You Can Run But You Cannot Hide

It  took about two years for the novelty to wear off. I wake up every morning to heaven, and still I managed to find a reason to be unsatisfied. 

It’s not that I don’t appreciate sitting out on the terrace with coffee in hand, watching the surf roar and pour itself gently onto the beach below. Sit mesmerized by the daily wave of raucous parrots screeching excitedly overhead on their way north, knowing they’d be back in late afternoon heading south again to who-knows-where they sleep. Reveling in the thousand green depths of the jungle carpet leading up the soft angular mountain peaks that envelop the house. And once in awhile, being treated to the howler monkeys barking in the distance to announce the day. Not too shabby.

All this, and not having to be anywhere. No morning pressure of having to get going to work. No Sunday blues about the upcoming week. Just sitting, watching the world awaken.

Most people would call this a vacation - even paradise - and I did.  But suddenly it wasn’t enough.  I needed goals. I needed purpose. I needed accomplishment. Most would say I needed a lobotomy. 

For the most part, the ex-pat community here consists of mostly of people in their 50’s and 60’s who have chucked it all for a simpler life. Many had really intense professions in their countries. Did they adjust better than I?

Truth be told, we all fit into one of three categories. There are the Putzers, those who’ve adapted just fine by doing nothing much, day in and day out. The read, they putz, they go online. They have no need or desire to accomplish anything more than that.

Then there are the Gotta-Doers. They need to be busy, maybe make an income, but not necessarily be too busy. Some have found hobbies, others small side jobs. And some like me, are trying to figure how to do both simultaneously.

And finally, of course, there are the Crunchers. No matter what, they cannot stay still. Even here, they don’t know what to do with themselves if they’re not going full tilt. Most of them have built businesses or careers down here. Yikes.

Personally, I’d like to be a Putzer, but I guess I just don’t have it in me. Which one would you rather be, or are you?