How Life Changes

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It occurred to me that I have not posted for a while and when I went back to check how long it had been, well, I was astonished. There was a time when I was in so much pain that I posted often using my blog to work through those things that were weighing heavy on my mind. Writing when grief stricken was easy. Writing when happy and carefree is much more difficult.

Things have changed so much when I started the blog with my husband announcing that he might want a divorce, his years of gaslighting and lies in those intervening years when I was trying to save our marriage, discovery of his mistress, and the eventual divorce several years later. Then came the starting over… and dating…and finding out who I was. Life has changed since 2015 and I am so glad.

I remember when I first left Texas and went back to my home in California without the kids. There were days when I just felt like I could not go on. Thoughts that the world would be a better place without me flitted in and out of my consciousness and life without my kids seemed just seemed too barren and lonely to justify watering my own patch of ground. Then came COVID which brought a few of my children back to me and with them small flowers began to grow again in my life. This is not to say it was easy and it is not to imply that I was the greatest mom at that time. I wasn’t. I suffered through gut wrenching sadness, the inability to trust myself and my decisions, as well as a new painful financial reality. Although I tried not to let my own confusion impact my children, it did, which is something I regret to this day. But although I did not do my best during those difficult years; I did what I was able to at that time of my life and it was good enough. Not great but good enough and sometimes good enough is all that is needed for everyone to grow.

In 2023 I fulfilled a dream and moved to the coast of Oregon. I loved it there. The long walks along the beach, the sweater weather, the time to reflect and feel at peace. I traveled to distant places by myself and with others. I dated some lovely men and a few who weren’t. And although I might have stayed in a few of those “relationships” longer than I should have I am proud to say that I always knew that getting back to myself meant that I needed to put my needs above those of others when it became obvious that the actions of others were interrupting and intruding on my peace. Because after that brutal divorce, I realized that chaos no longer had a place in my life and that doing those things that brought me peace and maintaining that new found peace was truly what I was striving for. Peace became a priority and that impacted my life in a positive manner.

Fast forward to 2025 when I decided to sell my place and house sit around the world. I wanted…to depend on myself…find adventure…find that young girl I used to me who had balls and did not let fear hold her back. At sixty-four it was time for even more self discovery. But you know fate…it comes knocking when you least expect it, spins you around and sends you in a direction that you had not envisioned. After spending three months in Mexico I moved on to very rural Costa Rica with bugs as big as horses, no sofa, and no creature comforts of any kind. I had been talking to a man from the States for one and one-half months and asked him if he would like to come and visit me. He did and we have been together ever since.

Michael is the real deal. He is kind. He looks after me in a gentle but not bossy way. He is an amazing cook and likes nothing better than to please me with this creations. He shares patience and kindness with me in ways I have never known. He makes me think about things through a different lens which has made me a more thoughtful force. He loves me deeply and I love him back in the same way. He doesn’t disrupt my peace but adds to it. He makes sure that I am satisfied in ALL areas of our life. He builds me up and doesn’t tear me down. He supports me through those things that divorce cruelly inflicted and has helped to restore trust in relationships…something he never should have had to take on but did anyway. We have worked through difficult issues. We have danced on top of mountains. We have traveled together through Nicaragua, Panama, Chile, Peru and Mexico and liked each other more than when we started. This doesn’t mean we are not different. We are. Very. But we compromise and do what it takes to make our lives blend as seamlessly as possible. And now… we have bought a house together and have moved to Mexico.

The kids are doing well. K is doing well with her family of three. The Army is transferring them early next year and while isolated they will be in the same state as several of the relatives. Sometimes I am just amazed at all she accomplishes on a daily basis. W is living in Colorado and his daughter is going to college in Boulder. A is living in Texas and going to college. Even better he has found swing dance and has made new friends and is crafting a life for himself. While I feel guilty that he is navigating life alone with autism he is proving that he is more than capable. P is living with his partner J in CA and are creating a wonderful life together. So proud of him for diving in and going after what he wants. Gracie is in grad school and just began living with the boyfriend she has had since she was 15. Happy that she is confident to make her own way to what she desires in life.

Most importantly, I am still growing and changing. I am learning to speak Spanish and to live in a country where life moves at a slower pace. I no longer have a car and walk everywhere which lends itself to discovering life’s hidden treasures behind once closed doors. I am reveling in finding a love that is worth my time and effort knowing that I will get back the same in return. Love at this age is exciting and peaceful. It is dynamic, yet, soft and appreciative. And I am trusting again in so many different areas of my life…certainly that is a true miracle of this journey I have been on.

Yes, life has changed. It always does. We can fight it or accept it. We can learn from it or not. We can use change to challenge our perceptions or we can stay stuck where we are. Yet, whether we decide to embrace change or reject it; change always happens whether we want it to happen or not. But the most important thing I have learned during my 65 years is that life always gets better. Always. Sooner or later.

So please…never give up on yourself. Never give into despair. Life will offer new and different opportunities. Things will get better. Yes, it may take some time and even energy on your part. You may have to deliberately look for the sunshine and you may have to self-water your own life to help it flourish again. You may even have to be uncomfortable for a while exposing yourself to situations that will challenge you but that will ultimately help to repair your weary soul. Sometimes life it not easy but the changes you are forced into may turn out to be the blessings that you never saw coming.

My Neighborhood

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One of the things that surprised me when I moved here was the very modern architecture where I am living and the high standard of living. I had only visited Tijuana before where I visited neighborhoods with Barbarita which were composed of houses created by old garage doors so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I can guarantee you that this wasn’t it. Of course, Juriquilla is a suburb of Queretaro and most of it is shiny and new. Parks and plazas are everywhere. This doesn’t mean that there are not places in the city where housing is not in dire straits but since I believe many people think that Mexico only consists of sub-standard housing I wanted you to see the other side. So here are some pictures of the area and a few houses in different parts of the state too. I will miss this place. I will miss my neighborhood strolls. It is almost time to leave and I will leave a piece of my heart here. Enjoy!

Other houses in other parts of the state of Queretaro

Trying To Escape Expectations A/K/A Finding Happiness Traveling Alone

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I have been realizing that one of the issues I am facing while traveling alone is trying to be content while I am out and about discovering a new place solo. I wake up in the morning determined to take a bus here or there only to see my resolve melt when I face the logistics alone and then begin to question my life choices. It is a hard nut to crack the natural curiosity I feel vs the aloneness factor of traveling by myself.

All my life whenever I have traveled I have been with someone. A person with whom we could talk about what we had seen and done. A person with whom I can reminisce and look at pictures that were taken by and of us. I understand now that my expectations of having that person or those persons discovering places with me is impeding on my ability to be content just exploring a city by myself. Yes, I have been getting out on my own but without the joy that I feel when someone is with me. And I have to ask myself why?

I think the explanation is that deep in my gut feeling that travel is somehow incomplete or less satisfying without someone by your side. I know that is not reality. Plenty of people travel alone happily and that this made-up-in-my-head reality that does not have to be my truth. Yet, at this point it still is… and by holding on to this what should be outdated belief… I am only hurting myself. This feeling came to roost, yesterday when I felt that sense of disappointment. One of the things I love about this area is that throughout the city of Queretaro there are these beautifully painted vibrant pianos just sitting out in the streets for anyone to play. So I sat down and began to hit the keys as people gathered around to listen to me play my own music. They cheered when I was done. And I had no one there to film this little piece of my Queretaro history which led me to feel a sense of let down.

The Buddha taught that suffering often arises from unmet expectations, as they can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction in life. By recognizing and letting go of these expectations, individuals can reduce their suffering and find greater peace. But how does one do that when they are finding themself to be a disappointing traveling partner? One that lacks the excitement and ability to stretch themselves that they naturally have when with others?

I think it has to do with looking for those smaller moments of joy like I felt yesterday watching a child chase a balloon in the park. There was no expectation of seeing a child running and laughing it was just a moment that I enjoyed as it happened. I was expecting nothing but instead found gratitude in that moment that made me chuckle and smile. Or perhaps it has to do with just being content performing for others without having a video to accompany my own memory of that event. After all, a little over one hundred years ago that was unheard of.

In contemplating this topic and all the emotions I feel around it; I have come to the realization that there is only one solution. Get out more by myself. Challenge my incorrect beliefs to that I can find more of those ah-ha moments to be grateful for or that I have to experience ah-ha moments at all. And I need to take more pictures of the things I am witnessing and experiencing on my own. Yes, my memories and photos may be of a different caliber but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t just as precious as the ones I would have with someone standing by my side. I am alone on this journey and I can accept it for what it is and find those little moments to save in my own mind or I can continue to feel as if something is missing when it’s not! I prefer the first.

P.S. Just in case I haven’t made myself clear…I do realize that I am very fortunate to be able to travel and to have my health in order to do so. I know how things can turn on a dime and I am grateful. This is a post of how I am feeling at the exact moment I wrote it. Will I feel that way tomorrow…who knows? But it is okay to feel a multitude of feelings (often conflicting ones) at the same time and this is my truth at 2 pm on Monday and that it is up to me to change any doubts or negative thoughts that I might have. It lays squarely on my own shoulders.

I Love Mexico

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So, I have been in Mexico a little over a month and I am loving it here. The weather has been perfecto, I feel safe, and there is always something new to discover. The grocery stores in Juriquilla put the ones in the USA to shame. They are so clean you could eat off the floor. Uber costs me with tip about $3.50 per ride. The food is fantastic and fairly cheap. And thus far I have visited the Colonial Towns of San Miguel Allendende (right) and Bernal (left) both of which are charming in their own way. Barbarita (whose house and dogs I am looking after) has been busy arranging for her friends to babysit me and I have confess it has been wonderful to be looked after in such a loving and caring way. Thank you, Barbarita, and thank you to my new friends!

Since I have been in Mexico there are times I have floundered but mostly I feel as if I am flourishing…as if life is finally opening up to me and I am holding on tight as I direct the ride. I am taking Spanish classes twice a week. I don’t know what kind of superhero I thought I was but for some odd reason I just thought I would be fluent in Spanish within a month or two at the most. The joke’s on me and apparently on others too as I try my best to converse in Spanish. So far I have had two major gaffs. The first was this: I meant to ask a young woman how old she is but instead asked her how many buttholes she had. (Anos vs Anos with the little squiggle over the N) Who would have thought one little virgulilla could make such a difference! Then just this week, I called this wonderful woman named Conchita the word Cochinita which means a nasty-smelling pig like creature of a woman. Oops! Because of this, I am now watching these amazing cartoons everyday that teach Spanish using Spanish subtitles, then English and Spanish subtitles and then no subtitles at all. It is helpful to say the least. The program in on YouTube and it is called Learn Spanish With Simple Story. I can honestly say that all these cartoons are making me feel young at heart and improving my Spanish. Language or the lack of it is definitely the floundering part of life for me here in Mexico.

The second aspect of my floundering has come from having my Facebook account hacked and then Facebook banning me from the site. Every time I have tried to set up a new one they bad that too. Sometimes it is hard to be away from “home” and not be able to communicate with people who have touched my life in profound ways even though some of whom I have never met face to face. In addition, I decided I had to step back and put some distance between myself and a relationship that I treasure.

But the flourishing part of this adventure is what I am truly reveling in. Here I can make my own mistakes without comment. Here I am finding my confidence again by stepping out of my comfort zone and taking chances. Here I am allowing myself “to be” without worry about what any else thinks. And here is where the rubber meets the road to determine how effective I can be out on my own acting as my own advocate in situations that are challenging. And I am proud of how I have handled things that might make other squirm. I am finally living my life with no one to blame except myself on how it all turns out. In the past, I have always had someone else’s hand to hold to give me strength and confidence and now I have to look inward to find those things. Now, I hold my own hand. I am also working on crafting a legacy…one that will hopefully make my family proud.

Yes, I miss my friends and I miss you ( you know who YOU are) but I don’t miss myself anymore for I have finally found her and she is pretty cool.

Traveling solo at this age (64), living out of two small suitcases for long periods, is damn hard at times. You worry about your health, your ability to defend yourself, and if selling everything is an early sign of dementia. Yet, it can also be so rewarding as I look to myself for all that I desire and need. I suspect things will get tougher in Costa Rica and even harder in Colombia. But by then, I think that I will have learned that I can trust in myself enough that I will easily be able to find the courage to face whatever comes my way.

Screenshot

And if you are interesting in following my travel blog here it is: https://youshouldbeatravelingfool2.com

Mexico Turns Me Into A Socialite

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If you know me, you know I am a pretty quiet person who doesn’t really “DO” parties and the like. I tend to stay at home, live quietly, and rarely go out. To most people that sounds like a person who is a wall flower but that is not me either. As a former journalist, I can talk to anyone and make them feel at home. But just because I can talk to anyone doesn’t mean I am gregarious or comfortable being outgoing…I am not but because I can ask questions people mistake me as such. So imagine my great surprise that since I have been in Queretaro I have become a MAJOR socialite.

To be fair, Barbarita took it upon herself to ask all her friends to check in on me and to invite me to different social situations. To say that her friends have followed her request would be a horrible understatement…and I am exhausted… but having fun. And I can say that I have learned that being a socialite, while exciting, is also hard work! LOL!

This past week, on Wednesday, I went and volunteered at the distribution center. On Thursday, B invited me to go into historic Queretaro and visit the sites. Then I was invited to dinner.

Thursday B invited me to girls coffee and grocery shopping afterwards. I got home and got a text from a lovely couple who invited me to dinner that night.

Friday, I was busy with another friend and when went out on a set-up date (don’t ask!). Today, two lovely ladies came over and taught me to make my first true Mexican dish from scratch…sopas. They spent the afternoon teaching me Spanish while I attempted to teach them English and it was a great way to spend the afternoon..

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment ($53 USA for exam, X-rays and having a cavity filled) On Tuesday and Thursday I have my Spanish lessons. Wednesday is working at the distribution center. And several other social invitations for next week await. While I can say with all honesty that this is not the “”usual” me; I will let you in on a little secret. Before I came to Mexico, I made myself a promise that I would try to say “YES” to anything asked of me and so far that is working out great. I am seeing so much and getting to know so many friendly people who are extremely kind and have taken this “gringa” under their wings. I have found that people on the whole are kind and compassionate and as a single woman housesitting throughout the world I find that I really appreciate this “socialite” role I have been thrust into thanks to Barbarita and her family. Adios Amigos!

Getting To Know You Getting To Know All About You

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In the week that I have been here I have gotten to” know ” quite a few people thanks to Barbarita and James. Everyone has been so kind and nice to me even though my Spanish is woefully Malo. But I keep trying to improve so I think they appreciate that I am willing to try. In fact, I have found in my travels that even if you know just a few words in another language and you are visiting for a short time that people appreciate the effort of showing them that you respect their culture or area enough to try to reach out. In this vein, I have decided to take Spanish lessons in an attempt to “fit in” a little more. It will be a challenge due to my age and the fact that everyone tells me that Mexican Spanish is a little different from Peruvian Spanish which is a tad different from Costa Rican Spanish; but I am excited to learn more and to be able to communicate with others.

Learning a new language is so much easier these days than say 20 years ago. This morning I watched Chicken Little in Mexican Spanish on Lingopie. I have also bought several children’s books from New 2 You (the second hand store in which I will be volunteering) in hopes that it will help me learn. It has been quite fun going back to my childhood to revisit stories that I once knew and that my parents read to me when I was a small child. It makes my insides smile.

Saturday, I attended a party to welcome me to Mexico and to thank the volunteers who work at the store. It was thrown by Barbarita and I met many people who were kind and welcoming. In fact, two of the ladies, one of whom is a great cook have offered to come over during the week to break bread and learn each other’s respective languages. Gabby (who speaks no English) and I had a good time trying to talk to one another through hand gestures and when the going got rough using a translator. She is going to make Sopas for me next week and I am so excited about it. Several other ladies offered to make dinner dates and to go walking together in the mornings. I am excited to get to know these soon to be friends.

Deciding to make the move and experience to different countries at my age has been an interesting adventure. Yet, I can say that I truly believe that the love and acceptance I will find on my travels, while unexpected, will be a gift that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to get to know various cultures, geographies, and people as I make my way to exciting and unexpected places. Best of all, as I learn Spanish it will open even more doors of opportunity and friendship as I learn to connect with people who value connection and mutual understanding just as I do.

Adios por ahora

Great Food Around The World

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I have to say that I have had some very good food in my travels. Most were fairly inexpensive food choices but a few came at quite a cost. I have found that I usually prefer the cheap eats except when it comes to anything YAK….YUCK!

The best meal that comes to mind was had in a small village in Thailand. We had been treking when I lost the lubricating fluid in my knees. Every step that I took ground bone on bone and it was excruciating. I walked one step at a time with tears rolling down my face. It got so bad that the guide, Boone, had his other guide take everyone else up ahead to the small village we would be staying in that night. Meanwhile, Boone, carried my pack and stayed with me as I hobbled along. Finally, when we arrived there was an amazing dinner awaiting. It was fresh vegetables and tofu. Yep, that is it. My best meal ever. I don’t know if it was because I was so relieved to get to the huts that I was intensely grateful for everything or if I was just starving but never had a plate looked so inviting.

While we were in Thailand this past April I visited another restaurant and also took a cooking class from them. The name of the place is the Blue Elephant and the restaurant is located in the former governors mansion. We had a multi-course dinner that was fit for kings. It consisted of Avocado Black Diamond Scallops, Red Curry, Tiger Prawns and Eggplant Salad and some other memorable taste marvels. And the decor was just beautiful.

The best Enchiladas I have ever eaten was in The Netherlands. The place was on the coast of the country in the town of Scheveningen. I have long ago forgotten the name of the place but I can still remember their cream cheese enchiladas like it was yesterday. It was a gastronomic highlight to my trip. However, today I was taken to a place that the people I am housesitting love and I can say without a doubt best Mexican food I have ever eaten. The roadside restaurant is called Tacos Vias and it’s on the road to Bernal. You choose whether you want blue (Azul) tacos or blanco (white) masa. The lady scoops a bit of dough, pats it into shape and then throws it on the grill. You then take the plate have them put the topping on. I had beans and cheese. Then added meat, potatoes, and carrots cooked in a sauce and then laid on a nice bit of mango and cucumber salsa. Here’s a look:

A big surprise to me in my food experiences was when I ate at the Pingvinen in Bergen, Norway. Reindeer stew with salted lamb, sausage and root veggies was a new taste that my palate was not sure about while their cured reindeer marinated in lingonberries and gin was a real treat. One thing I can say was that I believed the food that was served was traditional and could be found in the coldest and smallest of villages throughout the country.

Bergen had a surprising number of fantastic places to eat including Kogi which I can honestly say had the best Korean food I have ever eaten including what I ate in Korea. The bulgogi was stupendous as was the pa-jeon. The owner was extremely friendly and gave me the recipe for her secret sauce and the dishes I sampled were divine. There was also a Burmese restaurant that we stumbled upon called Mandalay Sushi and Burmese. (Pics-Cured Reindeer, Lapskaus Stew, Brown Cheese dessert, and the menu from Pingvinen and Pajeon from Kogi in top left corner)

Places I have eaten have given me inspiration for my own cooking but nothing as much as street food in various countries. I love the corn on the cob in 12 different flavors that you find in China. This man peddling his food in the water town of  Zhouzhuang pulled the best sweet potato I have ever had off of his cart and handed it to me all hot and steamy. I also contributed to that pile of eggs sitting outside the two seater hole-in-the-wall that we ate at.

The best desserts I ever ate were in Prague and for the life of me I cannot tell you the name of of the place but it was in the historic downtown about two blocks from the Clocktower. Maybe if you are lucky you can read the napkin which I cannot. The last picture is the fabulous bread pudding served at St. Orres on the California coast up by Gualala. This Russian inspired restaurant is one of the most beautiful on the coast and the food is always great. Look at these delights and just drool.

Some of the drinks that stand out in mind include a particular blueberry cream smash found at the Bergens Tidende but for great drinks AND spectacular scenery I still believe that you can’t beat Nepenthe Restaurant off Highway One at Big Sir, California. Taking in the view with a lovely drink in your hand makes you believe that all is well with the world.

Oh and I guess this would not be complete with chocolate. Ethel M in Las Vegas is hands down my favorite chocolatier but a close second has got to Lakrids by Bulow Salty Caramel Chocolate Coated Licorice. I never particularly liked licorice until I tasted these dolls! Their Passion Fruit White Chocolate Coated Licorice is even better! (You can order Lakrids on Amazon!)

So there you have it. Some of my most memorable places I have eaten. I hope while I am here in Mexico to be able to add to this list. My plan is to take a cooking class while I am here in order to learn a bit more about what makes this country so spicy and delicioso.

Out And About

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It’s been a busy 24 hours. Last night Barbarita took me to a birthday party and I can truly say that I had a blast and that the Mexican people know how to celebrate with a sense of love and appreciation that I have rarely witnessed. I was welcomed with open gracious arms and it is something I will not soon forget. A big thank you to Magda and her husband for showing me such a good time.

I am relieved to say that I went to the doctor today and will be having my colonoscopy next Monday. My health has been a concern since at the end of April when I received the results of my Cologuard test which said “higher than average chance of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. See a doctor.” Well, I had been trying to see a doctor in the USA and in Oregon, Tennessee, Michigan and Nevada I was told that scheduling for a colonoscopy was at least three months out and because I had no permanent address the chances of me getting one were slim to none. So today I went to a highly recommended specialist here in Mexico that Barbarita found. He charged me $50 for an office visit and scheduled the colonoscopy for a week later. The total cost for the procedure including anesthesia and IV will be $404. Needless, to say I am relieved. An even bigger plus is that the two hospitals I have visited here are super modern and beautiful. Here are a couple of pictures.

Today, prior to the appointment Barbarita took me grocery shopping. The markets here are beautiful, clean, and mostly much cheaper than in the States. A bought a fresh cantaloupe juice for $1 and a candy bar for less than a dollar. Fruits and veggies are plentiful and inexpensive. Plus they have plenty of gluten-free items for sale. See what you think for yourself:

I am so happy to be in Mexico at the present time. I feel safe and happy here. I cannot tell you how glad I am to be out of Orangeland for the time being. A big thanks to Barbarita and James for making sure I land on my feet, introducing me around, helping me with Spanish and letting me stay with them and house sit for them over the next several months. It couldn’t have come at a better time.

I leave you with a picture of the main house, my little private casita and the courtyard on this beautiful sunny day.

The Embarrassment Of Trying To Learn A New Language At My Age

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So I have arrived in Queretaro, Mexico, and thus far I am loving it. It is different than I imagined. First of all it is in the mountains which at this time of the year are lush and green. I am quite high in the mountains, which as it turns out, gave me a headache from the resulting altitude sickness from living up so high. But the beauty of the mountains is worth the price of a few Tylenol. There is also a Dennys, Costco, Walmart and HEB store here. While these businesses makes life easy it also makes me feel as if I am living back in the USA which is what I am trying to get away from. All I can say is thank goodness for the authentic Mexican taco stands with their slabs of fire grilled meat which is hand-sliced with a knife that is big enough that Crocodile Dundee would be proud to carry one. Best of all, I discovered a new favorite way to eat tacos…topped with fresh pineapple and melted cheese. YUMMMMM!

Thus far it has been raining constantly partly due to the rainy season and also the outer band of Hurricane Eric which came ashore. My little casita outside the main house is starting to leak a bit of water through the ceiling. I discovered this after crawling into a wet bed but it is really a minor inconvenience and not a major problem. I love the neighborhood that I am in and am enjoying the hospitality of Barbarita’s family before they leave for the United States.

Prior to arriving in Mexico, I had been listening to Lingopie and taking APP Spanish lessons. And while it has helped me to be able to pick out words here and there I find that I am frustrated with myself that learning a new language is not easier for me. I know that at 64 yo just remembering to tie your shoe laces is a challenge. Yet, trying to come up with words that you have looked at a zillion times to say at the appropriate time has proved to be amazingly difficult compared to said laces. Yesterday to my great embarrassment I accidentally asked a young woman “How many buttholes do you have instead of how old are you?” Anos vs Ano really can be a major fax pas if not used and pronounced correctly. At this point my Spanish is so bad that I am afraid of creating an international incident if I open my mouth. And while I am trying so hard to learn this beautiful language I find that my 64 yo brain just does not want to cooperate.

The other day I accompanied my host/friend Barbarita to the hospital. She is an incredible Palliative Care nurse who is working on her PhD. She also started a second hand store to provide scholarships for health care professionals wanting to learn about hospice. She is such an inspiration and I can hardly wait to start working in the store. Anyway, back to the hospital…it was amazing. Here are just a few pictures. It puts most United States hospitals to shame.

So there we go. My first 48 hours in Juriquilla. I am loving it, learning from it, and am excited to have this chance to spend time in a place for more than just the typical two week vacation. And maybe, with a little luck I will not make a complete fool out of myself and contribute to the “ignorant American” stereotype that one often finds when Americans travel. At the least, I promise I will try really hard not to cause any diplomatic issues between our two countries.