Sometimes people tell me I am fearless. This is so far from the truth, but I have done things and been places that might make you think I am. We all fear different things. Staying still and settling in fills me with dread. Living in the same place having the same job the same neighbors and the same routine terrify me. But here I am now, living in the same city for 6 years, sedentary in the midst of the pandemic.
This blog used to be about letting go of the predictable and known, and going places — lots of places! And now, some years later, it will be about the settling down in one place. I had thought about how the world felt tentative, unstable and uncertain; like a game of musical chairs, and when the music stopped, you had better be where you want to be. And then, it stopped, at the beginning of 2020 quite literally for many places, and I had already, 3 years before, settled on Oaxaca de Juarez, in Southern Mexico. My wanderings halted. Not just in one city or one country, but in my house in my barrio. 2 1/2 years later, 2.5 years into the pandemic, I have traveled once, to the US. My traveling days may be over, so now this blog will be about the slow life in a small Mexican city in the far south of the country. And, of course, tales of other times. And discussions and reflections on our very strange new world.
I have lived in 9 countries and have traveled in 34 36 40. I’ve worked as a truck driver, a bartender, a candlemaker and a college professor. And a whole lot of other stuff along the way. Now I am retired and and my last real travel consisted of a year in South America, and landing in Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico.
Here are my stories and observations.
Just seeing that picture with you and a camel and the fact that you have experienced so many different places, yes you are FEARLESS!
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Thanks, I don’t consider myself so. It takes a kind of fearlessness to stay with your life and not feel the need to constantly move on. I admire the person who chooses to care for a sick loved one or devote themselves to a greater purpose and not quiver at the first hurdle. I appreciate your thought. Camels can be lovely, by the way! I’ll post some more pics one of these days.
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You have a terrific resume for the life of a wandering adventurer.
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Thank you.
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Sounds amazing! Would love to follow along through your adventures:)
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Everyone has to make their own adventure. But I’ll be posting a lot of pictures and ideas to keep you thinking.
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Thanks for reading and following my blog.
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So happy to have arrived here at your website. Wishing you the very best on your return, and look forward to following.
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Thank you.
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Interesting blog. Thanks for reading and following my blog.
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Thanks for your comment, as I’m glad that I had returned to visit your blog again. You are right there is a great number of suicides in Korea and especially in those who are already visible the public as celebrities, government officials, etc.
I know what you mean about being in the same place, amongst the same people. I too move around quite a bit (but definitely not as many places as you! nice!) and my last job was the toughest, as I had the least amount of co-workers to mingle with. Although I consider myself an introvert, how much more isolated one can feel being in a small office with the same folks everyday.
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Thanks for the comments. The Korean people can be quite wonderful and sweet, but there is a culture of “face” and responsibility that makes suicide too common. The pressure can also be too much, especially on young people.
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Very true. And similarly in Japan as well. Not so much in China, which is interesting, considering they’re larger.
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Glad to know about you.
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Thank you!
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I want to be like you when I grow up! When our kids are grown and out of the house, we will roam the world full time.
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Thank you! Traveling is a great thing, and so is raising children. I’ve done both, and I won’t make any comparisons- just different and important parts of life.
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Hello dear velissima!!!
I have gone through your blog.
it’s is very interesting and really enjoyed it.
here I will learn lot’s of things:)
so I am following you:)
and you are really fearless:)
all the best for blogging and life:)
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Thank you Vikram. I’ll take a look at your blog. I’m glad you enjoyed mine. I actually have two: joannebretzer.com and birdwithwings.com. I try to maintain both, one being more general, and one being specific to checking out places to settle down. Thanks for the kind comments!
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your welcome vellissima!!!
I would love to take a look at your other blog too:)
all the best for blogging and life:)
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birdwithwings.com is the address. Thanks.
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Fascinating life you’re living! I’m also a wanderlust, married to a man who never moved or traveled much. But now we live in an RV and travel full time! We have a joint blog, TheTumbleLees.me.
But I have my own where I share more personally, especially about being a wanderlust, not as impressive as yours, but enough that it makes it hard for me to want to settle down in one place: https://lifetimeofforgiveness.wordpress.com/wanderlust/
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It is hard to settle down, But it is time for me to at least have a home base, and a garden!
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I too am a wanderlust! Looking forward to reading about your adventures….:-)
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Okay, so just wow and intriguing :) I look forward to reading more of your blog. Warm wishes to you on your travels.
Thanks so much for the follow.
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Nice to met you vellissima!
“I have lived in 8 countries and have traveled in 34. I worked as a Teamster truck driver on the North Slope”
Loved this line!
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Thank you. I am also a fan of Tagore. What a lovely mind he had.
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Wow, Nice, If you have time and opportunity get a visa and hop into Kolkata, its not far from there!
It would be wonderful to meet you in person if we can someday!
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Hi, I had been reading a posting about Tagore on Ranu802, and that is why I responded about him! I’m not in Bangladesh now, I’m in Australia. I hope to get back to India soon, though. Visas are much easier to get these days.
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Oh Its okay no problem! That would be great!
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Nice meeting you, too.
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Sounds like such an exciting life! You must have so many amazing stories to tell! Can’t wait to dig into your blog! All the best! ❤️
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Thanks! Consumerism is one of my big issues, and I am reassured when I find others who are also concerned about it.
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I guess I read “poverty mindset” as having to do with consumerism, but I do see you have other things in mind. Anyway, I like your blog, and your photos!
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I think it applies to consumerism in the sense you are thinking also…I believe in a very simplistic type of life…I think that is why I am drawn to your blog also! Great to have met! Looking forwards to getting to know you more!
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Thanks!
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I’m not a traveller but wow how fascinating your blog is – by reading this I will travel in my head 😊 x
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Oh, please, join me! In your head, or in your future.
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I fully intend to 😊
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“We all fear different things. Staying still and settling in fills me with dread. Living in the same place having the same job the same neighbors and the same routine terrify me.”
I understand. I have the same fear (among my irrational ones)
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Thanks! I know there must be some who understand it. It can be hard to explain.
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yes. I know. Even my family call me nuts.
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Did you know i gave your name for the versatility award.
http://wannatalkavenscent.wordpress.com/
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No I didn’t! Thank you so much. I’ve been busy on a project this week, so I must have missed it!
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“Staying still and settling in fills me with dread. Living in the same place having the same job the same neighbors and the same routine terrify me.” – Brilliant! That is exactly what I think and feel.
It is absolutely awesome to see another woman prove her power and independence.
Wish you good luck on your travels and looking forward for your stories.
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Thank you. Sometimes it’s hard work, and sometimes it’s frightening, but this seems to be what the fates have in mind for me. I’ll write some new stories this week.
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Thanks for following The Immortal Jukebox. I hope you will enjoy the wide variety of music featured and perhaps make some discoveries. I usually post once a week and your comments are welcomed. Regards and good luck with all your projects. Thom
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Hi!
My name is Emma and I have the blog http://www.urbanlifexo.wordpress.com
I stumbled across your blog and love it!
I was wondering you would mind voting for my essay on AFS Project Change? If I win this contest, I will be able to go to Turkey to help the Syrian refugee children! You can vote once a day, and if you could it would be awesome if you could share the link with your friends and family! I have a longer post about the subject on my blog, but I need a ton of votes in order to win!
– Emma
This is the link to get you to vote! It makes you create an account first though.
http://contest.afsusa.org/entry/450953
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Okay. I voted. Good luck with your project.
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Thank you!
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Nice meeting you :) hope to read more…and do keep blogging more :)
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Thanks! I plan to keep blogging, for sure.
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Thanks for checking out my site; I look forward to seeing where you end up. While I live in Ecuador, I can’t quite figure out the appeal for retirees – other South American countries seem much less expensive. But I may be biased by living on the Galapagos and having spent my time on the mainland in Quito. Good Luck!
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So, what do you suggest? You live on the Galapagos? That seems pretty amazing.
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Here are the blog posts in order:
The Friendship Break-Up: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/the-friendship-break-up/
Some Girls Are: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/some-girls-are/
Did You Know? https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/did-you-know/
The Bell Jar: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/the-bell-jar/
5 Ways Being Chronically Ill Is Worse Than You Think (how my illness affected my friendships): https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/5-ways-being-chronically-ill-is-worse-than-you-think/
Clean: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/clean/
Ghosting: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/ghosting/
Gaslighting: https://themelodramaticconfessionsofcarlalouise.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/gaslighting/
I hope you like them!! They helped me; and I think they’ve helped others (which was the purpose).
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Thanks. I’ll have a look. I love getting some insight.
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Glad we connected. You’re an exceptionally interesting person!
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Well, you are too, and I like your writing. I’ll keep on reading.
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I love what you’re doing here. I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogging Award, which is to say, I love it, and you can determine if participating is for you. http://amypunt.com
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Thanks. I’ll try when I get a bit more settled. I’m in the midst of travel right now and internet access is problematic.
It is kind of you to think of me. I can’t wait to get back to work on the blog!
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Looking forward to tagging along on your travels!
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Thank you, you are such an angel!
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LOL!
OK! OK! OK!
Don’t forget you’re one too and
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I read your …about page. Interestingly enough I am thinking about traveling and shedding my cement boots. I never thought going the Hostel route. But, you have give me a very good idea. Thank you and happy trails to you!!
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I stayed 6 months with a friend in Australia, and I was a bit bored and very restless. I’ll get tired of traveling, maybe, and then I’ll have some ideas about where I want to be.
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I am excited to see you share your journey with us.
Tim
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Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
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Sounds like a full and rewarding life so far.
janet
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Thank you. It certainly has been full! But I think all of our lives are, some are just more overtly so.
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Hey Joanne. This is Therese of Ester Dome fame. If this is truly you, where in the world is this message finding you? I’ve done my fair share of traveling. Is love to catch up and have a chat. Ii am still in the Seattle area trying to figure out how to retire. Anyway please write if you have a moment. Tasoleil@gmail.com. Last name was Henderson. That is a thing of the past. Lol.
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Good lord! Amazing! I’m in Chachapoyas, Peru at the moment. I am retired and traveling on a small Social Security pension. I pass through Seattle now and then, as Tiffany lives there. I expect to be back in the late winter, on my way to Asia (my plan as of now). I’ll send you my email address.
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The person who travels a lot, truly enjoys Life very much.
You are lucky !! 40 countries !!
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Thanks, yes, there is a lot of pleasure in learning about the world, and it is also a lot of work, some times.
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Fearless is a term my friends use for me as well – maybe we should form a club of fearless women!
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