The Sweet Sorrow of Goodbye
After over twenty-five years it is time to leave.
In ninteen-ninety-eight, I moved my family to Western Washington from Northern Alberta to Western Washington. It wasn’t because of a yearning desire to move to the USA and become citizen of this country. Rather it was a yearning desire not to freeze my ass for ten months of the year, and to be closer to my family in southern BC. A drive north of three hours to Vancouver, BC. is certainly easier the eighteen from Grande Prairie, AB.
Now, my partner, June and I plan to move part way around the globe to France. Instead of an eighteen-hour drive, it will be an eighteen-hour day flying across the world when we wish to visit family.
Why Leave
I would like to say it’s because my wanderlust has grown strong these past years, but no. While wanderlust is a contributor, the state of the States is the catalyst.
As legal resident of the USA, I don’t have the right to vote. Wouldn’t have made much difference if I did as the representatives I would vote for get elected without my assistance. We were going to assimilate into the Borg on a number of occasions, but something came up delaying the event.
So, here we are. Early twenty-twenty-six. The Mango Menace is threatening the world just so he can put his name on it.
The republican party is enabling his utter shredding of what was thought was law for fear of losing his favor.
The democrats aren’t much better. They haven’t been able to make life better for the common man even when they have enjoyed a majority.
I fear for the world my children and grandchildren are inheriting.
So… as an immigrant, I will vote with my feet. I will self deport my white, privileged ass out of this not so democratic shit-hole country (beauty is in the eye of the beholder.)
Why France
It would be so much easier to pack a truck and run home to British Columbia except for the price of housing. They are just as stupid expensive there as they are here in Washington.
We could keep our cars and be closer to family and friends right.
Well, not so much. North Vancouver, where my brother and sister live is totally out of the question. Homes cost north of one million. Move up the Fraser Valley, and housing costs decrease, but the distance to family and friends increases as does access to resources. We would gain a saner government, at the expense of long drives - no thanks.
I have an Irish passport through my mother. As Ireland is an EU member country, I have access to anywhere in Western Europe. We have chosen to begin a new adventure in the south of France.
In France we will have access to great medical care without fear of being rung out to dry by some insurance company. In France we will have the opportunity to live in communities where a car is an option, not a necessity. In France we will be able to explore the history of the western world.
In France we will experience Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. Not to say that France or its politics are perfect, but I would hope that a turd like Trump would never make it to Versailles. (Macron has his moments, but nothing like tRump.)
About the culture
We fully expect to have some adjustment issues. The language is the obvious one, but we had culture issues when immigrating to the US. While Canada and the USA are similar, they are not identical. We tripped over many stumbling blocks in our early years. You don’t know what you don’t know.
On the other hand, I think the French culture is the ultimate draw. The easy pace of life. Walkable cities. Regular outdoor markets. Easy and affordable transportation.
I expect to be able to strike up a conversation with a local, have a spirited debate about what stupidity is being put forward by Parliament today, and walk away as friends. I won’t have the fear that I might be shot because we disagree. Refreshing.
When
So, the plan is wheels up in April. Fly to Paris. Drive south to Toulouse and locate our new home somewhere between Montpelier and Bordeaux.
That’s the plan.
More to come…