The problem that arises...

This may sound very odd but the problem with realizing that you really can work from anywhere in the world, at least anywhere with a decent connection is this.  You often are wondering why you are home.  Why not be somewhere else? Home is nice but home can be where you are.  I felt very much at home in Madrid and Buenos Aires.  

I haven't told you about Madrid yet.  I was there in June of last year.  I stayed with a wonderful couple, both in their early eighties and both sharp, knowledgeable and generous.   They lived in a flat about 3 floors up.  Retiro Park (Madrid's biggest, I believe) is only 3 blocks away.  

I would wake up about 8am, go for a run in the park, comeback for breakfast with my hosts, have a great conversation.  I would spend the day at museums and long walks through amazing and colorful parts of the city.  By 4pm I was ready for lunch/dinner.  I would eat like a horse and write notes.  No glass of water in Madrid.  There was always a full bottle of wine and drink what you will.  First few days, I was slightly hammered by 5.  

I began work at 5:30 and kept at it till 9:30.  Then off to the flamenco clubs till 130am.  My God, it was great.

Within just a few days, I had met most of the people  and store owners on the street where I stayed. (I was going to say "on the street where I lived" but thought you might break out in song.  Keep your day job.) The pastry shop lady would poke her head out the door reminding me that my favorite meat quesadillas were ready and the knick knack store manager with the thick curled mustache would yell out, "Don Esteban."  

I spoke to my friends back in the US, daily, as I normally would.  We would talk about the same old rock and roll but throw in a few new riffs here and there.  

The point is that I felt at home and, good or bad, the people around you make or break wherever you are.

More on Madrid later....