I Believe That Living In The Us Is Killing Me

[maryiscontrary]

I am currently in South America visiting retired family who was also suffering greatly living in the US. I live in an awesome part of the US, but I think staying there is destroying my health and not allowing me to recover from trauma.

First, I have discovered the food in the US, and I am talking about produce, etc, not junk food, is of such low quality, that it is making me sick. Here, the produce is 1/8 the cost, and much higher quality. The Maza, or corn flour, does not give me life threatening gastritis. I can tolerate, so far, small amounts. I have not tried wheat yet, but I understand that the gluten content is much lower. I get so ill from that, that I am scare to try. The water is superior in this region, and you can drink from tap. Bottled water is very less common here because of this

Next, the medical system. I am terrified of the medical system in the US. I have had nothing but nightmares and financial hardships with the US system. The medical system here is 1/7 the cost, and the service I have found is less threatening, and far superior.

The social system, even that of the gringos, is much more gentle, and a lot more supportive. Because public transportation is available in every corner of the country, you don't have to have a car anywhere. I fond myself rarely dissociating, and have only had one nightmare in two weeks.

I have pretty severe hypothyroidism, caused by autoimmune issues. This affects hair and nail growth, as well as female reproductive function. Well, in two weeks, my hair and nail growth have exploded. Lost about 6 pounds. Socializing every day. Easy to do gluten free here just eating regular ethic food.

I feel like I have been on the edge of disaster in the US most of my life. I feel this is killing me. This was certainly killing my family member here, who has been here for 6 months. I think I will emigrate from the US. I have never felt safer in my life. I can do it, it is possible.

 

[arfie]

When I lived in Ecuador I had ecuadorians get offended when I told them the produce was better there. "But we send all our best produce to the US," they insisted.

"Sì" I answered. "But here it falls from the tree to my hand." That ripening on the mother plant counts. Allot.

Living abroad was my first solution to the illnesses I acquired in the US, also. Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia are only three of the countries I ran to. Alas, it always caught up with me after I was adapted enough to understand the local imperfections. Still, no regrets about my glimpses of the amazing world we live in. South America is a continent of many wonders. Enjoy. Hope you are learning the language and getting to know the cultures outside the ex-patriate colonies.

 

[maryiscontrary]

In cuenca. And I am utilizing the 4 years of Spanish I took, but never had a chance to use. I feel like I am living in modern day old school Paris here, like Hemingway could pop out at any time.

 

[arfie]

I studied Biology at La Universidad del Azuay. La UDA. I hung out on Juan Jaramillo. I miss it more than I can say. Unfortunately, I never did get past the altitude sickness. If I ever get to go back, I will need to settle a little lower on the slopes. Cañaris and Lojas are heavy contenders.

You are absolutely right. Hemingway might pop out of the next cafè, deep in conversation with Diego Rivera and Isaac Newton. ¡Disfruté!

 

[franciemarnie]

Modern day old school Paris! What a dream. I loved Midnight in Paris about going back in time to Hemingway et al. I loved visiting his place in Key West. I wish I could see his old home in Cuba.

Speaking of food in US - there is very little boron in the soil here and boron is essential to a healthy body. So people in the U.S. should take that supplement!

 

[maryiscontrary]

Or a Leonard Cohen sort. The 8500 ft altitude thankfully does not both me, thankful, though, it is much like having a few bong hits at times.

 

[Britt.f7]

I'm glad you found a place that agrees with you. I am all for that. I traveled some places in the US and one stood out for me. I lived there briefly, but I had family in the midwest, so back to the midwest we went. I always regret that decision but here we are. So I am all for people fulfilling their dream, especially if it improves their health. I have to put up with what America has to offer.

 

[The Albatross]

Basically, I'm finding I'm like Frank Sinatra... If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere. But more seriously, I'm finding that if the food doesn't get me the environmental stuff does... and visa versa. I came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter much where I am. Management is the key for me... that and dealing with things as best as I can in the least invasive way.