I am a 58-year-old
American male and former military officer who has had the opportunity
to travel throughout the world. No, I never participated in any
war and am happy I haven’t. I was a PAO or Public Affairs Officer,
gallantly writing my way through enemy lines. I lived for a while
in Panama and Japan, but experienced brief visits to many other
countries. Some of these visits were on official business and others
were for pleasure. After leaving the military, I began to take longer
journeys on my own,; a month in Europe, three months in Central
America, a month in Australia. As I child, I always dreamed of traveling
the world and seeing new and exciting things; having the chance
to befriend and learn from people of other cultures. I’ve been lucky
enough to do that.
I consider
myself a vigilant traveler, when on the road I keep my eyes open
and really study what I see around me. When I walk, my head moves
slowly to either side, my eyes like a camera lens, filming the people
and places I see. My brain files away the images, recording and
cataloging everything for possible later use. I pay particular attention
to certain things. Things like how friendly or rude I’m treated
at immigration and how overtly tough the visible police presence
pretends to be. These things are a good indication of the collective
personality of a country. A friendly face and a pleasant greeting
at immigration always goes a long way with me. A stern, sour disposition
does nothing but make an already anxious procedure even more unpleasant.
And these days, unpleasant and uneasy is what I feel when re-entering
my own country.
I live on
the beach in northern Baja, Mexico, about two hours south of Ensenada.
I have been here for three years and enjoy the peace and quiet I
have found. Not only that, I also feel more free down here. A lot
less rules and regulations, and a lot less stress. I know what you
are going to say, "Mexico! drugs kidnappings and murders!,"
and you would be right. However, there is none of that where I reside.
It is a tranquil, ocean setting where life is easy and the locals
friendly. I know it may not work for everyone, but it works for
me. Good quality food is available at prices far less than in the
US. Truth be told, I no longer can afford to live on the beach in
my native California. So, I live down here, but am close enough
to the border to make frequent trips back to my homeland, which
is something I have come to dread.
1 Comments in Response to Why I Moved to a Freer Country, by John Brennan on LewRockwell.Com
Well said John. It is always good to read something from those that have made it out of this hell hole.