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Are You A Chicken Little ?

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worleyld

Now that word has gotten out among my family and friends that I am planning on moving to Belize and becoming an Expatriate, everyone is asking “WHY”. Some are calling me “Chicken Little”, or say I am being “Unpatriotic”. I thought my answers to their scoldings might help some of you who have run up against the same comment, or soon will when news gets out of your plans to expatriate.

They ask;
“Q”    “Why Belize?”

“A”    I understand a little bit of several languages but, do not speak enough of any to feel comfortable elsewhere.

“Q”    You will be so far away wonÂ’t you miss us?

“A”    Sure, but I will only be an hour or so from the airport, then only a 2 hour flight back to the states.

“Q”    “What about your love for good Pizza?”

“A”    They have Pizza places, in fact Katz30 (a member of this forum group) and her sons have a Pizza place just down the road from where I intend to settle.

“Q”     “What about you and all the Mosquitoes and other bugs?”

“A”    I have been advised (on this forum) that all the Lotions that work for me are readily available there.

“Q”    “IsnÂ’t Belize a backward third world country, with none  of the normal creature comforts of life?”

“A”    No. They have most everything you could need available,  Fans, Air conditioners, Kitchen cookware and utensils, Laundry equipment, Soaps, Shampoos, Appropriate Clothing, Electronics, etcÂ… If they can't get it for you you probable don't need it anyway.

“Q”    “What about your love for building things with your hands?”

“A”    Belize has everything I need to build a house, a wood project, or whatever. And if I run out of ideas, I can learn a new craft or trade from the locals.

“Q”    “What will you do? WonÂ’t you get bored or lonely?”

“A”    There is more to do then I will ever get to, Hiking, Backpacking, Cave Exploration, Fishing, Snorkeling, Sailing, Jungle Exploration, poking around ancient Mayan Ruins, etcÂ…. The Local people are very friendly and welcoming, glad to meet you and eager to show you around their corner of paradise and introduce you to their culture and history.

“Q”    “Ok but wonÂ’t you miss being around Americans?”

“A”    Probably not, but if I do there is a huge Expatriate population all over the country, Including People from all corners of the globe; Americans, Canadians, Germans, Europeans, Africans, Asians, Russians, etcÂ… the Realtor I have been corresponding with is from Missouri and the inspiration and advice for this trip was from a New England expatriate.

“Q”    “What about the Government, isnÂ’t it corrupt and unstable?”

“A”    No more than the US or any other Government. Theirs Government is based on the English Colonial System. Corruption is worldwide (look at the US Senators). Stability is relative. Their economy is probably more stable than ours in the US. No worries about your 401 tanking, housing bubbles, wall street and mega banks collapsing, maxing out your credit keeping up with the Joneses all just to have your company pillage your retirement program, lay you off and go under.

I guess bottom line is itÂ’s a Safe, Friendly, Welcoming, and Beautiful place to
Relax and Decompress after a life time in the Rat Race we all live.
Actually I think all their objection and questions stem from their
Jealousy and frustration that they to are not
Brave enough to take the Plung.
Let me know if these answers help.
I look forward to getting the chance to share a Pizza with you all someday in Belize!

2011 looks like the year for Me!
How About YOU!
Leonard

ChandlerB

Those were great answers to questions that I know we will get once we mention our future plans to our family.  I am sure I will use some of those answers.  Good luck on your journey.  I wish I were going now.

Chandler B.(Cindy Lou Who)

katz30

Sounds about right to Lenard. Let me know if you want to see land around Bullet Tree as we specialize in this area, also have a nice subdivision with 1 acre lot available. Let me know when you reach and we will have a long talk. #670-6403 Mary

worleyld

Thanks Mary, I will take you up on that.
Leonard

Belizean@heart

Amen to that! It looks like it will be 2012 before we make it to Belize for good. We had such a nice trip on October 2010. We stayed at Rosa's place in San Ignacio. It's a good place to hang out. Tony the owner is from the states and his mom is there now and makes custom doors. We met two single individuals who just packed it up and came. They stayed at Rosa's and then ventured out every day to decide what they wanted to do. Now both of them have found places that suit them. They sound quite happy. We did a lot of looking around as if we lived there. (Shopping, food, restaurants, the people etc.) We found the people to be open minded and multi cultural. Not judgmental at all. We went to a bar we heard about on Sunday (near Bullet Tree) to watch the game and meet some Expats. Wound up going with a couple to see their home who had started out with a shipping cube and build a house around it. It was lovely with the river behind. Also the varieties of vegetation were fantastic. If you want to have a stress free and healthy life this seems the only way to go.

We have started cleaning out and preparing to sell and dispose of unnecessary items. I feel you can get almost anything you need in Belize. However I will be bringing quality linens and a mattress, if nothing else.

We already have family and friends who want to visit. So I donÂ’t think you are going to be lonely for your friends in the US. Especially after the cold nasty winter we have had this year.

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