Tuesday, Feb 2, 2016
I have spent the major portion of today researching Keywords, SEO optimization, and best WP Themes for SEO, in order to help gain maximum exposure for my website and blog. In this process I am learning a lot of things I never imagined I would have. I am not a computer geek…and right now I wish I was!
I have to fight the feeling of being anxious about the time I spend reading and researching one small, stupid…ok that’s a judgement, tiny, little detail that I have no clue what it is about, but I need in order to make my site work well. The hours pass by and I am still reading and looking for information to help me do this thing or that thing. My heart starts to race. I keep thinking I’m taking too long…but too long for what?
Not having restrictions or conditions on my time is a very new experience. I like it a lot, but one thing I have to continually keep reminding myself is that nothing is urgent…slow down and relax. It seems like it should be easy to adjust too, but for me right now…I think I need to make remembering that my job.
On a more enjoyable topic, Easton and I went to the market today while Heidi was in her jewelry class. We are starting to learn the ropes and know what things should cost. Strawberries are always $1.25 a pound, tomatoes are 50 cents a pound, and eggs are 10 cents each. There are some variations in produce. Mangos, which seem ubiquitous around here, sell at 2 for a dollar, 3 for a dollar, and 4 for a dollar. I think when someone is trying to charge us 2 for a dollar they are “gringo pricing” us. We just say, ‘no, gracias” and move on.
My favorite guy to buy bananas from had papas, or potatoes, today. We haven’t eaten a potato since we arrived here. We bought 5 small to medium sized ones, all for 50 cents. I’m looking forward to dicing them up and cooking them with some onion and other seasonings. Yum! We also bought bananas and cebollas (onions) from him. As we were leaving he handed me a small papaya for free.
I have to give this guy points for value added marketing skills! I’m totally looking forward to when I know more Spanish because he talks to us the whole time and I don’t have a clue what he is saying.
Heidi has been plagued with bad migraines the last two days. I think the 4 hour stretch in jewelry class…in a room without AC and with very poor lighting does her in, especially with all the fine detail work she is doing. She is making a very cool silver pendant necklace though, and when she is done I will post it.
Another chill day and beautiful evening sunset in Bahia de Caraquez. Wish you were here.
Sundown in Bahia
Sunset break
Sunset spaceship
Chao.
I’m loving your blog… Thanks for the daily updates and details. Your work at getting it up and running is really paying off 🙂
Thanks Chris…thanks for reading it!
Todd
Todd, you shine light into my shadow for the need to relax in retirement and frustration with technology. Having a background in technology I’m fairly confident that most people, even the geeks, have levels of frustration when dealing technically, so if company in misery is helpful, be helped brother. I’m sure that you share for your reasons; I must pay gratitude for an amazing journey I take with you; lurking mostly silent, but present. As you know your choices are some I have and still am considering. May I ask 2 questions? What if a person on your journey was not willing to learn Spanish, just how handicapped over time would he be? Have you become aware of American retirement sub communities anywhere about?
Hey Mike! There are expat communities that one could live in and function fairly well and never learn the language. There is a large expat community in Cuenca, Ecuador for example, and people who do not speak Spanish seem to do ok as I understand it.
Personally, I believe living in a foreign country and being unable to speak the language, even if just some basics, eventually causes an undue level of frustration. It is impossible to not run into someone or be somewhere where Spanish becomes your only option. The good news is that with Translator apps available on smart phones, anyone can muddle their way through. The muddling is what I don’t enjoy.
Thanks for taking time to read my blog Mike!
Todd