Dave's Sketch Journal

What's it like living in a foreign country? What things will I miss? What benefits will I enjoy?

We are about to find out.

When we lived in China for just a few months it was a bit disconcerting that we couldn't read every sign or understand every conversation. While living in America I took that sort of stuff for granted. When the plane landed back in the U.S. I was reborn.

"Hey," I said to no one in particular, "I can read everything and understand the conversations around me."

(Which, by the way is not always an advantage. Impatient Atlanta traveler: "Get the !@#$ out of my way.")

I've lived in different parts of the United States: New York City for eight years, Hawaii fifteen, Sunnyvale California for two years. (Remember the Internet Gold Rush?)

In each move I noticed one very interesting truth:

It took me two years to genuinely feel a part of the local climate. (Your mileage may vary.)

When first moving to California, our phone didn't ring for months. On those early rainy winter nights we were lonely. But the vision that, within two years we'd be unplugging the phone for peace and quiet, got us through it.

So I wonder, will it be the same in a foreign country? A place where new friendships and a whole new language will need to be developed and learned.

So my bags are packed. All the necessities for modern living are here: Nikon camera and a MacBook. There is nothing else I need for staying in touch.

One advantage I can already see: Cheaper living.

Sign me up.

...dave
A car’s windshield is large but the rear view mirror is small because our past is not as important as our future.