EXPAT.

Alright, before I go off on a random tangent let’s Wiki the definition of Expat for the uninitiated. “An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than their native country.”

I did it. I moved out of the country. Being a sailor in the United States Navy for as long as I was had one major drawback. Wanderlust. It was just a matter of time before the sea called me back.

Me being a fleet sailor…..let me preface this by saying there are different versions of the Navy and they are NOT all created equal. I had the wonderful opportunity to see 85% of the world. Twice. I’ve met absolutely amazing people in amazing countries like Trondheim Norway, Den Helder Netherlands, London England, Antwerp Belgium, Copenhagen Denmark, and Edinburgh Scotland. My top 5.

“The world is your oyster” does not apply to several countries however. I’m looking at you France (stuck up for no reason bastards), Rio de Janeiro Brazil….I don’t know whose running that country, but damn help the people so they can stop stealing everything not nailed down and prostituting their sisters and wives, Ugh. That was going on loooong before the Olympics. And Spain. Spain could be nice if they would stop hating each other based on social class. Everyone can’t be rich. I could mention all of the Arab States but you already know the level of shittiness there.

Once my naval tour of duty ended, I made a bucket list of countries that I could possible live in enjoyably. That list changed a lot over 15 years. Every veteran I knew was headed to Costa Rica or Belize. Scratched those two off my list immediately. Didn’t want some neighboring squid or jarhead regaling me with their half made up sea stories. I decided to shelve my list never to revisit it again.

A leap of faith and a new love found me in the Cayman Islands. I had never been, and didn’t know the first thing about the history of the islands or the native Caymanians. All I’d heard was “tax haven”. Ha. I’m too broke for that to be a concern. I needed to go to work, it CRAZY expensive here.

I’ve got another 10-12 years in the workforce. Why not labor in paradise? Are you kidding me? Have you seen the waters? I like to wave at people reboarding their perspective cruise lines to leave while I do laps in the bluest waters on the planet and drink island rum.

I’m home.