When last we saw our intrepid couple they were trudging off into the distance in search of a better situation for themselves.
This week as the lens opens we see a run down shanty on the edge of an even more run down small village on the edge of a foreboding dark forest. As we get closer we see our hero sitting on the porch obviously waiting for his love as he peers down the rough road towards the village. After a moment we see our heroine walking dejectedly toward us carrying what are obviously cleaning supplies. Her head is wrapped in a bandanna and she is clearly exhausted. As she mounts the porch our hero gets up and gives her his seat where she slumps, completely spent. As they talk it is clear that they are in a situation that cannot continue and from their gestures it seems as though winter is coming again and, this time, they will not survive the cold in this rude structure. What will they do?
Sharon Retires! (Well, sort of)
It had become obvious that for the past few years we had been working simply to keep our heads above water and to service our debts. Being debt free was a shining beacon which hovered tantalizingly in the distance but was getting only marginally closer each day. Every time some progress was made something else like a car repair
reared its ugly head and we were back behind the eight ball.
Living from pay cheque to pay cheque was the hardest part of living in British Columbia. I loved my position at the community centre but keeping up with the bills and trying to get away from the dock a few times a year was becoming a struggle. I was working to live with very little living time. Obviously the solution was to sell the boat, pay off our debts and move somewhere where our available assets and income would keep us comfortable, and unstressed.
And, having the option "to work, or not to work" would allow for some freedom. So that's what we did, and the relief of being debt free is liberating!
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| White building center is our Apt Bldg |
Ecuador is one of the few affordable South American countries that does not require one to wait up to 2 to 3 years before you can apply for a professional visa. The university degree must be applicable to the needs of Ecuador and my educational degree is an asset. English as a second language is a required subject in Ecuador.
We will soon be celebrating the receipt of my 2 year professional working visa and cedula (like a combination identification and social insurance card). Not that I am eager to start working. In fact, I have taken to retirement like a duck to water; another reason we moved to Ecuador (not the part about becoming ducks).
And, guess what?! I have recently started a small job teaching English as a second language online through a platform called Speak Louder. I teach 2 hours a week to Ecuadorian children between the ages of 5 - 11 years old. I make enough money each week to afford a good bottle of Chilean wine, a couple of bottles craft beer with some change left over.
So as we fade back to our brave explorers in the old west we discover that they have packed up and are on the move again. They have acquired a cart and have piled their belongings inside as they set off. From off screen a scruffy dog starts trotting after them, obviously a new addition to the family, And as we close in on them we can see a cat on top of the loaded wagon. So now the family has expanded to four and, even though they have to pull the cart themselves, as the iris begins to close we can clearly see that all four are eagerly looking forward to the next stage of the adventure. Tune in next time!
