Hey, I'm on the SG site for the first time in many years. How about that? Anyone still following me?
Uruguay HIghlights
Okay, so we've been back from Uruguay for a little while now. Here's the "short version" (I bore only my family with the long version) of what we got up to:
(the micro version would be, by the way: saw some pretty buildings, nice beaches, encountered some genuinely friendly people, heard some wonderful music and then went home)
Highlight the first: The trip...
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Okay, so we've been back from Uruguay for a little while now. Here's the "short version" (I bore only my family with the long version) of what we got up to:
(the micro version would be, by the way: saw some pretty buildings, nice beaches, encountered some genuinely friendly people, heard some wonderful music and then went home)
Highlight the first: The trip...
Read More
I don't mind you coming here and wasting all of my time. In fact, I think you're just what I needed.
Hey, I updated my profile for the first time in seven years!
And Paraguay is treating us real well. As in China, we're attempting to take one domestic overnight trip each month (aside from the long international trips we take when time permits). Have visited the small towns of Aregua and Caacupe. It's great fun... reminds me a bit of the round-the-world thing I did in 2006... there isn't a guidebook for most of the places around...
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I'm in Paraguay.
Years have gone by since the last update to this blog. Um... I've moved on from China and am now in Paraguay. I like it here. Wine is cheap, and olives too. Yum.
Anyone here in South America?
Years have gone by since the last update to this blog. Um... I've moved on from China and am now in Paraguay. I like it here. Wine is cheap, and olives too. Yum.
Anyone here in South America?
pinyon:
Good luck on your relocation! I've been interested in traveling to S America for a while now. I hope you share some of your experiences!
watchsmart:
Hey hey. So here's something I just wrote in the Travel and Relocation group here on SG. What the heck, I'll repost it here, but yeah, I will try to write a few comments here on the blog now and then:
.....
My partner (female) and I spent many years living and traveling in Asia so I guess I compare South America to THAT a bit more than I ought to, but here's some observations:
1. Visiting Paraguay is still something like "falling off the map," like Pico Iyer described it in his mid-90s book. Not a lot of visitors here, not a lot of the usual things to see, and I am lead to believe that the country is empty empty empty outside of the capital.
2. The capital here has its charm. It has a crumbling centre, one large slum and a quite affluent suburban zone. There are a few fine restaurants and (I've been told) a few decent clubs and bars. We live in the centre. A highlight are Sunday afternoon walks. The place is shut up completely at that time; all the shops and restaurants are closed, the streets are free of pedestrians and cars. Last weekend we spied only a group of people getting ballroom dancing (or something) lessons in a public square, and a group of public service minded teenagers repainting crosswalks. Going only by the scene on weekends, one would think this is town of a few thousand, rather than 1.5 million.
3. I do some ESL tutoring by the hour. My partner works a job with a western firm. There is a bit of ESL work, but it is low paying. This isn't a place for work, but people DO like to retire here because one can get permanent residence without having a job just by being patient and doing the requisite paperwork.
4. It's a cheap place to live. Our two bedroom apt. costs about three hundred dollars a month. We endlessly compare prices to our time in China before coming here. And some things are even cheaper than they were in China and a list is forming: Argentinian wine, olives, papaya, bread, cheese. Everything is cheaper (much cheaper) than North America of course.
5. Starting this coming weekend we are going to start exploring the country side. Just for weekend overnight things 'cause we have to work... but we're excited about it. The enjoyableness of that will be a big factor in how we like the country overall.
.....
My partner (female) and I spent many years living and traveling in Asia so I guess I compare South America to THAT a bit more than I ought to, but here's some observations:
1. Visiting Paraguay is still something like "falling off the map," like Pico Iyer described it in his mid-90s book. Not a lot of visitors here, not a lot of the usual things to see, and I am lead to believe that the country is empty empty empty outside of the capital.
2. The capital here has its charm. It has a crumbling centre, one large slum and a quite affluent suburban zone. There are a few fine restaurants and (I've been told) a few decent clubs and bars. We live in the centre. A highlight are Sunday afternoon walks. The place is shut up completely at that time; all the shops and restaurants are closed, the streets are free of pedestrians and cars. Last weekend we spied only a group of people getting ballroom dancing (or something) lessons in a public square, and a group of public service minded teenagers repainting crosswalks. Going only by the scene on weekends, one would think this is town of a few thousand, rather than 1.5 million.
3. I do some ESL tutoring by the hour. My partner works a job with a western firm. There is a bit of ESL work, but it is low paying. This isn't a place for work, but people DO like to retire here because one can get permanent residence without having a job just by being patient and doing the requisite paperwork.
4. It's a cheap place to live. Our two bedroom apt. costs about three hundred dollars a month. We endlessly compare prices to our time in China before coming here. And some things are even cheaper than they were in China and a list is forming: Argentinian wine, olives, papaya, bread, cheese. Everything is cheaper (much cheaper) than North America of course.
5. Starting this coming weekend we are going to start exploring the country side. Just for weekend overnight things 'cause we have to work... but we're excited about it. The enjoyableness of that will be a big factor in how we like the country overall.
Okay here's your daily Dharma for October 26, 2010:
"The kind of people we truly must meet
are people who we will long for.
Once in a while, we must meet those who,
whether at our sides, or separated from us,
cause a wave off affection to undulate within.
if we are not able to meet, even in the midst of our intense longing,
a...
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"The kind of people we truly must meet
are people who we will long for.
Once in a while, we must meet those who,
whether at our sides, or separated from us,
cause a wave off affection to undulate within.
if we are not able to meet, even in the midst of our intense longing,
a...
Read More
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
nutshell:
A Canadian in China? Must be Mordeth13 :o
watchsmart:
Actually, I'm a Canadian in Paraguay now. I've moved on!
watchsmart:
Pictures from the last trip!
Not that anyone missed me, but I was away traveling for the last month. My partner and I went to The Philippines. We had a nice time... most of our trip was spent on the (quite) large island of Palawan in the far west of the country. That place is a bit more undeveloped and "off the beaten track" than the rest of the Philippines....
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I'm well. I'm working now. In China. The job isn't great though. This school is poorly managed. The principal is really a "below average intelligence" sort of fellow. So I run up against some headache-inducing stuff now and then. But I'll manage. See, in Korea I always used to just do my best given the circumstances. So I shall do that here too. I mean,...
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Have found, meanwhile, a tutor in Mandarin and have made some stuttering first steps in that regard.
Have found also a decent and cheap apartment. Had a plumber in this morning for some little repairs. Am very happy with my new digs. Lady and I went to the just-opened Ikea. The second largest Ikea in the world.... and largest in Asia. But that just means...
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Have found also a decent and cheap apartment. Had a plumber in this morning for some little repairs. Am very happy with my new digs. Lady and I went to the just-opened Ikea. The second largest Ikea in the world.... and largest in Asia. But that just means...
Read More
Here I am in China. I'm up in the dusty North-east with my lady. My employers screwed up the visa stuff, so I'm sort of... unemployed. But it's all good, soon enough I will fly back to Canada for a week and a half I can pick up a visa.
I will not be paying for the flight... but it is 24 hours (17 in...
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I will not be paying for the flight... but it is 24 hours (17 in...
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sciencexxx:
Hey man, nice to meet ya. Thats pretty cool, where abouts in China are you? I'm into the whole driting scene, and I'm sponsored by a few grassroots companies in the States. My roommate mcalso is in Beijing now, but has been known to travel as far as Shanghai or Hong Kong for some very cool parties or events.
Maybe we can all hang out soon!
Maybe we can all hang out soon!
watchsmart:
I'm up in Shenyang. It's waaaaay off the usual trail.
But hanging out is great. Let's do that.
What do you do that is sponsored by "grassroots companies in the States"?
But hanging out is great. Let's do that.
What do you do that is sponsored by "grassroots companies in the States"?