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What have I learned in a year away from home? Here are the top ten things:
1) Life can change drastically in a heartbeat. I guess I knew that, but I’d never watched someone so close to me so suddenly close to death. Tom’s episode was a life-changer.
2) It is possible to live without a home address and phone service, but it’s really hard.
3) Wherever we went, we saw multi-generational families together every Sunday, brunching and strolling in tribes everywhere. With my kids so far away, I was in tears on Thanksgiving, and a recovering motherholic all through December. I’m okay now. Especially with this new plan to pester them incessantly from now on. Maybe invite them over every weekend. Be the mother-in-law from hell.
4) Mexicans are really, truly, lovely people.
5) Wearing sandals for a whole year is even better than you think.
6) Our theory that Europeans seem, culturally, more generous and familiar with strangers truly held up. And we needed that a lot when Tom was ill. Our friends in Spain did all they could to translate medical Catalan, keep Tom entertained, keep me sane, and celebrate his birthday right after the hospital. I come home with more emotional and hospitable generosity.
7) I really missed the old friends who know our stories. The people you don’t have to keep introducing yourself to. The people you can trust. The people who invite themselves to our Oscar party. I missed our Oscar party.
8) I don’t need a lot of stuff. I don’t even need a lot of clothes. I hope that statement does not come back to haunt me.
9) One of our many miracles was that that Tom and I spent a year pretty much alone together without brickbats or even boredom. But it made me treasure my girlfriends now more than ever. I miss the girlfriends who tell you to go ahead and spend the money. And you look like you’ve lost weight. And let’s go to a movie in which there is Pierce Brosnan and also nothing explodes.
10) It is possible to live by the sea for six months in a row, hearing it roll and roar 24/7, and never once take it for granted. Who cares if there was no phone service or movies on demand? I am one of the luckiest people on earth. And I will always treasure the memories this year.
In a little over forty-eight hours we will begin a new chapter in life, as we return to Portland to search for a new apartment. I am sad. I am happy. But above all I am so glad we did this.
The Expat Almanac 
year for the two of you and capped…….onward……to more sharing…..
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So, do we have a new address?
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Not yet! As I sit here in the tropical sun, I am making appointments with building managers in Portland. Where it is going to rain for at least the next ten days.
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yikes, one of these days i will learn to read b4 i send the message…… should read…..great year for the two of you and recapped nicely………
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Thanks, Bettie. It’s Tuesday as I write this. We’re packing up. After six months in the same apartment, it’s like moving out of a house. Portland tomorrow.
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I have eagerly awaited your posts , and lived vicariously through your adventures and exploits. i will miss you, even though we have never met.
I am glad the adventure was worthwhile, my husband and I fully intend on doing the same, in a few years. probably different places, but what FUN you have had.
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Sandra, that is really so kind of you. I did not know that we have readers we don’t know. But maybe you’re one of those people who make up our mysterious readers in Ethiopia, Denmark, Brazil, Turkey…..bless you all.
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Louise, I have loved sharing your travels from her in chilly Chicago. May you find a wonderful place in Portland, and enjoy having family and old friends around you. Love,
Edith H. Love
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That is the usual optimistic thought from you, my dear Edith, and I will keep it in mind as I leave the sea behind. Do not rule out a visit from me!
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Thank you for sharing your lives with us, your enthusiastic fans! What you have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary, and your writing has been a dream of fluency, humor and insight. I wish you the very best of good times as you return to the States.
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Let us all know when you have an address. Your exploits were a deciding factor in my putting the house on the market. I think we were conditioned to think we had to own a house. I feel so much more free and relaxed without all the aggravations that come along with being a home owner. So far everything is going well for us in Kansas. Thanks for the top ten list.
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I’ve hopefully got a few more months of traveling ahead of me but do not look forward to returning home and settling back into normal life. Good luck with the transition. That could be an entirely new adventure in itself 😉
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Thank you so much for sharing your year with the rest of us. I eagerly awaited each and every post. Even though we have never met, I saw parts of the world and your experiences through the wonderfully rosy glasses of the Tom and Louise team. It was a gift. Wishing you the best in your next adventure.
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Thank you, DB. We try to keep those rosy glasses on. It’s always the best choice, I think.
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I will miss your blog! But won’t have to miss you anymore…
When will you be here? Have you bought your ticket to the “soiree”?
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No, but I will! All news in person from now on!
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Louise, of all the wonderful pieces you have written, this one is far and above my favorite.
Thanks for taking my buddy around the world and getting him home safely.
The Babe and I are anxious to spend some high quality time with you two, too.
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Aw, Willy, I blush and giggle. We haven’t made it around the world yet, but after some Q time with all buddies…who knows?
See you soon!
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Welcome home, LEL!! Your eastern ocean awaits… old friends, too! “We’ll be there…” to paraphrase our anthem.
xxoo
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As noted above, dear O, I cannot wait to see you all!
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Louise,
What an incredible year you and Tom have experienced – both wonderful highs and very frightening lows. James and I have eagerly awaited each and every one of your posts – you’re part of our daily conversations. And even though we haven’t met face to face, I feel like we have. Thanks so much for inviting us into your lives and sharing your adventures. Not only is Tom a lucky man, your girlfriends are also lucky to have you back. I particularly loved your comment about seeing a movie where things don’t explode. 🙂 I’m still nodding and laughing.
Now comes the fun part – looking for a new nest! I hope you find something wonderful. And I also hope that you and Tom keep writing your blog – or some new version of it. Portland is a fabulous place – maybe you could become its new ambassadors.
Wishing you all the very best and sending a huge bear hug to you both ((( **))),
Terri
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Oh, Terri, we are so flattered and pleased that you feel that way. We consider you our “blogparents” because of all your help and encouragement. A blog on Portland? Who knows? It’s got its own comedy series, so maybe….Is this a big bear hug? ((( **))) If so, back atcha. Til soon….
Louise Lague expat-almanac.com
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I’ve just finished reading your book as my wife and I are planning our escape. Our tentative plan is to do the same as you’ve done (living in a place for a few months at a time). I retired from the military last year so we’ve done our share of traveling but she has yet to see Europe. We are hoping to get a long term visa and use our location as a base to explore the rest of Europe from. After Europe we plan to hit Central America and then maybe Asia. All of this will include interludes at home in the states to see children and grandchildren.
Part of the plan is to have the financial security of an emergency account for travel home in the event of an emergency. One of the benefits of being retired military is taking MAC flights for free. We are pacing ourselves on downsizing right now.
Thank you for writing your book. I am curious if you plan to do it all over again in the future?
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Hi, Rick! I wish you the best of luck with your adventure which sounds amazing! The emergency fund is important, so good for you. Yes, I’d love to do it all over again, but next time I won’t sell the furniture, just get a bigger storage room. Thanks for the kind words!
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