People come to San Miguel de Allende and they tell me, “I don’ know what I am going to do if I retire in this place. I would freak out because I have worked my whole life. What am I going to do?” People come to San Miguel de Allende and they tell me, “I don’ know what I am going to do if I retire in this place. I would freak out because I have worked my whole life. What am I going to do?” 
In Portugal, people tend to eat out more than probably most countries in Europe because that is the lifestyle here. I have lunch near my office here and I get a 3-course meal for about €7 (US $8 or £5.20). In Portugal, people tend to eat out more than probably most countries in Europe because that is the lifestyle here. I have lunch near my office here and I get a 3-course meal for about €7 (US $8 or £5.20). 
popular activities in Nicaragua. In many respects, Nicaragua is still an undiscovered country, with lots of opportunities.popular activities in Nicaragua. In many respects, Nicaragua is still an undiscovered country, with lots of opportunities.
Sad to say, but for us the biggest surprise was how friendly, open and caring people are in both the countries that we've been expats in. Panama has some of the friendliest and most helpful people in the world, and Colombians are, if anything, even more so. If you're considering becoming an expat, give up the existential fear of other people, other cultures, and you'll feel a lot better, and fit in much faster. There are a lot of unfounded, stereotypical horror stories about hostile...Sad to say, but for us the biggest surprise was how friendly, open and caring people are in both the countries that we've been expats in. Panama has some of the friendliest and most helpful people in the world, and Colombians are, if anything, even more so. If you're considering becoming an expat, give up the existential fear of other people, other cultures, and you'll feel a lot better, and fit in much faster. There are a lot of unfounded, stereotypical horror stories about hostile native people, and gringo bashing episodes, but the vast majority of them are fabrications, Sure, there are criminals and malcontents everywhere, but in our experience, the rest of the population, in Panama and again in Colombia more than make up for the bad actors. 
Children down here in Belize still use their imagination. Recently, I saw four 10-year old boys who are playing marbles. I am pretty sure that there is not a North American kid left right now who even knows what to do with a marble besides throwing it through a glass window. Children down here in Belize still use their imagination. Recently, I saw four 10-year old boys who are playing marbles. I am pretty sure that there is not a North American kid left right now who even knows what to do with a marble besides throwing it through a glass window. 
I have just read Tyson's story about how you need to bring chains and dogs and machetes and guns to Belize and I'm just trying to work out which Belize he is referring to. 
