We at Expatboxes are thinking of everyone in America after the incredibly tragic and shocking events in New York, Washington DC, and Pittsburgh.

We hope that you and your families and friends are safe and our hearts go out to the innocent victims and everybody affected by this terrible tragedy.

The people of Britain are thinking of you all.

Your Expatboxes Team
Susan, Jean, Louise, Karen & Pippa

Charlie,

I have been subscribing to this newsletter for some time now. I'm 27 and just spent several months overseas as traveling the world was one of my dreams. However, while there were some very beautiful places and some great people, I came home with a renewed appreciation of America, because most of the places I visited I met all these people who hated Americans-and they would tell me they hated me in their blue jeans, athletic shoes and baseball caps- all made by American companies. Whatever. After the tragedy yesterday, I was wondering if you as the editor and others who are subscribers feel vindicated. "See, we knew this country was going to hell in a hand basket." All my trip did, and especially after yesterdays events made me feel like America was still worth fighting for. I wonder is there really a "SAFE" place to go. How far will expatriates have to go- if this could happen here it could happen anywhere. Feel free to post my email as I would like some responses from other subscribers. 

Never Leaving the US,

Morgan, USA
88gypsy@excite.com

Dear Charlie:

I am a new reader of your newsletter, and want to thank you for all the excellent articles.  My girlfriend and I have decided to make a move to an island (yet undetermined) within the next year.  We will need to find work and real estate, and I am seeking specific ideas on how to start planning now.  My work experience involves lending and securities, hers, primary eduacation.  I have an FAA pilot license and we both sail.  We both speak French and limited Spanish, but have only US citizenship. Of course there is more to our stories, but I will stop and ask for help making the transition, or perhaps  you could forward this off to other readers who would like to help two neophytes get ready for a move.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely Yours,

Ryan Carlson, Washington, DC
ryancarlson806@hotmail.com

Dear Mag Staff,

This by far is the greatest information I have received about Ecuador.  I was born in Quito, but I have lived my entire life in New York. After many months of discusions with my husband Ugo, a Italian born, who buy the way felt in love with Ecuador on his first visit, and has been back many times,  we have decided to sell everything in New York and move to Quito. Thank you for all your information and we are sure  we will be in touch with you, we want to start a business and enjoy our life.

Cecy  Vivanco S., USA
Daseli@earthlink.com

Dear Charlie,

The caption next to my senior yearbook (1971) has an interesting comment: "Future President of Haiti." 

I'm still interested

Roger Vill, USA
rcrusoe@att.net

Dear EFAM Staff, 

I thought it was rather funny to see two articles in your magazines from such different veiwpoints. one from doug casey promoting absolute unfettered free enterprise, and the other from the folks in ecuador who are "revolutionaries who aren't waiting for the revolution anymore". Being an economist (by education, not vocation)i definatly support doug casey's plan. living in a commune would be hell for me. i like my people few and far between. although living in puebla mexico while learning spanish, i discovered that living with millions of people is not so bad as long as they leave you alone. Which seems to go back to doug's transformation idea for haiti. go doug!

An interesting comparision is what the communalists in ecuador say causes deforestation,"lack of education, ecological consciousness, and economical problems"; and what casey says causes it "People rarely do anything so stupid with their own property. But when it comes to State property, which is to say unowned property, anything goes", property rights. go doug!

Of course, if if things stand as they do now, i'd much prefer ecuador over haiti, I'm just not living in any commune. While in korea years ago i knew a guy from ecuador and we were quite good freinds. With dollarization and a stable economy, ecuador is looking evermore enticing, and all the recent escapeartist articles seem to confirm a very low cost of living. but if doug convinces the rulers of haiti to go free market and property rights, I'd be there in a heart beat. till then, I'll keep my eyes on ecuador and see what the future holds for freedom .

Gary Franklin, USA
gary@privacy.nu

Dear Charlie and Staff, 

As with 99% of the other letters you receive I will begin with my thanks and praises for the information that fills my e-mail box once a month. I discovered EFAM about a six months ago and I spend hours each month devouring every bit of new information posted. 

It is my goal (not dream...there is a difference) to get the hell out of Canada's draconian tax regime as soon as possible. While we are paying higher taxes, and the tax man continues closing the loop holes we do have, our politician are giving themselves 43% raises and cutting nurses wages...yikes. 

Anyway, I'll save the rant for later....in the meantime I wished to echo the comments of another letter posted earlier. Not all of us are retired or born with gold crusted trust funds; is it possible to expand the section of EFAM that deals with the regular people of the world that would like to pack up at leave North America in the rearview mirror? 

As for those expats that have made the jump and aren't ex-Corporate America executives who retired with their millions, what do you suggest to a dual-citizen (CDN/UK), 30 year old environmental engineer, who has realized that life in the fast line, is just fast...nothing more. Where would you go with your 17,000$ in savings and your honda civic to start over? 

And to Charlie and the gang, I'll keep you posted...I am taking the travel writer's course put on by Jen Stevens from International Living, so you never know, maybe you'll get an article or two in the hopefully not so distant future. 

Keep up the good work. 

Ann Sutherland, CANADA
a_sutherland@go.com 

Hello Charlie,

So nice to have found your site on the internet.  We live in Canada and my husband, Gabriel was born in Greece (Skoutaros,Mytilene to be exact).  We are considering the possibility of living for a few years in Greece before retiring back in Canada.  We are trying to find a way to caretake a house for someone and maintain the grounds.  Gabriel is able to do repairs on rental units, etc. because he has made his living in Construction for many years.  Would anyone have any ideas how we could accomplish this???  We would like to hear back from people using our e-mail address.  Thank you so much for the opportunity to use your publication to ask this question. 

Gabriel and Lillian, CANADA
hatzis@telus.net

Hi Charlie,

Love your site! There is a mexican site I also love. It is all for kids and perhaps you would like to include it for the kids that visit you. http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html

Kindly,

Alejandra Peralta, MEXICO
aperalta@metahogar.com

Dear EFAM Staff.,

As someone who travels to Cuba quite often, I was impressed with the accounts of Linda Thalman, and I hope many Americans will read it.  Its an accurate description of what a tourist can expect in Cuba.  One subject she didnt mention is how open-minded Cubans are about love and sex.  Even transvestites openly flaunt themselves on 5th avenue, Fidel's usual route home.  It is true that many of the Cubans have material or monetary gain in mind when they hook up with foreigners, but the fact remains that they are thin, good-looking, horny and uninhibited and dont have all the hang-ups that American women do...This makes it a paradise for single men...or women.   In Cuba they would laugh at phone sex, pornography, internet ads, classified ads and all the other crap people in the US spend billions on because theyre not gettin' any...

Paul, USA
honorianus@aol.com

Dear EscapeArtist.com,

My article describing my newly released book on "Getting a Domestic Helper (Employing and Managing a Necessity) by Margaret Short Sierakowski is brillant.  I especially enjoyed the way you took my article and added graphics that are terrific and eye catching. Your actual notation of my publisher and their email as well as their address should be very helpful toward marketing my book. I thank you for your interest and follow through. 

Yours,
Peg Sierakowski, USA
pegski@hotmail.com

Dear Charlie and EFAM Staff,

Sane People...I do like your new format, but more and continuously I like the link you provide to sanity and a better future for me and mine.  Thanks......

Ann Wortham, USA
wholly_mary@hotmail.com

Hi Charlie:

I "discovered" your magazine at the right moment -- of course -- when I had just "had it" with
all that I had done (everything) and wondered if there was anything else left to do. 

After finding your GREAT magazine, my inspiration returned and I decided to become an expatriate.  haven't left yet but I'm making lots of decisions! Also sent your magazine "free offer" to several like-minded free souls. 

But especially, I wanted to comment on your free verse editorial in this (June) issue.  The people with the "metaphysical longings" but the dead eyes is a thought provoking and evocative mental image of the living dead -- those who are just too frightened to do anything except stay where they are - even while slowly dying from "IT."  When will we ALL awaken to the knowledge that WE ARE THE CREATORS!!

Love, Jenny 

Jenny Munday, USA
jmunday1@yahoo.com

A teacher of Metaphysics and licensed Psychotherapist -- ( for the doubting Thomases)

Dear Editor,

I want the world to know about my new peace book that is sparking a global peace campaign.  Based on Gandhi's quote that "If we are going to teach real peace in the world, we shall have to start with the children," Kiss the Bliss: Handbook for Millennium Miracle Workers to spiritually awaken and heroically save our world by creating peace now.

Sincerely with best wishes,

Edwina Doyle Dozier, USA
kissthebliss@aol.com
www.blissgeneration.com

Dear Charlie,

I have read his story before, and I know the complex where he lives.  It is nice and secure.  Also, it is remote. True that the "asking price" of all real estate in this area has increased.  However, the number of buyers have not.  I know of good properties that have been on the market, empty, for three years. As Gary Scott of International Living has said, if you really are interested in buying a property in (Quito) Ecuador, start by offering 50% of the asking price--for cash, of course.  You can negotiate up or down from there.

My wife and I live in Quito in a high-rise with full security.  We rent a large, nicely furnished one bed room apartment on the sixth floor---views to the south and west.  One secure parking place is included. Rent is $130.00 per month, plus condo fees and utilities, it comes to about $150.00 monthly.  We walk around the area wihtout fear.  Of course, we are not stupid, either.  Just as in Los Angeles, where I lived for 30 years and in the Bay Area where my wife lived, there are places YOU DO NOT GO.

Verno is correct about the Gringo Pricing.  The Gringo Price is just their "frosting".

Having said all that, still I believe that this is the most beautiful country in the world.  I have not seen every country, but I have seen many.  Opportunities abound.  Living can be easy.  Just pay attention---and remember to offer no more than half the asking price.

Lawrence Williams, ECUADOR

Charlie,

I have an opportunity to invest in a business in Belize. My nest egg can cover a good portion of the cost, but I would like to get financing if possible. I have been told that foreign investments and real estate abroad rarely qualify for any traditional modes of financing. My question to you and the escapeartist community at large is... other than second mortgages, credit cards, family, and friends... are there institutions or known approaches to financing abroad ??? Any ideas ???

All the best,

Eric Hungate, BELIZE
hungate_eric@hotmail.com

Hi Charlie,

I really love this ezine and I think, over all, it is doing a great job of helping and informing people of the opportunities of living overseas. However, I wish you would have a little something more to say about Costa Rica. I`ve been to Costa Rica three times and have only good memories of my time spent there, and I hope one day to move there.

There`s about 40,000 Americans and Canadians living there now, and from the ones I've met, they seem to love it there. No place is perfect, Costa Rica included, but I think it`s still one of the best, most beautiful places to live. Ticos are very friendly to Canadians and Americans, too. 

Your ezine favors other Central American countries, especially Panama. I think Costa Rica deserves more articles in your ezine. Forty thousand people living there is a pretty good testimony of how great Costa Rica is.Thank you Charlie and keep up the good work.

Lindsay Rollin, CANADA
lindsayrollin@hotmail.com

Dear Charlie,

We are a couple from Germany who want to move to a country like Panama. We've already travelled around the globe to find a place to live. We were surfing through internet, and we found your magazine. We are of the opinion that it gives good help to make up our minds. Furthermore, we think you could reach also a lot of german speaking people with a german edition. If you are interested in this, we would be pleased if you contact us.

Best regards,

Birgit and Udo, GERMANY
BirgituUdo@aol.com

Dear Editor,

Raffi Kojian's article on living or retiring in Aremenia brought back very pleasant memories of living there for most of last year. As an Irish national who worked in Yerevan, I can attest to everything Mr Kojian said. Armenia is a hidden treasure, and Armenians go the extra mile to make foreigners feel welcome. Anyone seeking a place from which to start or run a business will find Armenian employees to be highly educated, quick to learn and completely dependable. Although economically poor, visitors come to realise that if people are a country's most valuable asset, Armenia is then the richest country of all.

Liam Coughlan, GEORGIA
lcoughlan@sibleygesp.ge

Dear EscapeArtist staff,

Many thanks for your prompt email and whatever you did to allow me access to the site again.  It is working fine once again.  May I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at the Escapeartist site as it really is a great site in every way and one I have recommended to a great many people in
this past year.   We are relocating overseas later this year and your site has been a major benefit to us on numerous occasions. 

Keep up the good work and continued success from here in.

Best wishes,
Bob Arimel, SCOTLAND

Dear Dr. McElroy,

I have been subscribed on your online magazine for I guess about six months and I can tell that
I am very satisfied with what I already read. Articles are very informative and interested. Being a sort of world traveler myself (I have worked aboard cruise line ships/liners as Spa Therapist) I became very keen on getting in touch with different cultures of countries in which ports we called. For me the most interesting (unusual though ?!) was a morning off in Sydney, Australia, when I have spent entire morning in Sydney's Botanical garden enjoying a sipping rain, walking barefeet over grass and running before geese being chasingma ! They probably thought- I am an intruder whowill steal their chicks !

Anyway, by my experience - simple mornigs/afternoons off were most happy moments forme being employed at sea.Seamans lyfestyle is really kind of expatriates lyhestyle as you live most part of year away of home country, and if you work aboard vibrant ship at the sama time you can easily catch it as a habit.

Wishing You very best in Your future work receive nice regards from beautiful Croatian coast.

Josip Budimir, CROATIA
jbudimir@europe.com

Dear Staff,

May I suggest a house sitting column. A search on any search engine comes up virtually empty. My bags are packed with nowhere to go. I also commend you on a great site/magazine; I only disovered it a week ago and cannot help but spend hours a day checking out everything.

Best wishes, 

Ken Demerling, CANADA
k_demerling@hotmail.com

Dear Editor,

I LOVE your ezine, its the best thing on the web!! I look forward to seeing it in my email box every month. Sometimes I think you folks at ESCAPE forget that some of us (your readers) are not independently wealthly or rich. Having backpacked my way around the world a few times through over 3 dozen countries, I consider your magizine to be a great resource for ideas in regards to sustaining an expat lifestyle. It would be nice to see more UP TO DATE+CURRENT international employment classifieds in your mag. I have a good deal of respect for you folks at Escape....Unlike other web based zines, you never try to use your articles/stories to sell me anything, the fact that your writers are unpaid only increases how legitimate you are as far as I'm concerned. It would be nice if you could ask your writers about prices and to give more details on cost of living for those of us who were not born with a gold plated trust fund.

Thanx,

Steven Malone, N.Y., USA
solosteven@yahoo.com

Editor,

Just had to drop you a line and say THANK YOU. I hope you guys know what a great site you have here. I have been comming to this site for about a year now and everytime I come here I find or learn something new. This site has helped me understand the true meaning of OFFSHORE.

Thanks,

Karim Hansraj
khansraj@aol

Hey Charlie, 

I salute you and send congratulations for  this important website, I ask you ¡please! if you have a version in spanish of this website send me as soon as possible.

See you later,

Axel Ojeda, VENEZUELA
axel_1975@hotmail.com

Dear Dr. McElroy,

You have published another great issue.  The diversity of geographical coverage is fantastic and informative.  There are so many great places out there to see and enjoy.  Your magazine certainly helps provide timely and valuable tips to both the novice and seasoned traveller.

Please give my regards to the author of the Armenian article.  This article was very well done, and it presented a fine inducement to see and experience a true crossroads of history.

What a delight it is to dance about the world with these great articles and escape the bounds and borders of zenophobic America. 

Thanks!

Ron Winkles,  USA
czwinkles@webtv.net

Dear Editor,

You can't imagine how much your magazine have helped me through trying to make my mind on leaving the U.S. to live abroad.  Through it I have found quantities of interesting articles about what to do, costs of living, how to find a place to live, etc., etc,. 

To tell you the truth, I think I would have not made up my mind if it wouldn't have been for you and your magazine.  I hope it keeps inspiring people all over the world as it did inspired me.

I am leaving for Barcelona next month to take the TEFL course and find a home.  I will be back for my daughter who will be finishing her school year in June to be gone and hopefully be back here just for a short visit.  I really want to enjoy life, have the time to enjoy nature, my daughter, a good plate of home-made natural food and to be able to see people walking, chatting, sitting in a cafe for hours, children making noises.....and the most important to be able to live a life surrounded by people that love and take pleasure on taking care of their homes, their gardens and  their food by themselves!

Thanks again Charlie.  God bless you,

C.P., USA

Dear Sir,

The Escapeartist website provides an excellentresource for expats.  I wanted to let you know that a 
new non-profit organization was recently formed which is working to advance the rights of Australians overseas.  The Australian diaspora consists of approximately 820,000 individuals - around 5 percent 
of all Australians now live abroad. There has been a huge brain drain out of Australia in the last few 
years in particular.

While the US government is now tolerant of dual nationality status, for Australians, the situation is 
not as flexible.  Our citizenship law effectively divides Australians into two classes - those who may 
legally hold dual citizenship and those who may not.  For example, if you migrate to Australia and are naturalized, you do not have to give up your first nationality, and will thereafter be a dual national.  If you are born in Australia, with say one foreign parent, you will be Australian by birth, and have the nationality of your foreign parent by descent.  About 5 million out of 19.3 million Australians legally hold dual citizenship in these ways.

The big issue is dual nationality for those starting from a basis of having only Australian nationality. 
If we live overseas for long enough to apply for citizenship somewhere else, then we forfeit 
Australian citizenship when we acquire another.

The Southern Cross Group has been working hard for over 12 months to get the Australian government to repeal the offending provision, s. 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act.  A response from the Government is now expected around the end of April.  We hope that the response will embrace full repeal.

Our Group is interested in hearing from any expat Aussies who are concerned about this issue or any other.  Membership is free.  To join our mailing list simply send an e-mail to info@southern-cross-group.org. Our website at http://southern-cross-group.org aims to provide a resource for Aussies abroad.

Regards,

Anne MacGregor, CANADA
anne@southern-cross-group.org

Dear Editor:

This is in response to Maura Madigan's article about living abroad with children. Although living all over the world CAN be fun, exciting and educational for children, Maura ignores the possible downsides. Perhaps it's because her child is only 2 years old and she has yet to experience the problems that may not only arise when the child is of school age, but the possible lingering effects on the child well after they grow up. I have heard countless tales from friends of mine who grew up with parents who were foreign service officers, English teachers, NATO employees, etc. about how they wish things could have been different. They loved the places they lived in and the exotic experiences they had, but they longed for friendships that lasted more than 2 years; they hated always being the new kid in class; they got tired of the constant changes in curriculum and having to play catch up or slow down all the time; they wished they knew their grandparents and aunts and uncles better; they never really felt like they were American, but never really felt British/Norweigan/Australian either; they don't fit in with other Americans because they didn't have a lot of the same cultural reference points; and as adults a lot of them feel permanently "rootless", meaning that they don't feel like any country will ever be their "home." The only "group" they feel they fit in with is other expat Americans living abroad. Remember that you, as an adult, have the choice to live abroad, but your child has none. And also, you as an adult have a "home" country but you CHOOSE to be an expat vagabond, whereas your child will grow up as a permanent expat without that having that "home" country. 

Now, I know that some people think that the idea of kids needing a "group" to fit into is outdated and clique-ish, but I think Ms. Madigan and others either currently living abroad or considering it should contemplate this, because their childrens' social developement and sense of identity is at stake. In sum, All I am saying is, think about your kids. Don't only think about your wants as an adult. You may want to live abroad because American culture is boring and stifling and foreign countries are exotic and interesting, but your children may really appreciate having a place they can call "home."

Karen Elowitt, USA
dinkydoggie@hotmail.com

Dear Editor,

Talk about taking a trip down memeory lane.  I was stationed at Ft. Kobbe in Panama back in 1988-89 and the time I spent there was wonderful.  I envy you very much, not only becuase you succeeded in moving to Panama, but because I miss Taboga.  I spent a lot of time on the island you know call home and I find myself wishing that this e-zine would have been available when I was in the process of getting discharged.  it would have been a big help and I probably would have stayed or moved back sooner.  Your photos of Panama bring back a lot of great memories of the incredible time I spent there.

Keep up the good work and if I ever do make it back, you can bet I am going to make a trip to Taboga.  Who knows.  Enjoy the weather, the people, the beach and the ocean you lucky lucky devil.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Nielsen, USA
dnielsen@conpoint.com

Dear Editor,

My family was moved to the UK with my husband's employer in the summer of 1999.  We lived in Surrey, outside of London.  The employer had sent individuals to work in the UK, but not a family; and the HR department had no set policy for establishing a move package. Our package was negotiated for a term of 3 years, and was based on what we could learn about our requirements in a 10 day visit to England.  We moved our furnishings, 2 teenage children and made the transition to expatriate living with great expectations.  Business growth did not occur in Europe as the employer had planned, and in fact by the time my husband arrived the offices were operating under severe loss conditions.  We were abruptly told during the spring of 2000 that we could not continue our term in the UK.  We were packed and removed from our new home in June of that year.  The experience - while it lasted - was wonderful and challenging.  We felt that our family did an exceptional job of adjusting to a new home and we would have been very satisfied to stay on for the full three years.  Moving back after just one year, not only cost the employer a small fortune, but cost us money as well, since we had sold off our home in the US and many of our furnishings.  We had also given away our family pets to avoid their quarantine in the UK.  It was an extreme amount of upheaval to go through and difficult to experience the stress of re-entry, buying a house, re-enrolling in schools and all the rest.  To make matters more complicated, the employer has downsized in the US and my husband is out of a job.  His position was eliminated during our stay abroad, and he worked a short while in another division that ultimately couldn't support his salary. He is seeking new employment and we would consider another overseas assignment if it was an option.  This time we would truly know what to negotiate or accept!

As a result of our experience overseas, I have developed a relocation handbook for American families planning a first move to the UK.  Our family really had no relocation support in the form of advice - we managed the entire move process on our own - and made some mistakes along the way.  The handbook provides pre-move planning information and lots of practical advice for settling into life in the UK after the move.  In researching labor statistics for the UK, I found out that over 100,000 work permits were issued to Americans in the year 2000.  I feel sure that a substantial number of those families do not get the information they need to really prepare for such a move.  I asked two associates to contribute articles for the handbook, so it contains various perspectives and insights.

Our book, Moving from the US to the UK, can be purchased on the Web at: www.ukexpatconnection.com

the email there is BKB@ukexpatconnection.com

I would love to hear from your staff - your magazine is fascinating, and different from any other I've seen on the Web.

Sincerely,

Barbara Kessling, USA
bekwoking@yahoo.com

Dear Editor,

Thanks for your reply. I'm excited to get the hell out of New York City.  I need to get back to
nature and out of the city, and I think this is the craziest way I can think of to do it.  Keep the roam-fire burning for all of us,

Marc, USA

Dear Editor,

Thank you for cyber-publishing my article.I think my friends will be checking out your web site.
I will try to persuade them to subscribe to your excellent service!

Thanks again.

I hope everything for you is going well.

Mike Sluchinski, SOUTH KOREA

Dear Dr. McElroy,

Thank you again for including my scribbles in your magazine. I enjoyed reading what I had written as if it was an article written by someone else and couldn't believe that it was actually me who came up with such a "good thing". It looks like one day I may become a featured commentator on life in this country. Who knows?

Thank you and I hope that you would be interested in something else from me. Please let me know.

For now I am going to share with you a comment on my story sent to me from a Polish reader of your magazine. I don't know whether you collect comments (I do) but this should be interesting because it is written in different language and what's more it proves that you are read all over the world.

Thank you again and best regards.

Almost a writer, 

Ryszard, USA
rdzidziu@optonline.net

>Ryszard,
> 
> Swietny artykul !
> 
> Mam dokladnie takie samo doswiadczenie z amerykanska sluzba zdrowia. Dodatkowo mysle, ze  wiekszosc tutejszych lekarzy reprezentuje bardzo mierny poziom.
> 
> Adrian

Dear EFAM Staff

Hello again good folks; Thanks for just sending the ezine.  I most certainly enjoy your site - what a breath of fresh air (for a change)....  Sooo much fine material to explore & look into..just top-notch in every respect.. "You deserve some medals" with Atta Boys pat on back....

Best wishes/regards.ron
Ron, OSA
rutley@iopener.net

Dear Editor,

I began reading this magazine when you became editor and thoroughly enjoyed your life story.  I was inspired and uplifted to read your thoughts and views, I share them all and seem to feel very isolated in my desire to travel, live abroad and escape the American consumerist mentality.  Again this month I was really touched by Maureen's story of living abroad with children.  I had been living in London for almost 2 years when I also returned to the USA to have my daughter in March 2000.  I am really missing my life abroad and am contemplating a B&B in Chile (where my husband is from)- any advice on buying property in Chile or advice in general?

Thank you

Ann Marie, USA
gnaaguilar@aol.com

Dr. McElroy,

The response to the article has been great.  I have had ten replies this evening.  It must have just went on line.  One couple has already made reservations for the 25 & 26th of March. The response has been mostly from the US and Europe.  One guy lives in Cyprus and is looking for a summer villa.

I'll keep you informed on the response.  Thanks again, and let me know when you want another article like the benefits of operating a B&B in Czech.

Ron Winkles, CZECH REPUBLIC
czwinkles@webtv.net
http://community.webtv.net/Czech/B&B/Castles & Palaces Tour

Dr. McElroy,

I wanted to thank you so much for the article entitled "Living Abroad with Children: It’s Easier Than You Think" by Maura Madigan (Volume Three, Number Four).  My husband and I live in Doha, Qatar with our three year old son not far at all from the UAE where Mrs. Madigan lives and we, too, faced all of the ignorance and fears and guilt from our friends and families when we decided several months ago to leave America behind and come here to work.  My husband was offered a fantastic job, tax free, house, car, utilities, and vacations all paid for and we haven't looked back!  We are so happy here and the people have all been very friendly.

We miss our things in storage, everyone we love, and our son has had a lot of questions, but we have all adjusted well.  The culture, the city, the food, the experience is all so great and we plan on having another child while we're living here as well.  I think people assume there are no modern facilities or that we were coming here to live in a tent out in the desert and ride a camel to the market, so this article really summed up what life really is like living in the Middle East especially.  I sent the link to everyone we know back home in the States so they could get a more open minded view of how we live over here.

Thanks again and as always, I love reading your magazine!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Crow, QATAR
steffi@the-crows.com

Hey Charlie,

Mike Sluchinski's article was heartening, and suggests perhaps that fear is after all the only thing we need fear in deciding to pick up sticks, and move elsewhere.  Ah, the Great American Diaspora:  let's all not forget to send postcards back to the less venturesome; it's never too late for any of them to take that first step as well, and who knows what card serves as the prod that works, eh?

On a personal note, I remember the editor and I tearing down a one-way street in Los Mochas, Mexico, in a rented subcompact -- of course the laughter was nervous; we were careening up the street in the wrong direction.  And, and, an international gesture for you, if you don't like it, Mac.  Great job on the 'zine, Chas; keep up the good work, and keep the hearth warm for me.

Most reverently,

Mike Oliva, USA
msoliva2000@yahoo.com