"They fail because they want Spain to behave like a better version of America." This is the line that stayed with me. I'm shaking my head because I completely concord.
This is one of your best newsletters because it captures it one of your big themes, moving abroad requires a deep dive in one's values. Sadly, many people don't have the self-awareness to do that type of reflection.
I'm not a peanut butter person, but I'm glad you were able to find some in Spain and disprove that myth. Looking forward to reading about the 1-year anniversary in Spain for you and your wife.
I have moved a lot in my life. Post high school I worked in Germany and then in Australia, then post Uni I was in London then NY, then back in London and then Switzerland, then some more New York, more Switzerland and a whole lot of travel. Now we are out of the city, Zurich, and up in the mountains, Lenzerheide and will spend time in South Africa.
I have never done the expat thing. Brits are easy to find anywhere - find the Irish bar and go in when there is a sports event. For the first few years, from 1989, my "little bit of England" was to pick up the UK Sunday Times on a Sunday. That fell away after maybe 3 years.
Now, I still miss going to the pub, as in "the local" and stand-up comedy from days in London. In Switzerland, we have lots of things I didn't have in London or New York. Skiing for one.
Places work differently. I enjoy where I am living at any time.
We have now moved out of our big house near the city of Zurich. We are in the mountains and will head to South Africa on Feb 4th. This article was timely, because it reminds me to focus on enjoying where we are going to be and not benchmark against Switzerland.
I love this piece. So well said!
"They fail because they want Spain to behave like a better version of America." This is the line that stayed with me. I'm shaking my head because I completely concord.
This is one of your best newsletters because it captures it one of your big themes, moving abroad requires a deep dive in one's values. Sadly, many people don't have the self-awareness to do that type of reflection.
I'm not a peanut butter person, but I'm glad you were able to find some in Spain and disprove that myth. Looking forward to reading about the 1-year anniversary in Spain for you and your wife.
Thanks, Ambar. I appreciate it. One year in Spain on January 2, 2026. Unreal.
You know, they named a beer after you here: https://ambar.com/
I have moved a lot in my life. Post high school I worked in Germany and then in Australia, then post Uni I was in London then NY, then back in London and then Switzerland, then some more New York, more Switzerland and a whole lot of travel. Now we are out of the city, Zurich, and up in the mountains, Lenzerheide and will spend time in South Africa.
I have never done the expat thing. Brits are easy to find anywhere - find the Irish bar and go in when there is a sports event. For the first few years, from 1989, my "little bit of England" was to pick up the UK Sunday Times on a Sunday. That fell away after maybe 3 years.
Now, I still miss going to the pub, as in "the local" and stand-up comedy from days in London. In Switzerland, we have lots of things I didn't have in London or New York. Skiing for one.
Places work differently. I enjoy where I am living at any time.
We have now moved out of our big house near the city of Zurich. We are in the mountains and will head to South Africa on Feb 4th. This article was timely, because it reminds me to focus on enjoying where we are going to be and not benchmark against Switzerland.
"I enjoy where I am living at any time."
I love this! And February 4th. That's coming quick. Very nice.