So how's that retirement working out?

Ted. I just finished reading an article in today’s Wall Street Journal entitled “The End of Retirement.” It was written by a 42 year-old columnist named John D. Stoll who concludes that “The conventional wisdom – save enough to retire at age 65 – won’t work for the generation starting their careers today.”

Mr. Stoll talks at length about how long he will live and the amount of money he will need at retirement. He has a valid argument for working as long as possible and concludes with his personal decision to continue funding his 401(k) for 25 more years, “not so I can stop working,” he adds, “but so that I have options.”

I retired shortly after my 64^th birthday and have not worked (for money) for three years now. Certainly no expert on the topic of retirement, I have had dozens, maybe even hundreds of conversations with folks from 18 to 88 in many countries on the subject of retirement. These chats invariably begin with my describing our current lifestyle. This spurs people to describe their retirement, or dreams, should they be younger. It is rare for someone to say that they will never stop working. By the way, my 88 year-old friend, Herb still works as a bailiff (walker and all!).

My conclusion from my many discussions is that most people are concerned with having plenty of money and good health in their last quarter of life. But they don’t give enough thought to having a reason to live.

My father, who will be 90 this August, lives in a very nice independent living apartment complex for seniors. The residents have to be well off to afford this place. However, many of his neighbors lead lonely, empty lives consisting of eating, watching TV, surfing the internet and sleeping. Their health deteriorates slowly and depression is common. Dad, who remains very active, listens to all of the grumbling about kids who never visit and longing for spouses and friends who have passed away. He says he has to fight being dragged down by all of the negative talk around him.

The lifestyle that Judy and I have chosen for this passage in our lives is not one well suited to most folks we know. Right now, we plan to go as long as our health permits and hope that we don't outlive our money. My only advice to those contemplating retirement is that they spend time considering the new life to which they will be moving. If they do not have a clear vision yet, it may be better to keep working during a period of discernment.

I understand that health and money are important, but I have come to believe that for each of us, young and old, working or not, the greatest challenge is to have a purpose to our life.

A photo of me taken by my friend of 50 years and amateur photographer, George who is battling 3 forms of cancer.

6 places to which I'll not rush back

Ted. As our niece, Dilyana once said, no place is perfect. We don’t typically dwell on the negatives of the places that we visit. However, some places are less perfect than others. Maybe they’re overrated, or simply over crowded. In any event, here is a list, in alphabetical order, of places we have visited over the past three years to which I am in no hurry to return.

·      Asheville, NC

We had fond memories of this little Appalachian town so looked forward to our month there. Alas, it seems to have become the place where wealthy boomers go to die. We met lots of folks rushing from organic markets to yoga classes, all the while busily telling us how relaxing Asheville is. Sure, the town has a beautiful setting, but the wonderful hiking trails were absolutely packed.

·      Barcelona, Spain

I know – it’s everyone’s favorite town in Spain. That’s my problem with it; everyone is there when I go there. It’s a classic example of a town being loved to death. There are so many other wonderful places in Spain to visit that I plan to only return to this town to catch repositioning cruises home.

·      Buenos Aires, Argentina

100 years ago, this must have been a glorious place, but today it is a town in tatters. The strongest memory for me is the constant chirp of the moneychangers saying “Cambio, cambio.” And with a new government, the currency has crashed again. Yes, we had a memorable steak dinner there but I did not like being one of the 1% that could afford it.

·      Jackson, Wyoming

This is another place, for which I had fond memories. But, as we have heard, the billionaires are pushing the millionaires out. The Tetons are majestic and the parents of a friend of ours live here but I still see it as a capital of conspicuous consumption.

·      Nassau, Bahamas

Admittedly, we were only here for 8 hours but that was enough. No, we didn’t visit one of the massive resorts – just the town. To quote Gertrude Stein, “There is no there there!”

·      Prince Edward Island, Canada

“Lovely mussels and Anne of Green Gables;” excuse me while I yawn.  Miles of potato fields and red sand beaches are no longer calling my name.

·      Vancouver, Canada

We loved British Columbia and hope to return soon but we won’t linger in the largest city. It has wonderful museums and a great setting but that’s not worth having to deal with hundreds of homeless Canadians and thousands of millionaire Chinese.

As we plan our travels, we consider two lists; one is of places we wish to visit for the first time, and a second is of places to which we want to return. The first list is getting shorter. For instance, next year we plan to visit Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. Unfortunately, the second list is getting longer which is why we will return to Missoula, Montana next summer. 

Our prayer is that our health remains good so that we can work on both lists. Similarly, our only wish for you, dear readers is the best of health for you and your families in 2020.

Quote du Jour

 “If the Internet were everything it is cracked up to be, we would all stay home and be brilliantly witty and insightful. Yet with so much contradictory information available, there is more reason to travel than ever before: to look closer, to dig deeper, to sort the authentic from the fake; to verify, to smell, to touch, to taste, to hear, and sometimes – importantly – to suffer the effects of this curiosity”

- Paul Theroux, from The Last Train to Zona Verde

Oaxaca Redux

Judy. When we were in Oaxaca two years ago, a woman at our church there said, “Oh, you’ll be back.” We didn’t think so. After all, there are so many other places in Mexico and Latin America to see.

Yet here we are.

It was Ted’s idea, and I balked, but he reminded me that we’re familiar with the city, and have friends, and a church home.  Besides, we’d just rented the apartment in Missoula again for a month next summer, so we’d already made plans to return to a favorite place. So I caved, and I’m so glad.

Just before our arrival in 2017, the state of Oaxaca experienced a major earthquake. You may remember our comments and photos about the damage and the buildings we weren’t allowed to enter till they were checked for safety. What a difference two years makes!

Most of the damage has been or is being repaired. Sidewalks are more even, and several of our favorite cafes and restaurants have expanded. Our little hot chocolate shop is now a full café, and Nanixhe, the fabulous hole-in-the-wall bar and restaurant has expanded from three tables to a full two-room establishment. The theatres are open again, and Ted and I attended a free symphony concert in the historical Teatro Macedonia Alcalá. 

Beethoven concert at El Teatro Macedonio Alcalá

A Chinese/Japanese-themed wedding 

Traditional wedding parade

Saturdays in the plaza Santo Domingo are full of weddings and the parades, both traditional and unusual, and Sundays in the Zocalo there are free concerts.

Dancing to a youth band at the Zocalo

Dancers on 20 Nov. Day

This time we’re staying on a different side of the city in a cottage part of a compound. Our young hostess, Angela, lives on the premises, and, when she’s not working, she’s in the patio garden trimming trees, watering plants, and picking bananas.  

Our patio

We have a different mercado—Mercado IV Centurio. It’s not as big or as good as Merced was, but there’s a grocery store 10 minutes walk from us that fills in the gaps.

The teachers at Teotitlán

Ted is teaching at En Via again, in a different village, but I have chosen not to. Sometimes I help in the office, and I had hoped to work with the women who take out micro loans, but that didn't work out. Instead, I’m focusing on my Spanish, taking classes and attending intercambios. My Spanish teacher Sandra is sweet and patient. Once a week we spend an hour and a half in total immersion together, then Anash, from Chicago, joins us for an hour of Spanish conversation. I’m amazed that we can discuss music and clothing, our families and all kinds of things. Anash and I struggle, but eventually get things out. 

Maestra Sandra & Anash

On Fridays and Saturdays I do my best to chat with Spanish speakers, then listen to and correct their English. I’ve met some wonderful folks, both English and Spanish speakers. Diego wants to be a film director in Mexico, and Gregorio and I encouraged him during our exchange. Nancy is from Ottawa, and has joined us in several outings.  

Maybe I'll be in one of Diego's films

And, of course, there’s Javier, the owner of Nanixhe. He was our first visit after our arrival a few weeks ago. Now we have lunch most Mondays and we drop by the restaurant at least one day a week. 

Lunch with Javier

That’s where we met Emmanuel, his friend, and now ours. One night Javier planned to close because he had an opportunity to do a “Taste of Oaxaca,” event that would help him publicize the restaurant. Ted, Emmanuel, and I jumped in and volunteered to keep it open. Javier gave the guys a quick cooking lesson, and Olga, the main waitress, helped them if they had a question. I washed dishes, squeezed limes, ran food, and cleared tables. Fortunately, it was slow, and all the patrons cleaned their plates. Javier was pleased, we had fun, and now Ted knows how to make some great Isthmus comida! 

My boss, and mesera extraordinaria, Olga

Emmanuel and Ted show of their garnachas

Holy Trinity, the tiny Episcopal Church we attend (usually around a dozen folks) has been most welcoming again. We’ve been put to work, Ted by passing the collection plate and moving furniture and I by lay reading. A couple of

The altar in Advent

Sundays I sang with a trio. On Thanksgiving, Fr. Bruce took those of us who attended the service to a real Thanksgiving feast at a nearby restaurant. Ted had to teach, but I brought him some turkey, dressing, potatoes, and gravy.

The gang at Thanksgiving

I’ve returned to Prana Yoga, still led by Tonio, one of my favorite yoga teachers.

And this year

Two years ago with Tonio

We’ve gone back to old restaurants and discovered an amazing coffee shop, Cafebre. I love cold brew, and they make a special one with chocolate and almond flavoring. Ted says their in-house roasted coffee is the best.

Cafebre

The Oaxaca Lending Library, an English- and Spanish-language library, has set up hikes during the winter months. We went on several of those, as well as one we did with Ted’s co-teachers, with whom we’ve spent some time.

You never know what you'll see on a hike

Kathy, the accompanist at church, and I attended a free concert of the music of Álvaro Carrio, a famous Mexican composer (from Oaxaca), performed by some of Mexico’s most famous singers. It took place in the huge Auditorio Guelaguetza, the site of a famous dance festival in the summer.

The interior of the massive Auditorio Guelaguetza

One morning Ted and I walked an hour to the University to speak in English with a class of language majors. Our friend Tom from church teaches it, and we had a lovely hour and a half with young people, listening them talk about their lives and their dreams. 


The free music and art is everywhere, and the food is still delicious. Weather is warm during the day and cool at night. People are kind and living is inexpensive. We’ve made more friends and been reminded that simple living is best.

My guess is that we’ll be back.