I retired at age 54, sold everything that I owned, and traveled the world for four years living everywhere but nowhere. I was an untourist, enjoying the long-term benefits of living like the locals whenever possible. I have lived for up to 90 days at a time in Ireland, Prague, Malta, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Guatemala, Japan, and the isle of Saba. Spain caught my attention and became my home away from home. I’ve been returning to Spain to winter for almost 18 years. I lease the same apartment in Andalusia across the street from the Mediterranean Sea. Like you, my perspective of the United States and the world in general is different because I’ve had so many varying experiences across the globe.

Two things that I will add to your list of observations, however. Number one, life is always better for those who have a little money. I’m far from rich but compared to a lot of people, I enjoy a lifestyle wherever I go that many locals simply can’t. I see the less fortunate wherever I go and I realize on a world scale I’m privileged,. It’s a luxury.

The second thing I would say is that I’ve met provincial people in every country that I’ve visited. In fact, I would say that most people have very little understanding of what it’s like to live elsewhere. Everyone thinks the culture they inherited at birth is normal and therefore it largely goes unquestioned. This makes us dependent on tribalism which has its benefits, but also presents huge road blocks to solving the world problems that we face in modern times.

I’ve never had a strong sense of patriotism, because I grew up in a subculture within my own country. My world experiences of living abroad started when I was quite a young child, and I’m grateful for that. However, my varied experiences have made it very difficult for me to feel like I belong anywhere. Like Thomas Paine, I consider myself a citizen of the world.