Purpose of Life

Yesterday, after two days of not a single guest at the restaurant Mana Pizza Yolo, finally there were some visitors again! Among them three girls, who are staying at the hostal across the street. One is from Canada, one from New Zealand, and the third from the Netherlands.

I immediately noticed their awesome vibes. And before I could even explain the menu, a wonderful, deep conversation had started! As happens to be the case so often these days when I'm in the restaurant, the topic was the purpose of the human species on the planet, how to find and live our individual purpose in the world, and how to find happiness and fulfillment.

Sarah tried to take notes on her phone of various ideas and perspectives, so I pointed her to the Tool of the Universe blog.

One of the core aspects of the "tool of the Universe" world-view is, that the Universe guides us through coincidents into situations either that help us grow, or where we are needed, or (most often) both. 

This conversation was just such an experience again! It seemed to me, that they were very ready for just exactly the ideas I am able to share. Many questions were asked. Many aspects were touched upon.

Through this conversation they got answers to many questions they couldn't find answers before, a new and different perspective to view the world opened for them. And for me it was really nice, too. I've been searching all my life to find answers to these questions, and through these curious and open-minded youngsters, I was able to share the insights I was given along the way. And, as so often, their questions helped me, too, to delve even deeper and understand even better how it all fits together!

What took me a life-time to figure out, I shared in 1/2 hour. Now they can use their life-time to build on top of my insights. And when they are in their 60s, youngsters will most likely come into their life, and they will be able to share two life-times worth of wisdom with these youngsters...

Situations like this make feel hopeful for the world, that humanity is not going to self eradicate but will figure out how to live within the system without changing it to the point where humans no longer can exists. And, these conversations make me feel I shouldn't sign off just yet, because I still am useful on this planet!

When people want to hear about why I'm there, I'm explaining that my land and house are in Chiriquí (5 hours by car or a full day traveling by bus) but my heart is here in Santa Catalina. She's baking the best pizzas in town, as over and over customers have been enthusiastically proclaiming. 

Now, my heart does come with me to Camarón Arriba, when I go there to continue with the development of my house. So theoretically, she could just stay there with me. We could close the restaurant, sell the house that's planned to be the Hostal Un Mundo, and both retire to my place.  But...

Iris delights in surprising her clients with her wonderfully looking, and super tasty meals. It is a lot of work, but it provides happiness and fulfillment to her. And even though the restaurant is just barely paying for its costs, it is these opportunities for conversations that make me want to hold on to it, too.

After all, we're not here just to be comfortable, but to make a contribution to the continuation of the development of this creation! So, I guess, as long as we both have the energy to continue, we'll both be living mostly in Santa Catalina, Veraguas - welcoming and surprising our guests with our specialties for their body and their soul...

Leave the planning to the Universe...

When in Santa Catalina I spend most evenings at Iris' restaurant. Most of the guests there are travellers from other parts of the world: Europe, US, even South Africa and South America, too. 

Most often a conversation develops with one or the other group, usually about finding purpose and happiness in your life. So many of the folks in their 30s that end up visiting the restaurant are on an extended trip, with the purpose of finding purpose, fulfillment, and their mission. 

This is the topic I have searched about for all my life, and spent many, many days and nights pondering. Those who know me, know that I have found a different world-view, one that makes the quest for happiness and fulfillment much easier. 

Quite frequently the conversation becomes very inspiring - for them, because it is a completely different perspective and a completely new way to look at life, thus, holding a tremendous potential to get ahead in their quest. And for me, every young person, who is interested in more than just their own comfort, gives me hope that humanity might still be able to survive on this planet and not destroy it to the point where it becomes impossible for humans to live.

One of the key insights that I a often try to convey is, that leaving the planning and arranging up to the Universe works much better, than trying to do it yourself.

Despite how much humanity so far has figured out and come to know and understand, compared to how much there would be to know we are really barely at the beginning stages.  Try to draw a graph, with "0 knowledge" on one side, and "knowing all" on the other side. Then put a mark to where a potato-peeler would fall on this line, and where a dog, and where you, and where humanity as a whole. These 4 marks would be pretty much at the same spot - basically at the "0 knowledge" end - even if you were to draw the graph 4 km long...

With that realization in mind, how stupid and arrogant for us to think we should be in control of what's happening. Praying for something (or the newer idea of using your sub-conscience to manipulate what's coming to you) is just that. Acting, as if you know what is best to happen. God (or whatever you call it) needs a reminder and a pointer to know what to arrange for? Well, it makes no sense, and it obviously doesn't work! Never has (as far as I can observe) and never will (as far as I can imagine).

What does work, though - at least as much as I can observe and notice - is to leave the planning and arranging up to the Universe, and put your effort into trying to understand what is coming your way and why!

Since the first time this thought occurred to me more than 15 years ago until today, I have seen it over and over and over again, that whatever came my way needed something, and it was highly likely to actually happen, just because I am me, I behave as I do, react as I do, am passionate about what I am, have the skills, knowledge and experiences that I have. Also, it most often was exactly what I needed, too - not necessarily for my own comfort or ego, but for me to make the next step in my development to become an even more sophisticated, more capable tool that the Universe can use to get certain things accomplished.

BTW, I am much more "productive" when I am happy. It seems, that the Universe is aware of that, and takes care of that, too! I eventually get everything that I need to be happy and well taken care of - both spiritually, as well as physically!

My experience is, that the less I focus on what "I want", and instead focus on what I can "contribute", the more I get what I really need - automatically, by itself, without me having to do anything else except recognize, accept and embrace it when it shows up!

My life used to be full of struggle and always felt like running a steep slope uphill, swimming against the current. Well I was! Because I ignored where the current was going! Heck, I didn't even realize there was a current! Now, I still have to work, I still am often clueless, I still experiences crises, I still have to put effort into whatever I am doing - but, my life is full of amazing experiences, awesome rewards and accomplishments, and fulfilled, meaningful, and happy! 

The simple change I attribute all of this: I stopped focusing on what I want, what I plan, what I want to accomplish, and instead focus on what the Universe might hope to get done when it sends my way whatever shows up in my life.

It just like in a good job: If you focus on your work, the money shows up automatically in your account!

Our Hostal Un Mundo is getting close to be ready…

Slowly, step by step, the hostal in Santa Catalina is getting further and further ahead. Yeay!

We finished tiling the kitchen a few days ago. Iris is now grouting the last little areas. Then applying the sealer, and the kitchen and dining room is ready. 

Iris the chef is also an expert in grouting by now!

My dear friend Nancy had bequested her dining table to me, and it came from the US with the container with my household goods in September.

our first guests at breakfast

I’m still working on a rustic bench, built from rough-sawn teak and cedro wood. My tablesaw and other tools came with my household goods, too. It feels so nice to be able to work with wood again!

The dorm room is also ready. I built the beds, we bought the mattresses and carried them home on the roof-rack, and Iris put the sheets and towels… 

It is a rather small space, but mattresses are good ones, and sheets, too.

We hope folks will enjoy our hospitality

We are ready for guests. Only the outside needs to still be worked on. But, that will get done in time as well…

A few days ago, I noticed a young couple in front of the restaurant, with their backbags at their feet. It was already late at night, and they appeared not to know where to go. I went outside to chat a little with them. Turned out, my impression was right - they where stranded without accommodations. They had a tent, but to find a spot to put it up in the night is rather difficult. So I offered them to stay with us for the night. 

Our first guests

They were very glad and we got a chance experience how it feels to have people stay in our home. We had a wonderful time with them! 

They reaffirmed for me that the idea and concept is good and needed:

Hostal Un Mundo

One World - One Planet - One people

A meeting-spot for open minded, caring spirits from all over the planet!

Ausgemustert - Out of service

I read a newspaper article today in the Salzburger Nachrichten, reporting on an exhibition of photographs with old folks, who have been sent to nursing homes and are basically just waiting there for the end of their life.

It made me very thoughtful!

Ausgemustert - Out of Service!

I'm heading there, too. Or am I there already? I retired. I stopped working for money. I am no longer pursuing my career as software engineer.  am no longer in service the way I used to be!

There are quite a few older expats in the area where I moved to. All but one, actually, are retired. 

But, we're by no means "just waiting to die"!  

View of Pacific from 700m above sea-level - the road passing my home leading to town

The one expat neighbor who's still in her 40s had moved her mom here during the pandemia. The reason was exactly this: her mom was shutting down more and more. From each video call to the next she noticed the decline of her mother. Until it was more than she could take and she picked her up from the nursing-home in the US and brought her to live with her here in Panama. In the two years her mom is now living here her decline not just stopped, but turned around! She is now full of life again, enjoying walking in the large park like garden, singing karaoki, delighting in the food - much of it fresh from the garden. What a difference!

For the retirees of us it's about the same: we are all enjoying our time here on this planet. Panama makes it possible - no matter what condition we're in! While we're still agile enough we can work our own garden, explore the beautiful country, delight in reconnecting with nature. If the garden is too big, or cooking is not our thing, or there's anything else that needs to be done and we're not up to it for whatever reason, there are many people around here, who love to take care of these tasks for us. And it does not brake the bank!

Instead of paying 7,000$ a month for assisted living, here you can hire a live-in caretaker for 1,000$, should you need one. 

Instead of being fully dependent on the grocery store half of the year, here your garden bears fruits and vegetables and roots all year round. You decide how organic you want your food to be. 

Otoe - a root vegetable like yucca - also just 7 months old 

My neighbor and gardener Carlos planted these banana trees about 7 months ago

Instead of feeling out-of-service in the sense of "cast aside", "locked away", here you can feel out-of-service in the sense of no longer having to work. 

Instead of feeling abandoned and lonely and disconnected, here you can reconnect with nature, be taken care of as much or as little as you want or need, and - if you treat your neighbors and caretakers nicely - be integrated again in a village life!

Even more! You can be the window to the world for the neighbors' kids. Through you, they - and their family - get a chance to get to know about another culture, get introduced to different ideas and approaches, and get inspired to learn, grow, and be open for the world!

What a difference! 

There the rest of your life is just wasting away. Here, you are making a difference to your last breath!

There you are a problem. Here you are appreciated and part of a solution!

My neighbor's son loves to hang out with us. Soon he'll start learning english in school. He'll get plenty of opportunity to practice with us!

If you want more information about various topics, here are links to my blog posts about: residency options, learning spanish, the climate, locally grown food. For any other questions, you can ask in a comment, and I'll try to answer or point you to where you can find more information.

Financially, here's the summary: if you're retired you need a pension of 1,000$ (1,250 for you and your partner).  If you're not yet retired, you can invest 130,000$ in a reforestation project for your residency. If you want to buy a comfortable real estate, you can get something very nice for 150,000$. Or you can rent something nice for under 1000$/month. So, financially it is very feasible for almost anybody in Europe, the US, or Canada, Australia, and such... 

If you want to come for a visit to see how it suits you, chat me up, I'll help you plan and arrange if you like... For me, now was the time to be adventurous, but in a safe way. How about you? 

To protect and serve - or - to abuse and harass

(Texto en español debajo de ingles...)

So far, my experience with the police in Panama has been very good. At check points they have always been polite and professional. 

One time, I had missed a 60 kph sign and was pulled over as I was driving 80 kph. (I always set the cruise-control, so I don't have to worry about police. That works really well! The sole point of failure, though, is, if I miss a speed limit sign... Oh well...) 

The officer was polite and informed me of my wrong doing. But then he kept talking about "we can fix the problem right here, it doesn't have to go to the national registry". I didn't understand, but Iris told me, he's looking for a bribe. After giving him 20$, he smiled, and sent us on our way without a ticket. That was - so far - the only negative experience.

However, lately I observed a police action that made me very sad and worried!

A police officer approached a young man who was riding a skate board. He took his backpack and threw it on the ground. Insulting the young man during the whole process, yelling something like: "I'm so hoping I find something on you!". He searched his pockets and padded him down, spending an excessive amount of time fumbling around the young man's genitals, while smiling provocatively in his face, as if saying "so? What'ya gonna do about this?". He treated the young man really, really badly - the way I'm used to see police in the US treat black men.

He didn't find anything, though! The young man had learned his lesson...

A year or two ago, he and his girlfriend were caught with a small quantity of marijuana. He was arrested, and spent the night in jail. Also, the justice of peace sentenced him to community work. He helped with a beach cleanup and served his sentence. Since then, he stayed clear of marijuana. Getting handcuffed, and spending a trial night in jail was severe enough an experience for him to decide not to go down that road again.

Since then, however, police treat him like a criminal. At any time, they descend on him, treating him very disrespectfully and provocative. Throwing around his stuff, delighting in padding him down, knowing how angry especially young men get when offended in this way. Yet, there's nothing the victim of this police digression can do. So he just lifts his arms and lets the procedure pass over him. Silently delighting in the disappointment of the officer for not finding anything.

Apparently, there were only two older officers doing this originally. However, the younger, newer officers are watching and learning. And the corruption of the senior officer is taught to all the junior officers working with him.

Now, double checking known offenders is a good practice. Of course! However, only if it is done in a respectful manner! Then, it serves as reminder to the person, that it is better to stay on the right side. 

But, disrespect and offensive, provocative behavior by the police officer is causing the opposite effect! It stirs up anger, resentment, and disrespect. Initially, it doesn't show, as the victim of the abuse is aware of the power of the police. However, you never know when the last straw is added onto the camel's back, and the victim explodes - and explosions always cause much, much destruction and damage!

Aside of the situation really being sad and upsetting by itself, it really makes me even more unhappy that it is happening in Panama - my new country of residence, the place where I would like to spend the rest of my life!

The pattern is very similar to what's happening with the police in the USA. I am guessing, that when the US invaded Panama to rid the country of their dictator Noriega, they then proceeded to train the newly formed police. Teaching them good techniques, but also planting the seed of corruption and abuse. 
And, just like in the US, where police is treated with suspicion at best and plain hate and disgust by many, police here seems to not enjoy the respect and trust of the population either.

And that is the real problem!!! If those who are supposed to ensure that the rules of community are upheld, thus ensuring a peaceful and safe living together, if those are not trusted because they themselves are not upholding the same rules, how can they be effective? How can such a society be peaceful and safe?

Looking at history, the Universe always finds a way to fix issues, to improve situations, to affect change. So I'm sure, this situation will at some point be resolved well as well. (Here probably sooner, than in the US, as there it is much deeper ingrained, and those who would be able to affect change seem to not be able or inclined to understand the problem.) 

The question is just, how much suffering and further destruction of trust and respect in police still has to happen until the situation improves?

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Para proteger y servir - o - para abusar y acosar

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Hasta ahora, mi experiencia con la policía en Panamá ha sido muy buena. En los puntos de control siempre han sido educados y profesionales.

Una vez, me había saltado una señal de 60 kph y me detuvieron cuando conducía a 80 kph. (Siempre configuro el control de crucero, así que no tengo que preocuparme por la policía. ¡Funciona muy bien! El único punto de falla, sin embargo, es si pierdo una señal de límite de velocidad... Bueno... )

El oficial fue cortés y me informó de mi mal proceder. Pero luego siguió hablando de "aquí mismo podemos arreglar el problema, no tiene que ir al registro nacional". No entendí, pero Iris me dijo que está buscando un soborno. Después de darle 20 $, sonrió y nos envió sin boleto. Esa fue, hasta ahora, la única experiencia negativa.

Sin embargo, últimamente observé una acción policial que me puso muy triste y preocupada.

Un policía se acercó a un joven que andaba en patineta. Tomó su mochila y la tiró al suelo. Insultando al joven durante todo el proceso, gritando algo como: "¡Espero encontrar algo sobre ti!". Buscó en sus bolsillos y lo acomodó, pasando una cantidad excesiva de tiempo hurgando en los genitales del joven, mientras le sonreía provocativamente a la cara, como si dijera "¿entonces? ¿Qué vas a hacer con esto?". Trató al joven muy, muy mal, de la forma en que estoy acostumbrado a ver a la policía en los Estados Unidos tratar a los hombres negros.

¡Sin embargo, no encontró nada! El joven había aprendido la lección...

Hace un año o dos, él y su novia fueron atrapados con una pequeña cantidad de marihuana. Fue arrestado y pasó la noche en la cárcel. Asimismo, el juez de paz lo condenó a trabajos comunitarios. Ayudó con la limpieza de una playa y cumplió su condena. Desde entonces, se mantuvo alejado de la marihuana. Ser esposado y pasar una noche de juicio en la cárcel fue una experiencia lo suficientemente grave como para que decidiera no volver a tomar ese camino.

Desde entonces, sin embargo, la policía lo trata como a un criminal. En cualquier momento, descienden sobre él, tratándolo de manera muy irrespetuosa y provocativa. Tirar sus cosas, deleitarse en acolcharlo, saber lo enojados que se ponen, especialmente los hombres jóvenes, cuando se los ofende de esta manera. Sin embargo, no hay nada que la víctima de esta digresión policial pueda hacer. Así que simplemente levanta los brazos y deja que el procedimiento pase por encima de él. Deleitándose en silencio con la decepción del oficial por no encontrar nada.

Aparentemente, solo había dos oficiales mayores haciendo esto originalmente. Sin embargo, los oficiales más jóvenes y nuevos están observando y aprendiendo. Y la corrupción del oficial superior se enseña a todos los oficiales subalternos que trabajan con él.

Ahora, verificar otra veces a los infractores conocidos es una buena práctica. ¡Por supuesto! Sin embargo, ¡solo si se hace de manera respetuosa! Entonces, sirve como recordatorio para la persona de que es mejor quedarse en el lado derecho.

¡Pero la falta de respeto y el comportamiento ofensivo y provocativo del oficial de policía están causando el efecto contrario! Provoca ira, resentimiento y falta de respeto. Inicialmente, no se nota, ya que la víctima del abuso es consciente del poder de la policía. Sin embargo, nunca se sabe cuándo se agrega la gota que colma el vaso y la víctima explota, ¡y las explosiones siempre causan mucha, mucha destrucción y daño!

Además de que la situación es realmente triste y perturbadora en sí misma, realmente me hace aún más infeliz que esté sucediendo en Panamá, mi nuevo país de residencia, ¡el lugar donde me gustaría pasar el resto de mi vida!

El patrón es muy similar a lo que está pasando con la policía en los Estados Unidos. Supongo que cuando Estados Unidos invadió Panamá para librar al país de su dictador Noriega, procedieron a entrenar a la policía recién formada. Enseñándoles buenas técnicas, pero también sembrando la semilla de la corrupción y el abuso.

Y, al igual que en los EE. UU., donde la policía es tratada con desconfianza en el mejor de los casos y con odio y repugnancia por parte de muchos, la policía aquí tampoco parece gozar del respeto y la confianza de la población.

Y ese es el verdadero problema!!! Si aquellos que se supone deben garantizar que se respeten las reglas de la comunidad, asegurando así una convivencia pacífica y segura, si no se confía en ellos porque ellos mismos no respetan las mismas reglas, ¿cómo pueden ser efectivos? ¿Cómo puede una sociedad así ser pacífica y segura?

Mirando la historia, el Universo siempre encuentra una manera de solucionar problemas, mejorar situaciones, afectar el cambio. Así que estoy seguro de que esta situación también se resolverá en algún momento. (Aquí probablemente antes que en los EE. UU., ya que allí está mucho más arraigado, y aquellos que podrían afectar el cambio parecen no ser capaces o inclinados a comprender el problema).

La pregunta es, ¿cuánto sufrimiento y más destrucción de la confianza y el respeto en la policía todavía tiene que pasar hasta que la situación mejore?

(traducido con la ayuda del traductor de google )

MicroSerfin - a false Robin Hood - stealing from the poorest of the poor

A few years ago I read about a guy in Bangladesh (I believe) who started to provide micro loans to the poor people. This enabled them to buy a bicycle or sewing machine or similar item, which made it possible for them to start a business providing a service, thus creating a doorway for them to put food on their table and support their family. I remember how excited I was about this idea. Oh how wonderful!

Now, Panama is not as poor as Bangladesh, but there are many people here who survive on jobs that are paying 12 $ a day (sometimes even less), and sometimes are not even providing work every day of the week. With such a dismal income, paying 30$ +/- per year for a bank account is way too expensive, of course. So most of the poorer people have no bank account - and there's quite a large number of people who fall into this category!

Without bank account, however, it is completely impossible to get a bank loan. Heck, if you're not able to bring proof of a fixed income, you can't open a bank account at most of the banks. A bank loan is just not an available option when somebody is in such position.

But, just like in Bangladesh, there are organizations in Panama, too, who are "helping" such people. Or at least they say so...

One of them is called BBVA MicroFinanzas - the parent of MicroSerfin.

Unfortunately, however, this company is engaging in predatory lending practices!

A friend of mine took a loan from them a few years ago. She made her payments in time all the time, and generally was a good borrower. When making her payment in October she got a receipt showing 1587$ as open amount. 

10th of November - total amount owed: 1,587$

In November I paid 1,500$ on her account - through online banking. 

7th of November, my payment - one month after total amount showed 1,587$

The amount was credited. However, when she tried to get a receipt, they told her that it is not possible. Instead they gave her a printout showing the 1,500$ of November registered as prepaid monthly payments for the next 10 months. I didn't think much about it, yet, and suggested that once she has the money to pay the remaining less than 100$, it will all be well.

Yeah right! When she was trying to pay the remaining amount in December (7th), she was told she owed about 500$!

She asked me how is this possible. I advised her to simply pay 10$ onto the account to get a receipt, which she then did, here is that receipt.

When we met again she showed me the receipts, and I couldn't believe my eyes! How could 1 month of owing 1587$ plus 1 month of 1,500$ less incur 400$ in interest? That's 25% interest per month! Or 300% interest per year!!!

7th of December - total owed showing as 400$ more. And a week later it's now up to 520$!

I decided to come with her to the office and try to figure out what's going on. By that time - a week later - the amount owed now was 35$ more again - up to 520$!!! (Look at handwritten note on bottom right.) Even if the 486 $ were right, that would be more than 7% of interest per week, or 350% per year!!!

I told them they are engaged in predatory lending practices, and gave my friend 80$ to pay the amount that is supposed to be open. They refused to take the 80$ but barraged her with explanations about why she's supposed to pay more, that the system is calculating this and the system is always right, and crap like this... I told my friend to not worry about any of their talk, just pay the 80$ and we'll deal with the rest after that. But they steadfastly refused to accept the money!

After fighting with them for about 1/2 hour, I told them I'll get the police for the officer to witness that they refuse to take the payment and left. By the time I got to the police station, my friend called me, telling me they are accepting the money now and I can come back without police. When I got back, they had finally stopped their barrage, and retreated into the back office, saying they'd call the headoffice to have them tell them how much she really owed. The new calculation (supposedly by the headoffice) was now 160$... Still way too much (amounts to about 5% per month, or 60% per year!)

I advised my friend NOT to pay the 160 $, but only the 80 $ - realizing, it's not going to be easy to get any money back from them. Finally (it was 5 minutes past their closing time) they accepted and processed the 80$. 

Now, check out the receipt below: They charged 18$ for management (gestión) - no other receipt has an amount in that field! These people are trying to steal more money even after realizing they were caught redhanded! Unbelievable!!!

Gestión 18.40$! What management did they do in the last week? Or is it the fee for having the audacity to question their ridiculous interest rates and predatory lending practices? 

What is really irking me is that in essence they are stealing money from the poorest of the poor people of Panama! Stealing hundreds of dollars from those who have to conserve every nickel and dime - literally! And all under the pretense of being a foundation with the mission to help that group of people! Despicable, if you ask me!

I do hope I find the energy to report them to ACODECO - the governmental department whose task it is to protect consumers.

Btw, the computer printing these numbers is an indication that this is not a simple mistake, but it is programmed into the system! It is something they do (or at least have the potential to do) all the time! And they are not even worried, because their client-base is mostly not educated enough about finances to notice that they are being robbed! 

Well, this time they messed with the wrong people... I'm curious to see how this story is going to continue...

Getting our appetite wet to finalizing the decision

Getting prepared by coincidents and experiences

I first contemplated retiring abroad when we visited Kerala - the southern most state in India. There, food and accommodations are very inexpensive (for somebody who had their job in the US or Europe), the mountains are absolutely gorgeous, the climate is very agreeable for me, and the food - well, "out of this world" is an understatement!

As so often, when your mind finally is opened for things to come, the things came!

First, my dear Friend Nancy told me about her neighbor retiring to Boquete, Panama. A few days later, another dear friend, Venus, sent me a link to International Living, coincidentally also for Panama. 

Now, that website is a mess!!! It makes everything look so easy, and desirable, and affordable, and plain out beautiful - how can one not get all excited? Of course, it is their business - so they make it sound beautiful, as it is their livelihood to keep people sign up for their "guided retirement tours" or use them for real estate transactions, and whatever other way thy figured out to make money off of interested folks...

Yet, despite the fact that their intentions are of a different nature than ours, it was a good start to wet our appetite and to get basic information about many places in the world.

Scouting out our options

We decided to start visiting those countries that are high on our list. Among them Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Panama. India doesn't have a visa that makes retiring there possible. Tobago - one of my favorite islands in the Caribbean - is beautiful, but way to expensive for us to afford it (similar to most other Caribbean Islands).

Of all the places we visited (on vacation at some time along the way, or during our scouting trips), Panama was special. After only a few days, Suzanne mentioned that she really, really liked the country, especially the rural areas outside of Panama City. And I felt the same way! So we decided to make it our goal to move there as soon as it makes sense for us to do so.

Another coincident preparing me more

Then Covid hit, and got us stranded at my parent's place in Austria!

What a great coincidence - another one in the string that prepared me for this! My mom cooks every day! We got used and hooked to delicious, home-cooked meals. My sister taught me how to bake my own bread. Not being able to leave the home much, we soon adopted my parents' daily rhythm. I experienced for 1/2 year how it would be if I were retired. Doing little projects, enjoying home-cooked meals, resting, walking the dogs, every now and then meeting some friends or other family... Life was awesome! By far one of the best times in my life - despite the Covid scare and restrictions!

Holding on to retirement-lifestyle (tooth and nail!)

Back in the states, I longed for the great way of life we just experienced. So I started to cook instead of eating out. I am baking my own bread (haven't bought a loaf in over a year by now!). And instead of going straight back to software engineering, I started working on our new old house. We had just bought it before our Panama trip and had completed most of the demolition. The rebuilding was left to do.

I thought, I could continue similar to how I lived in Austria. After breakfast work a little. After lunch have a siesta. And in the afternoon - well, either work some more, or write, or visit friends... 

Almost falling back into old ways

In April I thought enough home-fixing-upping, let me get a SW engineering project again. Make some dough! 

I applied for a couple of positions and got to where an offer was imminent. However, many things came in between that delayed the actual start. And, over time, it became clear to me, that I really could and should retire now! What sense does it make to work another year or two or ten, just to make more money, when I could get by and be happy with what I have saved up already - as long as I am not splurging?

I am free now!

So, I withdrew my name from the job, and put the wheels in motion to leave by autumn 2021.

I'll describe the visa options in my next post... For now, let me just ask you: do you prefer to work longer or to live on less money per month? What are your fears or concerns about retiring, and what are your hopes or plans?

Free as a bird - but what direction to choose?

During my June trip to Panama I firmed up my decision to not go back to work (at least for now), but to retire early. I have a little money left from the sale of the house last year, and a condo in Atlanta, which I am planning on selling next year. Together, the funds should suffice to buy a little property and sustain my life until I can start drawing my retirement annuity in two years. Together, it should allow me to postpone drawing SS until I am 67 (maybe longer, maybe not quite as long).

So, in essence, if I am very thrifty for a few years, I can retire now, and start working on my dream already!

Yeay!

But, wait! Which of my dreams? 

There are several options that sound absolutely awesome to me! I now have to make a very hard decision which of the possible lives I would want to lead.

1. Reforesting a piece of land

We hear about vast areas of land being deforested every day all around the globe. But there are also reports of reforestation projects. Panama, for example, has the declared goal of reforesting 1 million hectares ( 2.5 mill acres) by 2035. This is a report (in German) about a retiree in Turkey, who converted a landfill into a forest. And, of course, there's the awesome story of the photographer Sebastião Salgadoand his wife in Brazil.

I LOVE trees! The idea of buying a finca with a couple of hectares of former forest now (probably degraded) pasture, and spending my retirement years just planting trees, fills my heart with joy!

I've done some online searches and there appear to be properties of a reasonable size and price available. So, this is definitely a feasible option. 

2. English tutoring for locals

English is the de facto lingua franca. Any knowledge available in this world today is available in English. Some of the knowledge is available in German too, some in French, some in Chinese, and so on. But, for every other language it is only a part of the information that is available. Also, with most of international cooperations and projects, english is the common language that is being used.

I think, for any kid in this world today, who does not speak english, the world is not open. I was able to make something with my life by having been able to migrate from my home country to the US. Today, migrating is not necessary anymore - as long as there's internet and the ability to communicate in English, there are possibilities!

I've overheard some university level english classes, where the teachers had a terribly strong accent, and made many mistakes. I could imagine that on highschool level and even more so primary school level, the quality of english education is even less. Having access to another person to practice and experience is very important!

I do not like cities, but prefer rural areas. As everywhere, in rural areas it is even harder for locals to find good english tutoring options. Also, there seems to be a two class society, where indigenous folks get less opportunities than citizens of european, asian, or north-american descent. 

So, I think, I could make a real difference by offering english tutoring, especially to indigenous kids. 

Tutoring english has been on my mind for a while. I took an ESL Teacher certification program at University of North Georgia 2 years ago, already in preparation of this idea - offering english conversation and general language tutoring to locals.

This, too, is a very feasible option, that also warms my heart.

3. "my conversations"

I find myself very, very often in a situation, where the insights I have been given over my life-time are of great interest to people who just happen to show up in my life. Be it as seat neighbors in an airplane, at a coffee-house, on social media, in a park... anywhere, any time!

Going to Panama in June I anticipated not being able to have any conversations like this, due to the language issue. However, I soon realized that this concern was unwarranted! 

My first stay was at the Bhodi Hostel in El Valle de Anton. There I found a very diverse mix of nationalities and ages among the guests. And, plenty of instances where "my conversation" was happening.

It occurred to me, that if I were to organize a hostel then guests from all over the world could show up. I would be, essentially, "available" for the Universe to arrange for people to show up who need the information I'm able to provide.

Later, it dawned on me, that I don't even have to operate the hostel myself, but could just live close to a hostel, and every now and then, when I feel like it, go there for breakfast or dinner, and make myself available that way.

El Valle is a lovely town, and at a perfect elevation - temperature-wise. It has a great market and supermarket, it's very quiet and peaceful (off the main-street; but even on the main-street the traffic is nothing to worry about). 

There are several homes and properties for sale there. I found one online, which looks promising. So, this, too, is quite a feasible option.

As of now, I have no clue which of these options it will be. I keep flipping back and forth between them! 

I guess, it will clarify once I go back to Panama. As I always recommend to folks: let the Universe guide! Instead of me firming up plans based on my thoughts and knowledge (which is, of course, less than a fruit-fly poop spec!), be open minded and on the lookout for what is coming my way!

I love to ponder ideas, and to know what I am working towards, and then getting to work on it! Right now, I can't do that, as I have no clue what I'll end up doing. That makes it very difficult for me! On the other hand, there are so many loose ends I have to tie up where I am, that if I can focus on working on those, I'd soon be really free as a bird! 

So, I guess, I'll just do that: get my stuff here together and settled. Soon enough, I'll be in Panama again, and things will develop...

PS: For those of you, who do not know about my world-view (which is guiding all my life decisions and goals): it is explained here