By: Rob Innis

Rob Innis — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:07:18 +0000

Yes I agree, having been an Expat for 12 years, the idea of a hammock and peace soon disappears as we start to look for new activities and then there is often not enough time in the day.
I now enjopy exploring Spain and writing articles for a local magazine many of which I have now published on Kindle under the title ‘Spain Exposed’ which I guess is a classic example of how the hammock is gathering cob webs.

By: Seph Callaway III

Seph Callaway III — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:29:07 +0000

I taught English in Brazil for a year, most of the year spent in Salvador da Bahia. While I was there I met a few Americans (mostly Canadians and Europeans) vacationing, one young couple (American) had a very small restaurant. These were Afro-American entrepreneurs in Brazil. I was so impressed! As it turns out, that restaurant was a meeting place for American expats now residing there. So, I asked about meeting days and times so that I could network with Americans such as myself. All the Americans were Afro-Americans, in total, about seven. I was shocked and hopeful. Being Afro-American myself and well-traveled, it’s rare to meet a group of Afro-Americans in one place at one time outside the comfort of the U.S. Nobody at the meeting had to be older than 45 at the most. My perception of senior citizens looking for a place to die after retirement went away immediately.

There is a discreet and exclusive network of Afro-Americans from the U.S. that are expats also, albeit, on a vacationing or full-time basis. I hate to break this down and talk in terms of race but whites and blacks are received differently in various parts of the world with less or more prejudice pending the country you travel in. However, this topic is taboo in the expat forum. But anyway, I would be interested in contributing to your lovely website that I subscribe to and have suggested to friends to also subscribe to as well. I agree with many articles written here.

There are Afro-American expats; I want to find them and get an idea of where they are most likely to become expats. Where they feel the most comfortable, wanted. Taking myself for example, I see myself living in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil’s lovely northeast. I’m considering an early move and definitely will retire there but I’ve not seen all the northeast, for example, I hear that João Pessoa, Natal and São Luis are also nice. There are many cities and beach towns in the northeast I have yet to see, not to mention all along the entire Brazilian eastern coast. Given the similar history as that of the U.S., its modern-day embrace of black equality along with it’s extreme diversity, it’s a perfect fit for my ideal place. It also helps that I can communicate in Portuguese quite effectively.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Seph Callaway III
[email protected]

Comments on: For retiring expats, choosing the right location is only part of the equation

By: Rob Innis

By: Seph Callaway III