Ciambella

After 42 years, echoes of old voices can still be heard when one listens carefully.

The once golden state is now a self-destructive state. Time to leave.

Lived over a waterway on a land where hurricane, alligators, and crocodiles were parts and parcels of life. Travelled the Americas, their sovereign states and territories, the Caribbeans, and other far-flung lands.

Engulfed in rich history, sweet tea, Southern hospitality, and hurricane preparedness. Enjoyed annual road trips across North America.

A beautiful state occupied by cold and haughty residents

You can go home again, but you might not want to stay.

With spouse, spent 3 months on a cargo ship as the only two passengers voyaging from Spain to Chile and return. A near miss with pirates in Pacific Ocean off Peru/Chile/Ecuador. Upon returning to tierra firme, tried to learn Castilian Spanish but ended up exploring the region while eating pintxos and drinking txakoli instead.

Bought, renovated, and lived in an 800-year-old stone house. Immersed in local culture, travelled throughout Europe, and experienced true contentment with every sunrise.

Bliss was living the island life two months each year.

Worked hard and planned carefully for the future. Experienced both the depth of darkness and the height of happiness. At the most crucial time, the meaning of the old Yiddish adage "Mann tracht un Gott lacht" became blindingly clear. Chucked the job, liquidated all assets, moved overseas.

Completed undergrad. A few months into graduate school, unintentionally left behind the country and everything I knew to jump face-first into a new world with neither support nor a safety net.

First teaching job