Thank you for the fabulous story, Gregory. Now I know the reason you’ve settled in Portugal again. I truly admire your courage to leave the Academy. I’m tired of my tenure teaching job as well and wish I could do something like that but I have two kids (the younger just turned 15) so it’s another kind of adventure. By the way, your essay’s title reminded me of a Lou Reed song I love from a great vinyl album of his I’ve got since 1989. No, the decision to have kids had nothing to do with that song 😊.
Thanks, Fernando! You’re right! Lou Reed does have a song called “The Beginning of a Great Adventure”, or something very similar… on New York, maybe? I had forgotten about it. But no, no kids in my adventure, unless you count the turtle.
Please do write it Gregory por favor, the ending left me hanging like those episodes of one of my Venezuelan telenovelas. "Sufro como Topacio"
Which country did you choose first? 😅 What happened to the Begonia? Did the turtle with the unpronounceable name eat it? And Liza? What about the Sourdough starter? Beautiful pics BTW
Your article made me chuckle (the leaving academia in Sweden) as well as thinking about my own life stage.
I sometimes wonder if one of the differences between Sweden and Finland is that when a foreigner wants to leave Sweden it baffles the Swedes while a foreigner moving to Finland will be met by a "why do you want to move here".
What a wonderful story, Gregory. I think it was a great idea to give yourself a year of experimentation to find your next home, and I would love to hear the details of your experiences in each country.
I love this ‘origin story’ for your current life and the deliberate way you set about it. So different to my own story! And inspiring for what my husband and I might do next. I keep reminding myself that these decisions don’t have to be a one off, and as I contemplate quitting my job for early retirement the world opens up. Your writing and the photos of Venice have just got my day off to the perfect start, and I would love to read a serialised account of your travels - please do consider that!
This is one of those posts (the pics, in particular) that inspire not FOMO but COMO—certainty of missing out. (It would have been a truly acute case, I suppose, if you had included pics of Lake Como.)
Awesome story man! The excitement that we feel when we start on a new trip. Those first moments setting out fills our soul with so much vitality. It's when we know we made the right decision. I find that moment difficult to describe to people. It goes beyond words. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the adventures.
Yes, of course, this is what I want to read. But you know this. I love this and the pics and that your sourdough starter, along with your turtle and Liza, made up your family on the road.
Thank you, Eliza! I appreciate your support. ❤️ As for the sourdough starter, I mean, it’s alive, right? It may not make good conversation, but neither does the begonia.
Thank you for the fabulous story, Gregory. Now I know the reason you’ve settled in Portugal again. I truly admire your courage to leave the Academy. I’m tired of my tenure teaching job as well and wish I could do something like that but I have two kids (the younger just turned 15) so it’s another kind of adventure. By the way, your essay’s title reminded me of a Lou Reed song I love from a great vinyl album of his I’ve got since 1989. No, the decision to have kids had nothing to do with that song 😊.
Thanks, Fernando! You’re right! Lou Reed does have a song called “The Beginning of a Great Adventure”, or something very similar… on New York, maybe? I had forgotten about it. But no, no kids in my adventure, unless you count the turtle.
The funny song is about the idea of having children and raising them. Most certainly in NYC, after all it’s the prototypical New Yorker Lou Reed 😊
Please do write it Gregory por favor, the ending left me hanging like those episodes of one of my Venezuelan telenovelas. "Sufro como Topacio"
Which country did you choose first? 😅 What happened to the Begonia? Did the turtle with the unpronounceable name eat it? And Liza? What about the Sourdough starter? Beautiful pics BTW
Oh, you can't leave us hanging like that! Yes, please share more about your adventure and exploration.
Thanks, Laura!
Best line: It may not surprise you that my relationship with that woman didn’t last very long. 😂
Your article made me chuckle (the leaving academia in Sweden) as well as thinking about my own life stage.
I sometimes wonder if one of the differences between Sweden and Finland is that when a foreigner wants to leave Sweden it baffles the Swedes while a foreigner moving to Finland will be met by a "why do you want to move here".
That's hilarious, Carina!
Loving this story, Gregory--and can't wait to learn how it turns out!
Thanks very much, Lisa!
Fun photographs. And, Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Robin!
What a wonderful story, Gregory. I think it was a great idea to give yourself a year of experimentation to find your next home, and I would love to hear the details of your experiences in each country.
Thank you, Clarice!
I love this ‘origin story’ for your current life and the deliberate way you set about it. So different to my own story! And inspiring for what my husband and I might do next. I keep reminding myself that these decisions don’t have to be a one off, and as I contemplate quitting my job for early retirement the world opens up. Your writing and the photos of Venice have just got my day off to the perfect start, and I would love to read a serialised account of your travels - please do consider that!
Thank you for your very kind comments, Carolyn! I'm very glad that you find some enjoyment (and possibly even inspiration) in my story.
This is one of those posts (the pics, in particular) that inspire not FOMO but COMO—certainty of missing out. (It would have been a truly acute case, I suppose, if you had included pics of Lake Como.)
Sorry to inspire COMO, Mike! If it makes you feel any better, I've actually never been to Lake Como.
Interesting story.
Thanks, Brent!
Wonderful story and you made the right choice! Were I younger, I’d do the same.
It is never too late, Pamela!
Love this piece!
Thank you so much! ☺️
Awesome story man! The excitement that we feel when we start on a new trip. Those first moments setting out fills our soul with so much vitality. It's when we know we made the right decision. I find that moment difficult to describe to people. It goes beyond words. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the adventures.
Thank you, Brian! I see you know that feeling well.
Was just in Venice in early January—what a dreamy place it would be to end up. Who knows? Maybe.
Who knows? That’s a good place to start.
Yes, of course, this is what I want to read. But you know this. I love this and the pics and that your sourdough starter, along with your turtle and Liza, made up your family on the road.
Thank you, Eliza! I appreciate your support. ❤️ As for the sourdough starter, I mean, it’s alive, right? It may not make good conversation, but neither does the begonia.
Oh yes, the begonia; sorry begonia, I did not intend to exclude you