Time-Out from America
About
Randall Wixen built a successful life in Los Angeles—a career in music publishing, a home in the Santa Monica Mountains, and decades of adventure traveling the globe. But Los Angeles had become a city he no longer recognized: choked with traffic, obscenely expensive, and frantic in pace. As retirement approached, he and his wife Sharon began searching for somewhere to breathe—somewhere with better food, slower streets, and people who aren't in a constant rage.
They didn't end up in Portugal or France or Greece, where many expats now land. What started as a practical quest for EU residency through one of Europe's lesser-known Golden Visa programs— Latvia's—turned into something neither of them expected: delight at a place they'd barely considered.
Time Out from America follows the Wixens through five months in Riga, told in real-time journal entries. Laugh at his fumbling Latvian, feel his frustration with bureaucracy, commiserate with his hip, and celebrate with him as he signs papers on an apartment. And ask yourself whether you've ever considered Riga, Latvia, as a place to settle.
Funny, occasionally maddening, and more affecting than the author probably intended, this is a book about the courage of starting over, the pain of watching your home country change, and finding that the most unlikely address in Europe might just feel like home.
Praise for this book
"Randall is the best human I've ever had. I wish he hadn't left me in the States with his son in Colorado though. From reading his wonderful book, I'm sure I'd love Latvia."
"I must admit I envy Randall D. Wixen's ability to move from Southern California to pursue a life so different from the one his high-power L.A. career gave him. Nevertheless, his success has not interfered with his ability to appreciate life on simpler terms, a life spent seeking pleasure in a good meal, entertaining excursions, and making new friends, as well as supporting the arts wherever he and his wife find them. He is also a man who knows how to have fun and how to make fun of himself. In fact, some of the funniest bits include his self-effacing humor. He also directs his wit at governmental incompetence, which knows no country. Even so, by the end of Time-Out from America, I envied the unique freedom of the Latvians who do not chase an elusive dream, but instead find fulfillment in shared values and the rediscovery of their vibrant culture."
"Time-Out from America by Randall D. Wixen reviews one American couple’s move to Riga as a serious test of home. This is an extremely thoughtful memoir with heartening stories, like when Wixen and his wife, Sharon, make Nameja rings in Sigulda as Latvia begins to feel real. There are also more heart-wrenching moments, like at Rumbula Forest, where family research meets the site of mass Jewish murder. Wixen is likeable and, more importantly, relatable. He absolutely notices what devotion asks of a person in daily life. When Sharon injures her wrist, he uses frozen chicken for swelling before medical visits. Later, his respect for Latvian painter Sergey Dyomin turns into direct outreach to American galleries. Well written and loaded with helpful experiences for readers who are considering retirement abroad, those interested in travel memoirs will enjoy it."
"Randall D. Wixen and his wife unexpectedly discovered a new world in Latvia, a land with a sense of history and much to offer. Time-Out From America highlights the fact that living overseas may be cheaper and more congenial, but it takes a long time to jump through the regulatory hoops, while it is expensive to hire the right legal practitioners and real estate agents to smooth the path. Negotiations to buy an apartment or open a bank account were lengthy. Concerns included cold winters, telephone connectivity, pet-friendliness, finding the right doctors and restaurants, making friends, and getting to grips with public transport. Much of the narrative is presented in the form of a journal, which gives a commentary on daily events, providing a perceptive glimpse into Latvian society. The book is filled with photographs that showcase the country. A return to America reminded the author of rude drivers, congested roads, high prices, feelings of insecurity, new regulations, and general deterioration. He looked forward to returning to his new home, which was being customized. This charming account will please readers who enjoy travel, as well as those considering a move overseas."