@abh12345 Life Update : A new adventure with sharks and volcanoes likely!

abh12345 (80)in #life • 7 years ago (edited)

Hello everyone!

I wondered if you'd be interested in a life update and so i'm just going to start typing and see where this goes!

_{Water, wine, and us!}

Since I left the United Nations in Valencia, I have been adding content to the Steem Blockchain pretty much daily from the Island of Mallorca, Spain.

And for anyone not sure of their European geography, it goes:

Miami -> Atlantic Ocean -> Steemfest 2 ->The Hanging Gardens of Babylon -> Mallorca.

_{ahhh, I know where you mean now.....}

My current abode is my mothers apartment which she bought on leaving the UK 4 or so years ago. Luckily (sorry mum!) she lives with her partner and so this place is free, and free to stay excluding bills (thanks mum!). The apartment is small, but perfect in the summer with a pool in the grounds and just a few minutes walk to the beach.

@osm0sis was here prior to Christmas, but travelled to France 3 weeks ago to spend the holidays with Family. And so, this is a good time to say I am looking forward to seeing you again! And also, bienvenue à steemit @ofildutemps, Sylvia's mother who joined us just 2 days ago! :D

In the latter part of last year, you may have seen us cycling around the east coast of the Island enjoying the end of the endless summer here in the Mediterranean.

_{Cycles and smiles}

Pastures new

As much as I like Mallorca, it is time for a new adventure and Sylvia has recently landed a job teaching Montessori on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

Yes that's right, I am reluctantly swapping sandy yellow beaches for white sand beaches. That is a lie, I cannot wait to go and explore this new Island!

_{Cocktails anyone?}

Reunion Island is situated off the east coast of Madagascar and will be an 11 hour flight from Paris!

_{Land ahoy! I think?!}

A quick google on the sea temperature this time of year and it is looking good, every day of the year!

_{Yessssssssssss!}

Why is the water hot then? Might be this?

_{Piton de la Fournaise - Peak of the Furnace 'Shield' Volcano}

The Piton de la Fournaise happens to be one of the world's most active volcano's and has erupted at least once a year for the previous 4. source

This frequent action is a good thing though as it reduces the pressure and the chance of a mega eruption.

Since the active areas of the volcano are not inhabited, its eruptions pose little danger and cause little damage.

Good to know!

What kind of fish like this warm water?

_{Jaws and friends}

arrrghhhhhhhhhhhh! Sharks!

If you have some time, check out this video (which should start playing from 16:05) and find out just how serious the situation is - they have bodyguards for the surfers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=965&v=HiImnCbclt4

Reunion Island has earned itself the title 'shark capital of the world' in recent years, and this does worry me a little - I'm not sure I'll be swimming too far out!

Work and Play

As above, Sylvia will be working in a new school and bringing Maria Montessori's wisdom to a group of fortunate children. She will be teaching in her native tongue for the first time as the Islands first language is french.

My french consists of what I can remember from school, which finished about 25 years ago and is therefore terrible!

I have a good teacher beside me though, so perhaps i'll pick the basics up and at least be able to ask for beer and directions.

What will I be doing for income?

I am taking the chance that Steem blockchain will be able to cover my cost of being alive and will be aiming for a blog a day, as has been the case for the past 3/4 months.

Having recently been approached by a couple of multi-national company's, I've politely declined and I think this message from @connecteconomy last week, sums my present thinking quite nicely!

Bhaaahaha, Nato, no, don't do that. Good decision.
Once you've been part of the future, you can't work in sticky old-fashioned backwards non-innovative bureaucratic offices ever again.

Right on!

Can the Steem blockchain provide me with freedom?

I certainly hope so, and I am going to give it a shot while the circumstances allow. The current situation is that the likes of @utopian-io, @sndbox, and perhaps @dtube can offer a regular income for proof-of-brain activites and so I think now is a good time to make that leap.

What's in store next?

As far as I am aware, we don't have any Steemians currently living on Reunion (shout loudly if this is incorrect!), and so we are really looking forward to sharing pictures, videos and our lives in general whilst we are there.

I'll be hoping to vlog a couple of times each week and hopefully this will include some gorgeous scenery in the background for you to look at while I am waffling away.

The curation leagues and analysis work for utopian-io are also blogs which i shall continue producing, along with positive writing around Steemit and the blockchain it sits upon.

OK then, consider yourselves up to date!

Thank you all so much for your support during the past year, you have been amazing!

I hope 2018 will be a great year for everyone and cannot wait to see what's in store for us all.