URL: http://www.dollarvigilante.com/blog/2011/9/12/living-free-in-good-company.html 

I used to viscerally dislike the term "expatriate".  First of all, I didn't feel like I was an "ex" anything.  And I thought it implied I was an ex-patriot.  And since I don't subscribe to the validity of a nation-state to exist I certainly would never be patriotic to a nation-state and therefore could never be an "ex"-patriot. 

But, actually wanting to understand the meaning of the word I was regularly using - something that is rather rare nowadays - I looked it up a while back.

According to Wikipedia, "An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing".  That is a definition I can live with.

But, really, what is a different culture?  Heck, in my old neighborhood in Canada alone there were plenty of different cultures and lifestyles from my Hindu neighbors to all the Chinese kids and people from, really, around the world.

The world has changed a lot in the last fifty years.  This whole nation-state episode is now in its death throes.  And all of it has been hastened by the internet.

Today you are likely to have very little in common with many of the people in your area but thanks to the internet you can easily find your true "countrymen"... the only thing is they'll likely be spread out amongst dozens of different countries.

Most of the friends I have now I have met over the internet - almost all of whom are libertarians, anarchists or Austrian economics adherents.  Thanks to the internet I've got a world full of friends who all hold similar values, living all over the map... and we can all easily communicate very easily via Skype or other digital communication mediums.

However, in the physical world there aren't many places to go where you can be assured of being around like-minded, freedom loving individuals.  A number of young anarchists have started the "free state" concept in New Hampshire.  But, while I fully support them I have no interest in living inside the geographical boundaries of the United States for the next few years.  I believe what will happen in the US in the next few years will shock even myself.

As example, look at the new police cruisers Ventura, California has begun to roll out (according to We Are Change).  The signs of what is to come are everywhere for those who open their eyes.

Another option is "sea-steading".  The idea has been around for a few decades and there is actually one "unrecognized" state, called the Principality of Sealand off the coast of Suffolk,England which has been occupied by Prince Patty Roy Bates since 1967.  The idea has been having a renaissance of late, with Peter Thiel (the founder of Paypal) recently having invested $1.25 million into the Seasteading Institute and plans to create a free state of the coast of the US.

Again, I fully support that and think that is an exciting way to begin to look at creating different forms of self-governance.  But do I really want to live on what is, for all intents and purposes, an oil platform for a significant length of time?  Probably not.  I lived for a year before on my sailboat... that was more than enough for me living on the sea.  As it sank off the coast of El Salvador I remember one of my first thoughts being, "Thank god that is over!"

So, if I want to live in a community of like-minded people still the only real choice is Doug Casey's Galt's Gulch in northern Argentina.

That's why I have purchased a lot there and that is why I am heading down again this November to enjoy their bi-annual celebration and to move forward on building a little residence there.  In my humble opinion, I think that this small little area in Salta Province of Argentina could be the epicenter of big things in the coming years.  It wouldn't surprise me if a few billion dollar companies get their start out of there as literally hundreds of successful entrepreneurs are gravitating there.

It really is a special place.  And the events they have there are world class and can be life changing.

If you'd like to join me or are interested in finding out more information, click here:http://www.dollarvigilante.com/escape-to-cafayate .  (It's worth checking out that page just to see the old photo of a young, brash Doug Casey!)

GETTING PARAGUAY RESIDENCY

For those looking to get a second, foreign passport there may be another reason to go down.  One of the members of Galt's Gulch is taking his 4 seater plane down and plans to make runs from Argentina to Paraguay and has even lined up a lawyer who he says can get you your permanent residency (a prelude to getting a passport) in Paraguay in only 4 days (it normally takes 6 months). (*If you have plans to come down and want more information on getting your Paraguay permanent residency while you are there, email us at TDV@dollarvigilante.com)

This is just typical of the kind of thinking and entrepreneurship that will be commonplace down there.

More than half of the lots at Galt's Gulch have been sold so this may be the last celebration they have there where you can purchase a lot... and I have been told that they are nearly full for the "Escape to Cafayate" celebration this November.  So, if you are interested in checking it out I advise you to move quickly.

I look forward to seeing many of you down there this fall (spring there).

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