While scrolling through Netflix suggestions one winter evening, I noticed an odd title: "Crash Landing on You." The premise: a South Korean businesswoman, blown by fierce winds while paragliding, crashes just across the border, where a North Korean captain decides to help rather than report her.
Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin in 'Crash Landing On You.'A rom-com set in the DMZ? I stumbled onto the show that is, for many, the gateway to Korean drama, or K-drama. I gobbled the 16-episode story like popcorn, pulled along by a thrilling plot with a graceful mix of drama and comedy. One year later, I had 22 K-dramas under my belt. Many of them, like "Crash Landing," (or "CLOY," in the lingo of drama fans), left me emotionally intoxicated.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs, about wisdom and growth, family connections, respect for elders, with minimal sex and violence. The characters might face pain, poverty, estrangement, injustice or a zombie pandemic. There might even be a heartbreaking ending. But in the end, you felt uplifted, wiser, hopeful.
What Makes a K-Drama? 
The term K-drama refers to a Korean television series, and they've been booming in popularity on Netflix in particular. They usually consist of 16 episodes, each lasting roughly an hour, and only one season. Most fans appreciate seeing one entire story arc in a season, with resolution at the end. A K-drama also features original soundtrack music (called OSTs) by top Korean composers and performers.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs
The South Korean entertainment industry, with the aid of government investment, has poured substantial resources into K-pop and K-dramas. The acting and the production values have leapt in recent years, with thoughtful, movie-worthy cinematography. "They've come up with a winning formula: the right number of hours, beautiful OSTs and a feel-good message," says Dafna Zur, associate professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and scholar of Korean literature at Stanford University.
Before "CLOY," all I'd known of South Korean entertainment was the term "K-pop" and the name of its most influential band, BTS. I'd gathered it was teenybopper stuff. The global explosion of Korean pop culture is often thought of as a youth phenomenon. But, by inquiring, I learned that a sizable number of fans, like me, are older than 50.
As for me, I had grown weary of American TV series that were artistically good but left me feeling empty. Korean dramas were a balm for tough times. I found I wasn't alone.
Dr. Dafna ZurPlenty of Us "Ahjummas" and "Ahjussis" (Middle-aged Women and Men 
… as well as "halmeonis" and "harabeojis" (men and women of grandparent age.) I put up a post on the large and active Reddit K-drama group, asking for thoughts from fans who were over 50. I expected a mere handful of responses and was shocked to receive roughly 150 well-thought-out, enthusiastic comments.
Steven Ho, 52, of New York, has been watching K-dramas as a "chaser" for "heavier, cynical western dramas." They fill a void left by American streaming services. Ho also appreciates the "comfort shows that aren't too maudlin."
One young woman said that her parents, in their late 70s, have watched K-dramas since their retirement and evangelized their friends to watch. It was, she thought, a way to rebel against the trends of entertainment at the time, such as shows — "Breaking Bad," "Dexter" and "Mad Men" —fronted by anti-heroes, or never-ending serialized procedurals.
Inspiring and Universal Themes 
K-dramas appear in every genre: romance, comedy, rom-com, thriller, slice of life, drama, historic, legal, medical, sci-fi and horror. They're not preachy, but wholesome virtues predominate: the values of sacrifice for others, the healing power of love, honesty, integrity and community.
"Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end." 
"I believe there is a powerful nostalgic imagination of innocence in Korean drama," said Saena Dozier, Ph.D., Korean Department head consultant at LanguageBird, a language program for secondary students. "Innocence that is less associated with nationhood and national identity but more associated with a universalistic and utopian way of existing within a collective community." 
"Another reason for Korean drama's global popularity," Dozier said, "is its narrative focus on society's underdogs. Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end."
Respect for Elders, and a Woman's Outlook 
Korea, like other East Asian countries, is built around Confucian values, one of those being filial piety. As a western viewer, I was struck by the integrated role of elders in K-dramas and the respect with which they are treated. Grandparent figures are often the anchors for a troubled main character or for the community in general.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby. He is as serious as his 24-year-old teacher, who aspires to the world stage. He provides much-needed moral support to his troubled teacher, and together, they help fulfill each other's dream.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby.
The majority of K-drama writers are women, and this is reflected in the storytelling and the development of characters. Many viewers say they appreciate the healthier view of masculinity depicted in K-dramas. Men show tenderness and the full gamut of emotions. And it's not uncommon for the female lead to be older than the male lead.
Romances tend to be very slow burn, where the touch of a hand in episode 12 packs more voltage than a bedroom scene in episode 2 of a western drama. In thrillers, men and women, both, often literally take a bullet for each other.
Korea: The Particular to the Universal 
Many viewers develop a broader interest in Korean language and culture. Sometimes fandom is shared between generations. Lisa Craig of Mt. Juliet, Tennesee, is one of two Redditors I spoke with whose interest in Korea began with sharing their daughters' enthusiasm for super-K-pop band BTS. Craig and her daughter Chelsea are traveling together this spring to visit filming sites, eat Korean food and absorb the history and culture.
So how did a country the size of Indiana develop such an outsize global footprint in business, technology and entertainment? Dafna Zur explains that South Korea, like Japan and Israel, is a resource-poor country that relies on the ingenuity of its people to be prosperous. "They have no natural gas or oil, so the nation counts on people's creativity as well as their work ethos, on which they pride themselves."
K-drama snacksEducation is highly valued. Speaking of her students who are fans of Korean entertainment and culture, Zur said, "Our students today know what took me years to figure out: Korea holds the key to economic, political and cultural puzzles today."
It's Just Good Stuff
Above all, K-dramas are good stories, well told. Randy Burleigh, of Opelousas, Louisiana, had a long list of what he enjoys about K-dramas, among them: main characters who strive to do the moral thing, "no quick fix to everyday problems, you'll be in for the long haul to get any resolution (and what a payoff it is!), and most importantly, wholly entertaining. I know without a doubt that I will be thoroughly entertained throughout the life of the show: I will be invested in the characters, I will laugh, cry and smile with them, and be cheering by the end!"
When people face adversity in K-drama stories, the solution generally lies in the healing power of love and community. That message is a great gift from the South Korean entertainment industry to a hurting world.
Recommendations
"Crash Landing on You""My Mister""Navillera""Mr. Queen""Hometown Cha Cha Cha""Dear My Friends""Hospital Playlist"
MyDramaListThe Reddit groups r/kdrama and r/kdramarecommends


Crash Landing on Me: A Surprise Passion for Korean Drama

Barbara J. Tuttle

Three years ago, I was living the prototypical American Dream — a home in a gated community, new cars in the driveway and a country club membership. I was making good money as an air traffic controller, but spending it on stuff I didn’t need. Stuck in a consumerist rut, I’d become what Henry David Thoreau called, “the tools of my tools.”
My 50 birthday and an opportunity to take early retirement were rapidly approaching, so I decided to ask myself some questions:
If I was happiest traveling, writing, taking photographs, making friends and having adventures, why was I spending my life sequestered at work and in the comfortable but boring bubble I’d created for myself?Why did I keep accumulating possessions that drained my finances, tied me down and consumed what little spare time I had?Could I reprioritize my life in way that would let me take early retirement and do the things that made me happiest?
His Plan: The Vagabond Life
After some soul searching, I decided to sell almost all of my stuff (house included) and travel the world — one country at a time, one year at a time — working occasionally as a photographer, writer and teacher and doing volunteer work. I'd be a vagabond and I’d do it for 10 years.
(MORE: How to Retire All Over the World)
Spending a year in one place, I figured, would allow me to start learning the culture, see the seasons and make some real relationships. I could take advantage of long-term rentals, learn how to live like the locals and have some time for relaxation to boot.
Paring my possessions down to a minimum would provide flexibility of movement and help me find out what I really needed to enjoy life. I wanted to — indeed I longed to —push my boundaries and quit playing it safe.

What His Friends Thought
Most of my friends thought I was crazy to give up everything and travel the world. Some seemed to think I’d be betraying the consumerist ethic that says the goal of life is to accumulate more and more “stuff” until you die. Others thought I was going through a midlife crisis and would be back in a few months longing for the return of what I’d shed. A few believed I had the germ of a good idea and was on the right track, but that my plan was unworkable.
(MORE: Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2015)
It’s now been three years since I actually began doing it. While I haven’t strictly adhered to my original “base one place for one year” idea, I have lived in, and certainly traveled in, some amazing places.

How His Plan Has Worked Out
I started with five months on the beach in Xcalak, a tiny village on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, and then spent seven months high in the mountains of southern Mexico in the town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
Next, I followed a few months back in the United States with nine months in the shadow of Angkor Wat in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap. For the past 18 months or so, I’ve been based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In the interim, I spent a month in Bali, a month in Myanmar (Burma) and a month in Laos. I’ve also traveled to Bhutan, Canada, Chile, China, Guatemala, Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam.
(MORE: Best and Worst Reasons to Retire Early)
Right now, I’m in the process of discarding what little dross I’ve accumulated in Thailand for a move further afield in Southeast Asia.
Not Rich, But Living Richly
After three years, I am not rich, but I am living more richly than ever before.
I can hardly believe the places I have seen and the adventures I’ve had since retirement.  I know that from the outside it must all seem expensive and extravagant, but it really isn’t. All it has required is a recalibration of the things that I value and see as important.
My base living expenses are less than 20 percent of what they were back in the states when I was looking for meaning in the things I bought and consumed.
Now, instead of finding ways to kill time, I spend my days running toward life and living life consciously and deliberately.
Over the last few years I have seen a lot of places and learned a lot about myself, but the biggest thing I have discovered is that retirement can be a time of reinvention and living your dreams.
Retirement should be simply a new phase of life or truly, Life Part 2.
 
Jonathan Look, a photographer and writer, lives by the philosophy: “Why sip life from a straw when you can drink it from a fire hose?” You can sign up for his newsletter here, visit his website at LifePart2.com or visit him on Facebook.


Chucking It All at 50 to Retire Around the World

Jonathan Look


(This article appeared previously on HuffPost50.com.)
Earlier this year, the White House announced that Malia Obama would attend Harvard University ― but not before taking a gap year. She, like countless other teenagers, decided to take some time off between graduating high school and enrolling in college.
But why should only young people take advantage of this opportunity? What about those folks middle-aged and older? Fortunately, while there are plenty of programs for students like Malia, there also are several gap year programs that are geared for the restless, the retired or the about-to-be retired.

“There are many volunteer trips abroad that tap into [older] people’s civic-mindedness, and then combine it with travel, something that may have been harder to have time for in past years but is now absolutely a possibility,” Elizabeth Cauchois, program adviser for Projects Abroad, a large international volunteer organization, told The Huffington Post.
“For those over 50, who are simply taking a career break, it can be a way to use their skills in a professional setting abroad and bring what they have learned back to their organization or company.”
Got your attention? For those ready to ride the gap-year train, here are seven awesome ideas on how to climb aboard.
1. Join The Peace Corps
Did you know that The Peace Corps doesn’t have an age limit? Depending on the volunteer program you choose, your service can last from three months to two years. You can even choose what country you want to serve in, the type of work you do and when you depart. For more information, The Peace Corps recommends talking with a recruiter. Go here to find out more.
2. Try Voluntourism
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer your time and skills depending on what your interests are. You can do marine research with the Wild Dolphin Foundation in Hawaii or work with orphans in India. You can even volunteer to work on an Israeli military base through the Volunteers for Israel program.
When it comes to Projects Abroad, “we have one-to-two-week trips specifically for volunteers over 50. These are group trips, so volunteers can meet like-minded people around the same age, and are designed to accommodate the needs and interests of these volunteers,” Cauchois told HuffPost. “Volunteers can work with children, assist with renovation work or contribute to sustainable development. These take place during the fall and spring, with a few different options in terms of dates.”
3. Connect With Locals in Foreign Countries
Try out an organization that’s designed to help travelers connect with locals. Rita Golden Gelman, 79, has been traveling the world for 29 years. “I have no home and almost no possessions. I have been welcome almost everywhere I’ve been […] in Sandinista Nicaragua in 1987," she told HuffPost. Gelman also said she's be in Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Indonesia, India, tribal New Guinea, Suriname, Guatemala, Mexico and many other countries.
According to Gelman, author of “Tales of a Female Nomad, Living as Large in the World,” Servas is one worldwide cooperative cultural exchange network of travelers and hosts that can hook you up with families all over the world. “This is my favorite organization. There are 15,000 families who belong to the organization because they want to meet you!” Gelman said. “Everyone in Servas has been face-to-face interviewed. It is totally safe and there is no charge for a two-night visit. They feed you dinner and show you their world.”
4. Join a Road Scholar Program
While there is nothing keeping you from enrolling in courses at your local university or college ― and many places will allow older adults to audit classes for free ― the Road Scholar program (formerly known as Elder Hostel) puts an educational spin on group travel. Tours to a wide range of countries ― including Cuba ― are led by experts in the field. There are also suggested reading lists and most days include lectures and discussion groups. Subjects include just about anything and are based around interests and, of course, travel.
5. Try Winging It
“Often I just go somewhere that I see on a map […] or somewhere some stranger suggests. I talk to anyone in the community who speaks English (waitresses, community leaders, guides) and I ask if they know of a family that would like a guest for a while,” Gelman told HuffPost. “I tell them that I will pay and that I want to help with the household chores and learn how they do things. I want to learn how and what they cook. I want to learn their chores, their songs, their dances, their daily routines.”
“I want to learn about their religion, their customs. I want to play their games and sing their songs” she said. “I stay a long time […] months, even years. Long enough for them to think of me as part of the family.”
6. Enjoy Some Time in Europe ― On the Cheap
Daydreaming about that summer you spent backpacking through Europe, but maybe without the backpack? You can do it now! For those on a fixed income, leasing out your house may be one way to afford a new adventure. Eliminating your housing expenses may free up enough cash to move freely around the globe. Or if what you really want is a nice base in say, Paris, you might even get lucky and do a house swap. Try a service like HomeExchange.com that claims to offer more than 65,000 homes in 150 countries.
7. Try Teaching
Whether you want to head off to Asia, Africa, Latin America or elsewhere, teaching English offers a wide range of great international opportunities for people of all ages, including those over 50. You may enjoy low-cost housing as well as the chance to soak in other cultures. For more information, go here.
No matter what type of gap year program you choose, Ethan Knight, executive director of the American Gap Association, suggests you enlist the right experts.
“If you don’t know about security issues, visas or vaccinations ― seek out an expert in those specific areas,” he told HuffPost.
And then, just have fun.
“The world is more inviting than the media would portray. Friends are around every corner, and a bit of courage to seek out new friends is an important component to any successful gap year,” Knight said. “Challenge your comfort zones. Indeed, it’s the best way to grow!”
 


7 Great Gap Year Ideas For Grown-ups

Shelley Emling, The Huffington Post

­It is 7 a.m. and I am in a sweat. My hands are shaking and I can barely hold my drinking glass as I gulp down my third cup of water. My knee hurts, my legs are aching and I can feel the stubborn blister between the toes on my left foot coming back again.
Why do I voluntarily do this to myself? I am almost 55 and my body hasn’t been without some sort of pain or soreness for over six months. Retirement was supposed to be a time to lay back and relax, but I can’t let up. Time is counting down. London is calling. Specifically, the London Marathon.
Seeking Adventure
I am an American, my partner, Sarah, is English, and we are in the midst of our second year of living in the small, landlocked, southeast Asian country of Laos. We moved here because, in addition to loving the scenery, the culture and the people, we like to try unusual things and we appreciate a challenge.
We are both avid travelers who like to stay active and push the boundaries of our comfort zones. I think it is a great, if somewhat unusual, way to live life. But I have to admit I was a little taken aback when Sarah told me, during the middle of the hottest season of the year in Laos, that she wanted to start training for the 2016 London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday April 24.
I have run a marathon before. In 2003, back when I was just a kid in my mid-40s, I completed the Houston Marathon. But I have never been an enthusiastic “runner” and even back then I found the training to be a pretty miserable experience. Still, I kept going and even managed to finish before they reopened the streets and packed away the finish line.
So when Sarah asked if I also wanted to run the London Marathon and use the experience to raise money for one of our favorite charities, ActionAid (she has a knack of finding ways to appeal to my heart; ActionAid helps fight poverty and injustice), the memory of all that miserable training came flooding back. But so did the exhilaration of crossing the finish line. I still have the feeling of accomplishment. It did take me a couple of days, but I did eventually say yes to London.
Ready, Set...
Now, Sarah and I aren’t particularly athletic. Nor are we obsessed with staying in shape or with fitness in general. We try to eat healthy, but often fail. We sign up for strict training programs and (sometimes) take an unscheduled day or two off. We don’t stretch our muscles the way we should and we certainly aren’t looking to break any records, but because we committed and gave our word to ActionAid, we have taken the challenge seriously. We are ready!
Being committed to running 26.2 miles is not something anyone should take casually. It is hard work and requires the completion of a lot of little goals before you can even consider tackling larger ones. (We got health checks, too.)
But like many tough things, the pieces start coming together. Enthusiasm builds and that keeps you moving forward. Even a few weeks back, I was already beginning to feel the excitement I know I will enjoy before the race and upon crossing the finish line. I also know that the city of London has a great reputation for supportive crowds and and there will be thousands of people there to cheer us along the way.
Not Stopping
As if running the marathon isn’t crazy enough, a couple of days after we cross the finish line in London, we are going to fly to Biarritz, France, walk across the Pyrenees Mountains and begin the 30-day, 800-kilometers trek across Spain along the “Camino de Santiago.”
Walking “the Camino” is something that has been on our bucket list for years, and when we saw an opportunity, we took it. I am looking forward to the scenery, the comradery and the food and the wine. I anticipate having an incredible walk and I know that it will give us more ideas about new places to visit. That is the problem with traveling, it is like a drug; traveling doesn’t get anything out of your system, it just makes you want more.
When we do these things, it gives us more common interests and shared experiences. It keeps our minds engaged and looking forward to the next goal.
We don’t do them because we find them easy. We do them because they are a challenge and they make us feel younger and excited about life.
Retirement is too precious to waste reliving old memories when there are so many memories yet to be made.
Follow this link to help us raise money for ActionAid. And I will be posting updates on our progress on my blog (Lifepart2.com), my Facebook page and Twitter (@LifePartII)  as often as possible. Thank you!


Why I'm Running the London Marathon In My 50s

Sixtysomething Drivers Are Getting a Bum Rap

John Stark

It was two days before Thanksgiving and Margaret Huang, 55, was on her daily afternoon walk. The route for the CEO of Credence, an Oakland, Calif.-based leadership development group, usually takes her through the city's Chinatown. But since Daylight Saving Time had just passed, her path was darker than usual.
Margaret Huang, a victim of a mugging in Oakland’s ChinatownSuddenly, two young men ran up behind Huang and proceeded to mug her, snatching her purse and pulling her Airpods from her ears. Stunned, Huang then saw her attackers running towards a white car where a third man was waiting. They entered the vehicle and took off.
"I don't remember much, because I was very scared."
The mugging took place in front of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza shopping mall. Four witnesses rushed to Huang's aid after the attack. As she spoke to them, Huang noticed a security camera above her.
In the days after the attack, officers said they'd apprehended her attackers. But without seeing the footage, which the police didn't provide, Huang couldn't be confident they had the right men. 
"I don't remember much, because I was very scared. I don't ever want to give a rough description," she said.
Huang then learned of similar Chinatown muggings by individuals who also took off in a white car. She also began seeing charges on her stolen debit card for fast food orders made days after the attack. Huang suspected her attackers were not in custody. She still does.
The Explosion in Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans
The national Stop AAPI Hate coalition has received nearly 3,000 reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (what AAPI stands for) in the United States since launching in March 2020. People 60 and older and women have been disproportionately targeted with physical violence.
Eric Toda, global head of social on Facebook, wrote on Adweek that "there's been a 1,900% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City in the past year."
California's Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus calls the surge in hate crimes "a national emergency."
Professor Russell Jeung, a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, in Oakland’s ChinatownSoon after taking office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to condemn and combat violence against Asian Americans. But the hate crimes continue.
You may have seen some of the Asian American elder abuse reports on the news, such as the late January terrifying and brutal San Francisco killing of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a Thai immigrant. His death, which sparked outrage and calls for protests, was featured in the recent People magazine article, "Violence Against Asian Americans: Rising Hate." Prosecutors have charged a suspect, who has pled not guilty to murder and elder abuse.
Hate crimes are rarely prosecuted since it's very hard to prove that an assault was targeted at a particular group.
Why Experts Think the Hate Crimes Are Rising
Some, like San Francisco State University Asian American Studies chair Russell Jeung, a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, believe former President Donald Trump's use of the term "Chinese virus" to describe the coronavirus is a factor in the increase of violence racializing COVID-19.
Analysts offer several explanations for the growing number of hate crimes against Asian American elders in the United States in places ranging from New York City to Los Angeles.
Jeung also believes the attacks are the latest incarnation of America's troubled history with the Asian community.
Huang sees her mugging as a crime of opportunity in which she was targeted.
"We know historically there was the 'Yellow Peril' fear," he said. "There's a stereotype that Asians would come from the outside and invade as a threat to the West, especially with their diseases."
Such racism in the late 1800s led to the Chinese Massacre of 1871, when 500 white men lynched 20 Chinese men in Los Angeles' Chinatown.
Huang sees her mugging as a crime of opportunity in which she was targeted. "You've got a community that you think carries cash and you're targeting women," she said. The Bay Area has one of the highest concentrations of Asian Americans in the United States.
A lack of tourism in some of the nation's Chinatowns, due to pandemic-related restaurant closings and restrictions, has also made the streets less busy than before COVID-19, making people walking alone easier prey.
Changing Behaviors to Stay Safe
News of the increased attacks lately has caused many older Asian Americans to change their behavior.
For instance, Jeung's mother — who lives in the neighborhood where Ratanapakdee was killed — told her son that she doesn't plan to venture outside her predominantly Asian neighborhood anymore.
"Sadly we're getting restricted back to Chinatown just like in the nineteenth century," Jeung said.
Huang is advising others in her life to not walk alone at night and to avoid carrying anything of value.
It took Huang two weeks to return to walking outdoors after her attack. These days, she has changed her schedule to walk in the morning. "I think all the people who want to do these crimes are probably sleeping," she said. 
Kenyatta George, Derek Ko and Kellen Yu tape notices in Oakland’s Chinatown to help the community fight crimeAlthough Huang believes she's been afforded certain privileges because she was born in the U.S., is bilingual, college-educated and an entrepreneur, she has still found it difficult to navigate the criminal justice system. But she feels a strong sense of obligation to seek justice because of the obstacles older Asian Americans face in her community.
"They're just trying to survive and get their bills paid," she said. "Who really has time to navigate this bureaucracy?"
What Could Be Done to Protect Asian American Elders
Jeung would like to see stronger efforts made by government officials to address the hate crimes. For instance, he'd like the Biden administration to use some of the community relations services in the Department of Justice.
Community ambassador programs with foot patrols by local residents may help deter some crimes from occurring.
"During 9/11 they went out a lot to help communities understand their rights and mediate between conflicts," Jeung recalled.
Jeung also wants to see more enforcement of existing state and federal laws to address these crimes.
Community ambassador programs with foot patrols by local residents, like ones in uptown and downtown Oakland, may help deter some crimes from occurring.
Oakland's community ambassador program began three years ago jointly by the Asian Health Services and the Asian Prisoner Support Committee. It was created as a reentry initiative for former inmates and to address trash and safety issues in Oakland. But due to the pandemic, the pilot program for Chinatown has seen a decrease in funding, so the neighborhood remains unguarded.
Ener Chu, an associate director at the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing and services, is pushing to fund a community ambassador program in Oakland's Chinatown. He hopes to make that happen by creating a Business Improvement District (BID) there, possibly requiring area businesses to pay a tax to fund the safety group.
Chu and his Chinatown Coalition colleagues plan to present their proposal to the City Council in late Spring.
"We need something to make this permanent for the neighborhood," Chu said. Chu and his associates have surveyed business and property owners in Chinatown who have expressed interest in having more protection.
Chu and members of the Chinatown Coalition think encouraging community policing by residents and business owners is preferable to restoring a secondary police unit.
According to Chu, community ambassadors have prevented robberies and responded to mental health crises through their three-year history.
Huang favors the ambassador program and also wants to see more diverse patrons supporting the Asian American community in Chinatown.
"One of the best ways to be allies is to patronize the district, so there's more visibility of different kinds of people coming in and buying things," she said.
This article is made possible with funding from the NextFifty Initiative.

What Could Reduce Rising Hate Crimes Against Asian American Elders

Abdi Mohamed

When it comes to the perfect overseas retirement destination, there's no single country best suited for the needs of every retiree. What thrills the heart of one would-be expat might be irrelevant to another. Still, there are five standouts that just might tip the scales by providing the best overall benefits to Americans interested in retiring abroad:
Panama
While Panama enjoys the same low cost of living and extraordinary weather as most of Latin America, it has one benefit that overshadows most of the perks of its nearby competitors: The Pensionado visa program for expats.
(MORE: Retiring in Latin America is Easier Than You May Think)
Introduced in 1987, this attractive package provides an array of discounts, including 50 percent off entertainment, 25 to 30 percent off travel, 30 to 50 percent off hotels and even 10 to 20 percent off health care. (To qualify, you must have monthly income of at least $1,000 for life from a guaranteed source, such as a pension or annuity, or income of at least $750 per month and a $100,000 minimum investment in Panamanian real estate.)
Speaking of health care, the options available in Panama are surprisingly good, particularly in Panama City. The hospitals are new and modern; many doctors are English-speaking and U.S.-trained.
Development in Panama has been booming in recent years. You’ll now find many gated communities and luxury developments.
Ecuador
Ecuador is alluring largely for its affordable cost of living. A couple can easily get by in this South American country for as little as $1,200 per month without compromising their lifestyle. Rent can run just $500 per month, whether you’re in a cottage near the beach or a condo near the heart of a quaint colonial city.
(MORE: Where in the World Should You Retire?)
Other inexpensive amenities include phone/cable/internet bundles for $50 per month and domestic help for $200 per month.
Ecuador also uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, eliminating any concerns with exchange rates.
Everything else about the nation, however, is uniquely its own. Ecuador is especially well-known for hosting international art and music events.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica appears on this list mainly for its rich quality of life. With beautiful scenery, a year-round tropical climate, friendly locals and a well-established expat community, this Central America country delivers the opportunity for retirees to live "la pura vida" — the pure life.
You can choose from a variety of retirement living options in Costa Rica, ranging from a laid-back coastal existence in tiny Nosara to all the modern conveniences near the inland capital of San Jose.
Costa Rica also has an attractive pensioner's program. The country’s cost of living isn’t the lowest in Central America, but it’s still a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S.
The nation’s excellent health care and many other benefits explain its long-standing reputation as one of the world's best places to retire.
Malaysia
Often touted as Asia's Panama, Malaysia has low living costs, retirement benefits and quality health care that are much like the country’s Central American competitors. It's also safer.
This nation in Southeast Asia, known for its phenomenal food, also extends options that are a bit more exotic that what you’d find in Latin America. Its forests, for example, are home to exotic species of monkeys and other animals.
Malaysia’s government has declared the nation to be on track to become a "first world" country by 2020, so additional airports will likely appear in the near future.
Nicaragua
One of the greatest things about Nicaragua, a Central American country just to the north of Costa Rica and Panama, is that it's still relatively off the radar of many travelers and retirees. As the country continues to attract tourists and expats, its list of amenities is likely to keep growing.
Among the least expensive places to live in Latin America, Nicaragua is also one of the safest.
If you’re looking for first-world comforts, exciting culture and nature adventures, the colonial city of Granada is an ideal place to live. Other areas of Nicaragua offer all the conveniences retirees look for against the backdrop of beautiful natural wonders.
The secret of enjoying a wonderful retirement here won’t last long.


The 5 Most Enticing Countries to Retire Abroad

Park Wilson

(This article appeared previously on KQEDRadio)
“I see myself in you,” I say to myself about the Millennial woman I work with. She’s young and full of energy, lots of good ideas, topped off with a big dose of self-righteousness.
At first, I nicknamed her “Eeyore,” because she seemed to complain about so many things. “Why aren’t the junior staff more involved in the decision making?” Why doesn’t the board know who they are?” And so on. “Seriously?” I thought. “They should be happy they have jobs.”
Have I Become an Oldster?
“Don’t they realize how good they have it working here?” I ask a colleague, a fellow baby boomer. Then I thought, “Oh no! I have become an oldster!” I rail against being an oldster. When I hear myself begin to utter the dreaded phrase “When I was your age,” I shudder.
But the truth is, I was her age, now more years ago than I care to remember, and I wore my self-righteousness like a badge of honor. I am finally mature enough and honest enough to admit that. I thought I knew everything: senior management was always wrong, out of touch, overpaid, insensitive. You name it, they were it . And it was my job to prove I was right and they were wrong.
Drama at Work Is Tiring
There was always drama of some sort, which is why I would trudge up the hill to my apartment exhausted on Fridays. It isn’t easy writing, directing and starring in your own one-act play every day. I didn’t know that drama is tiring and belongs on the stage. Only recently have I figured this out.
I’m a political junkie, but when it came to navigating the politics of an office, I was a tad slow on the uptake. But better late than never. I just didn’t realize then how good I had it.
I'm Still Like Her, Sometimes
Now I see my young colleague, and who I was, and I can’t call her Eeyore anymore. Instead, I show her kindness. I now know that she likes and respects me, and hopefully she doesn’t see me as an oldster, but maybe, just maybe as an experienced elder. That would be nice, because once I was just like her. On my better days, I still am.
With a Perspective, I’m Iris Fluellen.


Boomer to Millennial: I See Myself in You

Iris Fluellen

(This article previously appeared on Internationalliving.com.)
Mafra, PortugalThe world is full of affordable destinations where your dollar goes further than in the United States. And thousands of people have discovered there are places overseas where even a little goes a long, long way.
Here are the five best spots to retire for under $30,000 a year — in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia — that make good sense for a lower-cost, high-quality life.
Mafra, Portugal
Located 21 miles northwest of Lisbon and 15 minutes from world-class surfing beaches in Ericeira, Mafra offers an attractive mix of indoor culture with outdoor opportunities in a splendid park next to one of the country’s largest national palaces (the Jardim) and the nearby Tapada de Mafra, the former royal hunting grounds.
The town is a low-key place of white-washed houses trimmed in yellow and blue, lining narrow cobbled streets. The scent of grilling sardines is ever-present in the air, along with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses in the village’s many cafés and bars.
Here, a couple can live well on a monthly budget of $2,034.
Mafra’s palace, cultural center and music school provide frequent concerts, plays and other events. But if you want to spread your wings a bit, no problem. A reliable, comfortable bus service operated by Mafrense departs regularly from in front of the palace to the Campo Grande bus station in Lisbon. Express buses make the trip in approximately 40 minutes. The cost is $5.30 one way, $8.80 round trip. In the opposite direction, at the end of the line, you’ll find yourself at the beach in the world-class surfing reserve of Ericeira.
A World Health Organization (WHO) ranking of global health care systems in 191 countries places Portugal’s at number 12  (the U.S.: 37). The National Health Service of Portugal (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is available to citizens as well as both temporary and permanent residents. Most middle- and upper-class citizens have private insurance, allowing on-demand access to a comprehensive network of private hospitals at minimal cost (in addition to public ones). Depending on your age and health condition, private insurance can be had for as little as 4 euros per month, although usually it is more in the 40 euros per month per person range.
Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca, Ecuador’s third-largest city and the economic center of the southern sierra, has leaped into the international spotlight in recent years.
Cuenca has long been known for a rich intellectual, artistic and philosophical tradition that matches its colonial architecture. It is famous for colorful festivals, distinctive food and breath-taking scenery. And because of its history and state of preservation, Cuenca is one of Ecuador’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cuenca, EcuadorA couple can enjoy a wonderful retirement on $1,680 per month in Cuenca, excluding travel — which can vary greatly from household to household, depending on your lifestyle.
Keith Paul and his wife Tina have no regrets about retiring to Ecuador. And they’ve felt that way since their move to Cuenca from California in January 2016.
What do they like best about living in the city? Keith says, “The people here are great, both in the gringo community and with the local Ecuadorians.” Tina adds: “We’re friends with many local people, who’ve made us feel like we’re part of their family. We could be busy every day of the week with our new friends.”
After researching several Latin American countries to retire to, they realized Ecuador offered exactly what they needed. Tops on their checklist: living in a city where there were many interesting and varied activities; where the climate was temperate and not extreme; where walking around was easy and owning a car was not necessary; where the cost of living was low and where they felt safe and secure.
Cuenca won, hands down.
Opting to rent, their three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom, 1,400 square foot condo costs just $700 a month.
Pat and Rick Jackson wanted to retire at 55, and they also met their goal thanks to moving to the colonial city.  “Living in Cuenca costs about 25 percent of what it cost us to live in Philly,” says Pat. They pay just $500 a month for their two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the Puertas del Sol neighborhood.
Cuenca has several top-notch hospitals, and many of the physicians have studied abroad and are bilingual. For the quality of care offered, costs are quite low — an office visit runs around $30.
Many expats are taking advantage of the option to join Ecuador’s Social Security health care system. Open now to all residents, there are no age or pre-existing exclusions, and complete coverage costs only a little more than $70 a month for a couple. Cuenca has both a Social Security hospital in the suburbs and a clinic in the downtown historic district.
Ecuador’s best medical services are offered in Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil.  It is common practice for doctors in other parts of Ecuador to refer seriously ill patients to hospitals in one of these cities.
Central Valley, Costa Rica
The Central Valley — home to about two-thirds of Costa Rica’s population — is the place to find elegant residential communities, excellent medical facilities, first-class shopping, splendid restaurants and spectacular natural wonders including volcanoes, soaring waterfalls, roaring rivers and wildlife-filled forests.
Central Valley, Costa RicaIt’s hard to beat the Central Valley when you’re looking for a beautiful, friendly and relatively inexpensive place to live. Nestled among forests, mountains and farms are villages where expats have been living side by side with Costa Ricans for many decades.
Throughout the Valley are charming, small towns that will remind you of another age.
A single person can live on $1,500 to $1,800 a month. Some scrape by on considerably less and others spend hundreds of dollars more. In most cases, a couple can live well on $2,000 per month and even better on $2,500. It depends on your lifestyle.
Like many expats living la Pura Vida in Costa Rica, Ania and Tom Dudek — and their two sons — first visited the country on vacation. “For years, we would come for a month and rent a house in a different area each time,” says Ania. “But one day, we fell so in love with Costa Rica and the people there that we decided to start a new chapter in our lives and move.”
The family eventually moved full time to the small mountain town of Atenas. Settled high in Costa Rica’s perfect-weather Central Valley, it is midway between the beaches of the Pacific coast and the metropolitan capital of San José (only an hour’s drive east or west). A coffee and ranching town, Atenas is known for pleasant, sunny weather and touts the slogan: “The Best Climate in the World.”
By almost any standard, Costa Rica has some of the best health care in Latin America. The country’s public and private health systems are constantly being upgraded—new hospitals, new equipment and improvements in staff training. San José, the country’s capital located in the Central Valley, has the best public and private medical care in the country, which makes the Central Valley a popular spot for retirees.
“Costa Rica has modern, state-of-the-art health care available to everyone," says Dr. John Michael Arthur, an expat from Texas. "We pay $82 a month as a couple for the universal public health care system — after that, all care is covered and free. If you prefer a second opinion or more immediate care, there’s the private system, which runs about one third of the U.S. costs. I had a dental crown replaced recently with a new, state of the art zirconia crown — total cost $320. Due to a very complicated prescription, my last set of eyeglasses in the states cost me $1,200. Here I got the same for $420 — and it includes a one-year guarantee.”
Pedasi, Panama
Pedasí, the small town on Panama’s Pacific coast, is a four-hour trip from Panama City. The fishing town, sitting on the tip of the Azuero Peninsula, is best known for the expansive beaches just outside of town, regarded by many Panamanians to be among the nation’s most beautiful.
Pedasí, PanamaWith friendly locals and a tiny population, Pedasí is a place where the pace of life is slow and the people are laidback. Unspoiled, dark brown beaches are coupled with often stunning rock formations and warm Pacific waters. Large cattle ranches and corn fields surround the village.
“Our lives here are a far cry from the hectic existence we lived back in Florida,” says Jim Gault of the move he and his wife, Abbe, made.
The Gaults own their own home and car and Jim says, “I’m collecting my Social Security and we live comfortably on $2,000 a month, including several trips within Panama and one trip abroad per year. A beer is $1 to $2 a bottle, our car insurance is just $600 for the year and we have a housekeeper for just $15 for a half-day. I have two different gardeners and several handymen who help me with our home for $5 an hour.”
Panama provides good quality, affordable health care with clinics and hospitals tactically located in hubs across the country. And since the country is so small, it’s unlikely retirees will be more than an hour from a modern facility.
International Living’s Pedasi correspondent Jim Gault moved to this Pacific Coast paradise with his wife Abbe two years ago.
“Our health care needs are satisfied through a new clinic on the edge of town. Abbe spent $2 to see the doctor for a nasty knife cut on her finger and $2 for two stitches,” Jim says. “She had to get an antibiotic, too, which set her back just $8 with our Pensionado (retiree) discount. On New Year’s Day, she went to the local public hospital, 25 miles away, because she fell off a horse. The ER visit with doctor consultation, digital X-ray, pain medication, and a cast was only $2. A follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon was also $2. Doctors here give you their business card with their cell phone number and ask you to call or text them with any questions.”
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
If you are worried you don’t have $30,000 a year to retire, there are still spots where you can live well on a modest budget — like super-affordable, exotic Cambodia. For the third year in a row, Cambodia claims top spot in the cost of living category in IL’s Annual Global Retirement Index.
Phnom Penh, CambodiaWhile the cost of living in Cambodia may be one of the lowest in the world, the standard of living is high — leading to more retirees and expats choosing to make this country their home each year. A single retiree can live here for $1,150 a month…or less.
San Diego-native Tom Richter lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. “This country has made me feel 15 years younger, compared with living in the States,” Richter says. “I made the right decision coming here, and I know it. My check from Social Security comes to just over $1,000 per month. But in Phnom Penh that’s a sizable amount.”
His main expense is rent, which comes to $250 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a balcony in the center of the city. Utilities average around $80 to $100 a month, including water, electricity, garbage, cooking gas, and drinking water. About $200 a month is enough to keep his fridge filled with food, fresh fruit, and vegetables.
“What I like most is that there is a very local vibe that comes from people in Phnom Penh,” says Richter. “Apart from being extremely friendly and happy to meet foreigners, it is just really cool to be able to go to the street corner in the morning to grab a fresh coconut and a newspaper, while shooting the breeze with some of the tuk-tuk drivers.”
The Royal Phnom Penh Hospital is considered the best hospital in the country since it covers all areas of treatment and offers the highest-calibre accident and emergency room. The biggest demand by expats at the hospital is for annual health checkups. Packages for a comprehensive assessment cost from just $230 to $390 for a full day of tests and consultations.


The 5 Best Places to Retire Abroad on $30,000 a Year

InternationalLiving.com

Black and brown Americans face higher rates of infection and death due to COVID-19. There are myriad reasons why — stemming from policies and practices rooted in longstanding racism. The compounding of a lifetime of disparities affecting people of color, who are also family caregivers, is dangerous. Caregivers of color are at special risk of not only contracting the virus but also potentially passing it on to someone they live with or for whom they care.
The nationwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus has laid bare and heightened awareness of inequality that has long existed. But through recognition also comes opportunity to make real reforms that will directly benefit family caregivers of color, both during and after the pandemic.
Each community is informed by expectations, traditions and cultural norms that are critically important.
A first step is to recognize that the treatment of older adults — and the responsibility for their care — is part of the bedrock of many cultures. It is innate to who we are as people, as Americans who care for each other, and fundamental to many traditions related to ethnicity. While caregivers of color may be referred to as a single similar group, the experiences and cultural values, including how they choose to care for family — and where they care for them — vary widely.
Thanks to efforts by the Diverse Elders Coalition and AARP, it is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach won't address the challenges faced by diverse caregivers. Each racial and ethnic community has its own unique needs, responds to caregiving differently and is informed by expectations, traditions and cultural norms that are critically important. 
For example, research has shown us that African American and Hispanic caregivers are more often in high-intensity care situations than white and Asian American caregivers. Asian American caregivers often report feeling higher levels of emotional stress than African American or Hispanic caregivers.
For caregivers of color, the ability to care and advocate for their family member is often impeded by the larger context of institutional racism, implicit bias and inequities that affect people of color in every aspect of their lives. 
Caregivers are often encouraged to enroll in formal training or respite programs to receive support. But for caregivers of color living in under-resourced communities without such programs, where are they are supposed to turn? If programs do exist, but all the materials are in English when Spanish is the primary language of caregivers in the community, what good does that do?
What Should Be Done?
So, how can we help? Advocates must press for policies that address the challenges faced by Black and brown caregivers by lifting up their stories and experiences to promote more equitable solutions. Additionally, the voices of diverse family caregivers must be included in the research that informs health practice and policy, and the researchers doing that important work should reflect the communities they study. This helps promote policy and practice decisions that are truly representative.
Health care providers and hospital administrators must meet the needs of caregivers from all backgrounds, recognizing it is paramount to quality patient care. Learning what matters to older people and their caregivers is key to offering the highest quality care. Prioritizing staff training to support diverse caregivers, establishing new methods to measure progress, ensuring equal access to resources and requiring accountability can drive this change. It will take resources, but the potential to reduce disparities and improve patient outcomes outweighs any cost.
There is no denying caregiving can be hard — period. For Black and brown caregivers, there are significant institutional challenges and biases that must be considered, too. Only by recognizing these challenges and acknowledging each caregiver as an individual with unique experiences can we start to address historical inequities and begin to make a positive difference. 
Recognition is a requirement for action, and the time to take action is now.


One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Recognizing Diverse Caregiver Experiences

Rita B. Choula

Rani E. Snyder

In the last 10 years, Americans aged 60 and older have amassed debts quicker than all other age groups, partly because too few saved enough to retire comfortably. This series seeks to raise awareness about common debt traps and how to escape them

For some, leaving the workforce proves to be unfulfilling or not financially sustainable. We’ll feature stories about people who ‘unretire,’ including those who start a new business.

Making the choice to grow older at home requires careful consideration and planning to ensure you or your loved one can live safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible.

Debt Free

The Great Unretirement

A New Age for Aging in Place