Dating countries is way more fun than people; red flags and all

Travel is an interesting thing.

When traveling to a country, we all have our first impressions, and I have noticed a theme in my first impressions; they usually change.

The longer you stay somewhere, the more you see and dislike the flaws or begin to love the imperfections. It depends on whether the defect is a cute quirk or a big red flag.

It’s like dating, and I am currently dating countries.

If you have been following my story, you will know or have guessed I am looking for my forever home, a home to put down some roots, start a farm, and live or at least have a home base. I have been very strategic in choosing the countries I visit lately.

Sometimes I get off track and think ooh, I want to go to see, but I am done traveling to travel; I must admit this to myself. I ask myself if I could live there in every country I visit.

So I decided to only go to countries at the moment meet a list of requirements which are:

Visa, how easy is it to obtain one, and how can I obtain a long-term visa that eventually becomes a resident permit, or second how long can I stay in the country as a tourist?

This is why I came to Georgia; as a tourist, you get a one-year stay and can easily renew by hopping across the border and coming right back, which means you can effectively live here. They do not believe this rule will change; however, who knows?

Can foreigners buy property?

It is huge since I want to buy land, so this is a must. I have thought of every country I have traveled to lately as a potential investment property, and I love the landscape.

Can I learn to speak their language, or do they mostly speak my language?

This is why I was obsessed with learning Spanish; it opens the world and makes learning others, such as Italian and Portuguese, much more accessible. Yes, foreigners can buy in Colombia, and I learned the language, and I know people there now, plus I prefer hotter climates.

Proximity to my family.

I happen to be someone who left the US, but I love my family; I did not leave to escape them, so I need to either have a space they can visit easily or I can go home quickly. This is also why Latin America appeals to me.

Dating scene and social life.

I don’t have much to say about this, but so far, Israel was the best social scene of my recent visits, along with Colombia. But we all know how Colombian men are, as a Colombian woman in a hostel told me ¨los hombres colombianos son perros¨. So yea.

This category is the least important to me because I am a bit of a hermit and prefer a puppy, and when the time is right, the right person will appear.

However, the economic instability of most Latin American countries is a gamble. This is why I went to Israel; I could become a citizen and make Aliya, it was an option that I have crossed off mainly due to how expensive it is, and it is too hot for me. Plus, it is way too far from my family.

Safety, which is such a gamble

So now what? Oh yea, back to dating countries.

I have noticed a few things about my two recent countries, Georgia and Israel. When I first arrived in Israel, I did not like it; when I left, I learned to love it and saw the kindness and appeal of living in Israel.

In a country that warms up to you, compassion is earned and not given freely. I have come to respect, admire, and even like Israel and Israelis.

When I first arrived in Georgia, I instantly loved the mountains, the green, and the food. The longer I am here, the more flaws begin to show, yet will these flaws be ones I am willing to overlook?

Driving and getting around is complex, and if I lived here full time, I would never drive and would not want to take a bus because they are insane, and I think they are drunk when they drive.

Trust me, Colombia has a lot of red flags also, but every country will have red flags and imperfections. It is just what you are willing to deal with.

At this moment, I can say that Israel and Georgia are off my long-term list. Fun for a few months, but just a flirtatious relationship, and then I am ready to move on.

Georgia woos you with the mountains and fresh air, and Israel with its hummus and fantastic food. Yet just like on Tinder, I am swiping left to both, but I am glad I got to sample what they offer.

With that said, I will still be spending another month in Georgia because we are still dating, but she knows where she stands.

I want to go to the caves, and then once the heat wave and tourist season are over in Europe, I will hop across to explore another country with a year-long visa for those of us from the US.

I must admit that dating a country is way more fun and adventurous that dating a person, at least for the time being. Plus, I get to love all the street dogs.

XOXO

S.

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