, and her often dangerous exploits.”

If you want to get going, but have questions, read a good travel essay book. It can give insight as to the way other travelers see the world, and other views start to unfold for you, after which you just might find youself purchasing a one-way ticket to who knows where for who knows how long.

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasant sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure. You have no idea of what is in store for you, but you will, if you are wise and know the art of travel, let yourself go on the stream of the unknown and accept whatever comes in the spirit in which the gods may offer it.” – Freya Stark, The JOURNEYS ECHO

I wouldn’t mind being in Panama right now. There’s a place in the Chiriqui area called Boquete, and just like Vilcabamba in Ecuador, life is unspoiled, people are kind; they don’t rush, and there’s so much beauty in the surrounding mountains. Once you’ve stayed a bit, and experienced the way life is there, you never forget it. The days are sunny, humid in Panama City, lovely in Boquete. People walk in the rainstorms in Boquete, rainstorms that leave you completely soaked. Those rainstorms-they start quickly and stop quickly.

From Nice, France, I arrived in Panama City. The trip was a long one and I hadn’t made hotel reservations before leaving Nice. I started thinking about this in Miami after boarding the last leg of the flight. That night there were few passengers on the Miami to Panama flight so it was easy to talk with the flight attendants. They were a happy crew and when I asked one attendant about hotels, he said I shouldn’t have a problem. I learned not to be anxious, okay, not to be too anxious, because when traveling casually and solo you get used to asking yourself what’s the worst thing that could happen if . . .

There were only a handful of employees at Tocumen Airport at about 4:00 am, and after following the usual arrival steps, I walked over to the only employee I saw in the area, and inquired about hotels. He asked me to follow him to an office where we could talk. He asked a few questions and suggested that he call his girlfriend’s father who is a taxi driver. He then made another phone call to a friend inquiring about hotels. I had a taxi driver and a reservation at a “good” hotel within a short time. It was interesting that the people he called were awake at that hour. He was young, mature, and handsome. He was confident, had a nice smile and a generous spirit. We talked until his girlfriend’s father arrived twenty minutes later. He said he enjoyed speaking English. I couldn’t have done better had I made the plans myself. The next day it occurred to me that I didn’t know his name. So, this is to you, wherever you are. Thank you very much.

Giving to others selflessly and anonymously
radiating light throughout the world
and illuminating your own darkness,
your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself
and all beings.
-Lao-Tzu

www.pension-marilos.com
www.tocumenpanama.aero