∞Why this Book∞ I wrote this book simply because I became sick and tired of being sick and tired. Another immigrant has been held hostage to fear and is about to make some of the same mistakes I and many others have made. Someone else is being lied to by friends and family and is about to listen to them without doing their research and not preparing properly before migrating. S/he is about to leave a fairly affluent and promising lifestyle back home to end up years later bankrupt, broke or homeless overseas because of inadequate information, absence of knowledge, lack of wisdom and poor choices. Another immigrant is in danger of getting lost on the highway and is about to be devoured by beasts dressed in human clothing. He has just landed, is unaware of his social location, has no sense of direction as to whether he is headed east, west, north or south and is about to be given the wrong directions leading him on the path of despair. One more alien is about to fall prey to financial and other predators lurking in ‘shark-infested’ waters overseas; while others sleep on their talents and abilities, which remain latent, and earning them nothing while they continue to live in a foreign land fat with opportunities. Still another is discouraged about not excelling abroad and is about to throw in the towel, making the sad mistake of jumping on the next plane back to his homeland in Tikki Takki Land at the wrong time. Others will continue to live abroad 10, 20 or more years and remain unsettled, while some continue to be undocumented, having no hope on the way forward. Still another unsuspecting man or woman is on the verge of marrying a ghost or demon overseas without knowing the heart and evil intentions of the foreigner s/he is about to commit to and is about to contract one of the fatal love diseases disclosed in this book. So this is it. I decided not to wait another minute. There is too much happening. It is time for someone to talk about some of these issues and help immigrants find ways to survive, escape if needs be and make it overseas. ‘Broad Way’ is filled with many confusing signs. Nevertheless, skilled and experienced ‘drivers,’ who know how to read and obey signs, will make it safely to their destination.
The objective of this book is simple. It is a survival guide for immigrants, intended in a lively and relatable manner to turn the searchlight on issues faced by many who emigrate overseas in search of opportunities and improved lifestyles. It is of relevance regardless of one’s place of origin, be it Africa, the West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Northern Ireland, India, Southern Russia, Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Korea, China, Western Europe, Afghanistan, Israel, or the indigenous peoples of Australia. Although written using examples of persons who are mostly of Caribbean or African origin, the book should prove useful as a guide to everyone, regardless of race, creed or origin. Issues such as cross-cultural marriage of undocumented persons to citizens of first world countries, especially citizens of the U.S.A., Canada or the U.K. will be disclosed here. Other matters are brought to the fore, such as reductions in living standards and lifestyle of the relatively affluent, following relocation. This book provides practical suggestions to correct common pitfalls and intends to help as many people as possible to determine whether the journey of migrating is the path for them, suggesting ways to relocate with as little, if any, turbulence in the process. In the pages that follow, the reader will be taken on a voyage, a definite theme throughout the book. The point will be reinforced that migration is a journey and should not be viewed or treated merely as a destination. The successful immigrant is the one who knows how to ‘drive’; doing so defensively, with maturity and patience, while paying careful attention to the road signs, which indeed, are many. Careless, irresponsible and intoxicated ‘drivers’ on the other hand, find themselves in collisions, hurting themselves and others in the process. We will first consider whether this is the journey for us; this is the goal of the first chapter. Then, in chapter 2, we will look at the preparation to be made before embarking on the trip, ensuring that our hypothetical ‘social’ travel documents are in place, and reinforcing the importance of being mentally and socially prepared. We will work on the excess weight in our bags, making sure to travel light. Our take-off, landing and passage through immigration and customs, which represents our initial point of entry, will be smooth. Later, in chapter 3, we will learn how to get settled correctly. In chapter 4, we will figure out the proper and best route to our destination, avoiding waste of fuel, time, energy and money. We will study the road code; learning the rules and laws to operate legally, safely, effectively and efficiently. Our journey may take us over rivers, bridges and through tunnels as shown in chapter 5. When that happens, we will take careful note, identifying how best to navigate accordingly. We will learn how to find safe escape routes when required. We will be so efficient that we will avoid unnecessary 'U-turns.' However, if it is necessary to turn around, we will do so with caution as shown in chapter 6. Our lives will not be typified by constant 'U-turns' however, because this smacks of instability, amateur behavior and lack of direction. Finally, after an exhilarating journey, we will be willing to engage the brakes, park and take our well-deserved rest at the end of the book in chapter 7. Join us on our journey to the advanced western world perceived by some foreigners as a land flowing with ‘milk and honey’ and where ‘money grows on trees and lines the streets.’ So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
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