What you wrote above in your "about me" is refreshing and encouraging. I've just come back from traveling and have decided that's what I most desire to do again, in fact I can't picture myself doing anything else. Yet sometimes when people ask me what I'm doing and what my plan is, my answer is pretty much along the lines of Walt Whitman saying "Loaf." Basically, I just want to LIVE, and to do that is to be in the present, which is what you suggest above. But I do have doubts at times because I guess I feel like I'm going against the norm and I can't really explain to people why it is that I couldn't possibly buy into the American dream. So I really enjoy coming across other people who are thinking the same thoughts as me. Thanks for sharing your own philosophy and good luck on all the slopes you find yourself on.

I think your experience compared with mine proves a good point that expectations can often determine outcome. What I knew of Queenstown was "Adventure Capitol of the World" and to me that seemed a bit random, like such a tourist ploy to get people to come here by throwing a bunch of extreme sports together in the middle of nowhere. So I wasn't expecting too much and ended up being surprised by the quaint town and the beauty of it's lake and surrounding scenery. I guess when you go to places like Apsen or Whistler you can't have the same expectations you would for some unknown place that hasn't yet been overcome by the tourist forces that pervert a great place into a huge moneymaker. I guess if you have that in mind you can maybe enjoy a place more but maybe not.

Why did Queenstown, NZ depress you?

Bro -

Thanks for the note and nice words. You're right about being there for longer periods of time to really know the place. I've lived in more countries and states (USA) than I can remember but sometimes the job takes me for short stays and the list is just the truth.

For example, I spent 4 weeks in Japan the first time I visited. Since that first trip in 1980 I've probably been to Tokyo more than 50 times -- sometimes for a day or two and sometimes for a week or more.

I'm all about LIVING in other countries. Right now, I live in Colombia and LOVE IT! My wife and I are looking at moving to Panama or Costa Rica so we can surf and dive more. The surfing, diving and fishing in Colombia are excellent but a bit remote for the family so we're considering all the options.

At some point we'll move to Uruguay or Argentina for a year or two.

You stay well. Treat people right and let the world know there are still gentlemen left, chivalry in not dead and NOT ALL AMERICANS are ugly!

Stay well,

sg