Me in Lima. Definitely not in Kansas!
Did you know that Singapore is the most popular relocation country for rich ex-pats?
Were you aware that Switzerland is the #1 country for economic opportunity in the world, with Great Britain at #28 and the U.S. at #27?
Would it surprise you to learn that in spite of the many problems with poor infrastructure, corruption, and overall difficult living conditions, The Dominican Republic has good, low cost medical and early childhood care?
These are just a few of the things I have been learning reading Expats Blog, a compilation of interviews, articles, and blog links. I'm wondering why it doesn't get much traffic, because it certainly is fascinating. Just look at all these expat interviews.
My short experience in Peru opened my eyes to some of these differences, such as a taste of what life is like in countries where most people are poor.
I still am going through the photos and think I should post a pic or two from Lima:
Shopping street in central Lima.
Dome in lobby of Gran Hotel Bolivar. I almost missed it. Jim said, "Look up." I did, and there it was. Jim is one of those people who notice everything.
There goes my morning! But now I must hustle, because we are expecting house guests in a few hours.
Travel really opens the eyes and makes us re-evaluate our values. I think that the expat blog is worth a visit. I lived overseas for a number of years and it was a challenge and an adventure.
Posted by: Tabor | January 04, 2013 at 12:45 PM
I'm not surprised by those facts. Socialist countries do take care of their people better. I know that's a dirty word for many Americans, even going that way in Britain and Canada under right wing governments.
That shopping street in Peru looks very nice, reminds me of many European ones - note that there are no cars!
Posted by: marja-leena | January 04, 2013 at 12:53 PM
I just love pedestrian streets, there are many in Ireland. Gives one an opportunity to really see.
Lovely shots, Hattie.
XO
WWW
Posted by: wisewebwoman | January 04, 2013 at 05:35 PM
Singapore? I know my daughter wouldn't want to live there. She complained about the heat and humidity when they had to live there for a month. My son was in Ecuador last summer and he said that's where lots of senior Americans chose to live because it had a lower cost of living.
Posted by: Musings | January 04, 2013 at 11:57 PM
Hattie, thanks for the ex-pat link. I spent way too long reading some of the interviews -- all fascinating. I bookmarked the link to come back to when I have more time. Before I moved to Ky I was a US traveler for 15 some years -- nomadic, hunkering down for long stays here and there, then moving again as my sails again warranted. Felt it was a great adventure as I became intimately aware of the differences and similarities across our nation. -- barbara
Posted by: barbara | January 05, 2013 at 07:43 AM
Barbara: Yes, that is a fascinating look at the ex-pat life, which we led in Germany and Switzerland for 14 years. I don't know enough about the U.S., especially the South. Our travels have been mostly in foreign countries. When we travel in the U.S. it is for business or to visit friends and family. We have lived in the west, the east and the midwest, never in the south.
Posted by: Hattie | January 05, 2013 at 10:06 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Bolivar
Posted by: Brandon | January 06, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Wisewebwoman, Marja-Leena: This was the paseo, where everyone walks out in the evening, which seems to be a universal Latin custom.
Kay: Even Honolulu is too crowded for me. Singapore would drive me nuts. And I would not live in Equador, because ex-pat life does not appeal to me, not after having been a foreigner for 15 years.
Brandon: Gran Hotel Bolivar is a grand old lady who has had her day, but she is still pretty nice.
Posted by: Hattie | January 07, 2013 at 10:26 AM