After two days (actually 36 hours) or so, we are adjusting to Spain and have been thinking about two major benchmarks when it comes to leaving your home country to become an ex-pat. What to “purge,” ie, leave behind, and how do you legally stay where you land?

The Purge, Part I

The process of leaving is a challenging one. First, there is the realization that you may not have a “home” for awhile. What you always had available or been used to may become a memory. One of the hardest steps is that process called getting rid of “stuff.”

When it comes to traveling, less is more, but how do you determine what you need? Clothing is the number one factor, since you want something comfortable that fits. But what about the things we/you have been collecting for years, including books, pictures, electronics, memorabilia, etc… ? They all become less important.

As I sorted through old pictures of my family from years and decades ago, I had to ask myself, “Do I really need these? Who will look at them after I am gone?” In my case the answer was “no one” since I had/ have no biological kids or heirs. I am probably the exception, but if you do have kids and family, you need to ask them what is important to them. In many cases the answer may be “None of it.”

Doing the same thing with clothing, I eliminated the majority of what I had. My girlfriend, Kathleen, was brilliant at helping me buy clothes that fit me, clothing that was light and comfortable, and would pack well. When you travel to a specific destination you must be mindful of the temperature ranges you’ll have to deal with. It’s a process, but priorities will dictate how easy or difficult it is.

I started keeping a journal in 1981 and over the years had 19 books filled with old memories, dreams, relationships, and all that I experienced over 38 years. I planned to keep them in a bin at “home” but decided one day that I would never read them again, so why bother? In a fit of “what the hell,” in the dumpster they went. I thought about having a book burning ceremony at the beach, but time and rain killed that idea. And I am glad they are gone. My new life is here and now, and the past is gone.

The Purge, Part II

Getting rid of “things” is easy compared to leaving behind people and those you love. Since I had no children or siblings, saying goodbye to my home country was not as difficult as it may be for others. How old are your kids? Do they still “need” you on a regular ongoing basis? Do you think about traveling with them? This is an individual decision, but elderly parents are a different situation. Knowing that you may be gone when they need you is a difficult emotional tug, so be sure you know how to stay in touch and handle the emotional void it may cause.

Fortunately, technology can make this process very easy. Some apps to consider:

• WhatsApp (audio and video over data network). This is the most prevalent international communication app I saw and with it you can communicate with any country area code from any country area code.
• Skype, the original standard. This requires each party have a Skype account.
• Viber, similar to WhatsApp.
• Facetime, for Apply phones and iPads, but not practical for PCs or Android phones.
• ZOOM, which is a paid app that I used in business. It crosses all platforms and is inexpensive and you set up calls, audio and/ or video, on the fly, plus it records for further review or sharing
• DUO, a Google Play app, which allows you to record short video text messages

There are more, which I will share as I encounter them.

The next issue is “How do I stay in the country I want to stay in- legally?”

#spain, #valencia, #travel, #traveling, #losangeles,#purgingstuff