March 2022 Archives

I’m Back on the Road in Search of Eternal Springtime May

March is a transitional month, bridging the icy pallor of winter to the exuberant energy of spring blossom and nest-building birds. Folk wisdom tells us that the month “comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.”

That definitely depends on how far north you’re billeted. In my experience, that lamb can still pack a nasty surprise— those March winds can slice right through the heaviest overcoat. It’s slow going, waiting for the days to warm up.

Unless…

You capitalize on the geographic solution. The world is dotted with places where it’s springtime all year round. Places where you never need a heavy coat, or air conditioning, or central heating. Places where you’re not a menu item for hungry bugs.

As I write this, I’m chasing down a few final details as I prepare for a trip to a destination that’s particularly well served for towns and cities which hit that springlike sweet spot: Colombia.

Straddling the equator, but with mountains high enough to be snowcapped year-round, Colombia’s got that pick-your climate versatility that is so appealing to expats who demand perfection.

We sometimes call it the Goldilocks Effect. If you’re too hot at sea level, go up 5,000 feet to a mountain town like Medellín or Manizales, and the temperature drops with the elevation. Meanwhile, you’re close to the equator, so you can expect blue skies and sunshine even when the air is mild.

I’ll bring you all the details in your next issue. In the meantime, Portugal, Montenegro, and Spain are all well into their own more seasonal versions of springtime. This month, we have reports from all three.