 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are quite tight conditions attached to repatriation - if you were injured in a ski resort and then adequately treated in a local hospital, it would not, as I understand it, then pay to get you home to the UK.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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We are just about to book another 'final' ski trip.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks all - I wrote a reply yesterday but for some reason it didn't register.
At least I now know there are options. I might have to stop skiing without a guide off-piste, or just risk it. No chance I'll stop skiing if I can physically do it. I'm going twice a week to the Gym.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Origen wrote: |
It's really pretty simple! Even people for whom skiing is an important part of their life can be stopped by physical constraints. This might be an illness, injury, or frailty (e.g. osteoporosis) which makes skiing unwise because a bad injury would interfere with so much of the rest of their lives. Or more generalised lack of muscle strength or stamina. However many squats and sit ups you do, your body will age. Will power and determination will get you only so far.
Given what "ageing" is, all these buggeration factors become more likely as people get older. Denying this is a route to dissatisfaction.
There's an important mental component too, of course and some people are better than others at accepting the limitations of age. So some will enjoy going with friends for some gentle pottering in good weather and a very good lunch, whereas others would see this as too much of a come-down from their erstwhile prowess. This isn't limited to skiing, obviously. I sail and have a lot of sailing friends. Some will accept that, with age, they need to avoid long trips and/or heavy weather. Some will not - if they can't race competitively, they're really not interested.
It's not a matter of "age". Of course there's no arbitrary age where people should stop skiing. But the accumulation of incapacity (which is a synonym for ageing!) makes it more likely that keen people who decide they must stop will be in their 70s or 80s, not their 30s or 40s. Going on a mountain holiday where you have a short private lesson one day and getting paid to write about it proves nothing!! These "look at me, I walked on the wing of an aircraft at 80" articles annoy me. |
I'm equivocating as to whether to agree or disagree with you. Firstly, you're right in that, clearly, there are physical constraints as we age. However, there is also the complete converse which is IF you 'power through' some of those constraints you find that they aren't so real after all. I still play competitive volleyball with much younger team mates. I find that, yes, as I'm warming up I'm aware that there are creaks and aches that didn't exist 30 years ago ... but when I start playing I'm not aware of them. I'm not as good as I was 30 years ago but I'm still good enough to earn my place in the team I'm playing for now. There is a quote that goes "We don't stop playing because we age, we age because we stop playing". There's quite a lot of evidence now arising which suggests that this is very true; the body seeks to minimise energy usage so 'unused' parts of it are neglected in terms of repair and energy expenditure whereas muscles and joints which are used are repaired much faster.
What all of this means, according to a medic friend of mine who specialises in 'whole life' optimisation, is that for most people sometime in their 80s they will start to degrade significantly and that there is little that can be done about this. However, upto that point how you live and how much energy you put into staying active has a huge impact on your health and capability. Or, to put it more simply, ignore that ache/stiffness and just go do it anyway ... you'll not only feel you will be better for it.
Or to put it more poetically still 'Rage against the dying of the light' !
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I know people who "rage against the dying of the light" and it's sometimes rather like (less poetically) "constantly moaning". Being angry because you are ageing, regretting the things you can't do any more, the people you don't have any more, the terrible things that go on "in the world today" which are so different to the golden shores of youth.
I overheard two moaning old folk in the waiting room at the doctor's surgery, this morning. "People used to leave their babies in prams outside shops" one said "And that was in living memory".
Most of us old folk live lives of a quality of which our ancestors could only dream. And still we moan. Like many of my friends I have health problems which would have killed me, or condemned me to a very limited life, 50 years ago. We have hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery, very clever cardiac medication and (if we're contemplating skiing) healthy incomes. And still we moan and regret and feel ourselves hard done by.
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This reminds of our Honeymoon in Whistler. It was a powder morning and the wife was just sinking in her blades so went off to the roundhouse for a coffee while we floated around and she met up with an 86 year old who was sitting watching everyone out side but he discussed how he tried to do at least a couple of slopes each day. He looked great for his age.
The more people that are active in the world the better place it will be.
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| Origen wrote: |
I know people who "rage against the dying of the light" and it's sometimes rather like (less poetically) "constantly moaning". Being angry because you are ageing, regretting the things you can't do any more, the people you don't have any more, the terrible things that go on "in the world today" which are so different to the golden shores of youth.
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If those are the only people you know, your life is poorer for that.
I’m meeting a guy who’s in his 80’s for dinner this evening. He’s planning some multi-week cycling tour, self-supported, solo. He’s been doing that all his life. He’s still doing that! (I known he’s going to try to persuade me to join him on his tour, but I have other obligations instead). Of course, he’s a bit of a genetic freak to be almost injury free at his age. But he smartly surround himself with younger people so he doesn’t have to listen to those constant moans.
My old man is also one such genetic freak. But one day he found he outlived all his friends! He didn’t make plan for that. 
I do my part in “supporting” these older genetic freaks. I get from them some wisdom of life, but I also get to see what I’ll be up against when I get to their age. I may not be as lucky as they. But at least I get to plan for both ways
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@abc,
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If those are the only people you know, your life is poorer for that
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I'm sure she knows people who don't fall into that category and also almost certainly exempts herself.
I look on myself as a part-time moaner. 
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| Origen wrote: |
| "People used to leave their babies in prams outside shops" one said "And that was in living memory". |
There have been an awful lot of changes within my living memory, and your waiting room colleagues may have been older than me. When I was young milk was delivered in glass bottles by horse and cart, all trains were pulled by steam engines, and there were only two TV channels which were black and white (and few of us had them at all). And no doubt my mother left me in my pram outside the grocer's when she bought food.
And anyone who lived to my age now was on "borrowed time", beyond the average life expectancy. Some things have got better!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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There is no logical current reason why people wouldn't leave their babies outside shops. Or allow their 8 year olds to walk to a school half a mile away along quiet roads. Or go up to the corner shops for a few bits and pieces needed for tea. Other than the fact that an 8 year old going alone to a shop would likely be terrified by being questioned by a store detective (happened to my grand-daughter, out for her first solo trip, to a shop which she could walk to without even stepping off the pavement).
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If those are the only people you know, your life is poorer for that
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Happily they're not. Like the 91 year old skipper of the boat I crew on (we took it across the Channel to France this year). He has had a hip replacement, open heart surgery and successful major surgery for bowel cancer. He never moans.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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That's the whole point. He used to take on big challenges and was a highly competitive top dinghy helmsman. He got his boat and crew into safety the terrible night of the Fastnet disaster (he wasn't competing, just cruising). Until recently he raced in the local sailing club races, and very often won. Having won our last race, a few years ago, we decided to retire on a high, with the engraved glasses to prove it. But he still has those instincts - dodging around to avoid the worst of a contrary tide, even if we're in absolutely no hurry at all. If the wind fails to cooperate, he uses his carefully looked-after chunky diesel engine.
Now he loves being able to get out just for 24 hours between storms, pick up a buoy or drop an anchor somewhere, perhaps have a snooze, and enjoy a good dinner cooked by me and/or our third crew member and a bottle of wine. Probably with a brandy digestif. I know other sailors who, once they could no longer race competitively, just couldn't be arsed. Spent a few years letting their boats slowly deteriorate, hardly getting out, and feeling regretful about their golden olden days and telling taller and taller stories.
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| snowball wrote: |
| It is a couple of years off yet, but does anyone insure over 80s to ski off piste without a guide? My ski Club of GB insurance seems to end at 80. |
What about Carré Neige?
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You know it makes sense.
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There’re all kinds of people. So all kind of old people!
Some will moan and regret. Others will enjoy what they can. The point of the article (which we’re drifting away from) was “oldies” can still be adventurous! Go skiing, try alpine slide for the first time, whatever. How well they ski doesn’t really matter.
There’s nothing wrong staying home and read. But if the body is able, and the mind so desired, do more.
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he still has those instincts - dodging around to avoid the worst of a contrary tide, even if we're in absolutely no hurry at all.
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Isn’t that “dodging” the fun bit of racing?
I used to white water kayak. Not any more (too far to drive to do it). But when I’m in current in my sea kayak, I still take advantage of eddies and pools. I can simply power through them, and I know I benefit from the exertion. Still, I’d rather “dodge” around, only to do extra paddle later just to work off excess energy. It’s part of the “game” to make the activity fun.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I'm insured through Nationwide flexplus account. Off-piste only with guide. Two trips booked for this winter. Aged 81, I love skiing and feel much safer off-piste than on crowded blue runs.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I take a group of 'oldies' skiing each year.
This season they'll be 77-81.
Two don't ski now, but did for many, many years. Four still do.
They've all been skiing for many years. One couple started in the mid 60's, the other two couples in 1980. All have been hooked ever since.
And yes, they do take it easy, but have a two week luxury break that has some skiing, long lunches, a day off if the weather is bad and a chef / driver / carer (me  )
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| ciderinsport wrote: |
| And yes, they do take it easy, but have a two week luxury break that has some skiing, long lunches, a day off if the weather is bad and a chef / driver / carer (me ) |
That’s the way to do it.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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My point, which I obviously failed to make coherently, is that when you can no longer do something which has given you immense pleasure it is wiser, and kinder to yourself, to enjoy the happy memories and your consciousness of how very fortunate you were than to feel hard done by because you can't do it any more. It's really a very simple point. I have great memories of our place in the Alps, where we spent four months a year for many years. It was quite wonderful and shared with many family and friends. It was also a big success financially! My life NOW is hugely enriched by having had that experience. I had several winter holidays in the Alps after giving up skiing - and it was wonderful being with family in the mountains, watching the frantic activity getting the kids out to their lessons, enjoying the great views and visiting a favourite restaurant for lunch. But I was aware that icy pavements were making me anxious about falling, and that at altitude, and in the cold, my cardiac deficiency was more obvious. So now I plan to go to the mountains when the pavements are NOT covered in ice. Will still be wonderful - I've adapted, and am fortunate to be able to make those choices.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Origen, I'm sure your point was well understood, it's merely that not everybody feels able to attain the level of perfection which you counsel and which you yourself seem able to achieve.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Origen wrote: |
| There are quite tight conditions attached to repatriation - if you were injured in a ski resort and then adequately treated in a local hospital, it would not, as I understand it, then pay to get you home to the UK. |
I don't know why people get so hung up on repatriation. If you're fit enough to be released from medical care for most people it's a matter of buying extra seats on an off peak flight or catching a train back. I guess there is the remote chance you're releasable but only under full paramedic care or somesuch.
Obviously if you're needing brain surgery from your Galapagos cruise or somesuch then things get a bit more complex.
On the moaning point I've been calling my mother out on the litany of small irrelevant moans she can produce ( and she isn't generally a bitter old woman). I think she's feeling her physical stamina dip a bit and hence her world is getting smaller ( or she's fearing the same) so small things can assume oversized proportions.
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it's merely that not everybody feels able to attain the level of perfection which you counsel and which you yourself seem able to achieve
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Accusing me of perfection is unreasonable and to misunderstand the point I'm failing to make. It's not about perfection (and perfectionism is generally a damaging personal quality in my book) it's about acceptance and balance. If, when I am dying, one of my kids urged me (like Dylan Thomas to his father) to "rage against the dying of the light" I'd tell them to piss off.
"Don't leave me" must be about the most terrible thing anyone ever said to a dying person.Coming to terms with the inevitable decline of age is a work in progress. It's finding a balance between giving in too easily and "raging against the dying of the light". Doing things which take some effort, adapting to one's different abilities and constraints, but not blaming yourself, or the world, when things change. Somebody said
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IF you 'power through' some of those constraints you find that they aren't so real after all
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Well, sometimes. And sometimes not. When I decide that something, whether it be a strenuous holiday or cleaning the windows, is something I could still, just about, physically do requires just too much "powering through" to be truly enjoyable, then opting out is the wise choice. Opting out, but doing something else (even, despite the scorn of abc , sitting in a comfortable chair reading a good book) makes sense. Especially if one can genuinely rejoice for the friends who ARE still skiing, rather than feeling envious.
Although I no longer have an apartment in the Alps, other holiday possibilities open up. One thing I can still do is drive long distances. I've long wanted to visit the Outer Hebrides so I did - drove up to Oban and got on a ferry, rented a simple shepherd's hut just a short walk to the communal camp loos and showers. The sun shone, it was quite wonderful. Some people simply can't cope without their own "en-suite" but I'm fine with shared facilities, provided I have my own room. I can't abide the thought of going on a "coach holiday" or a "cruise" but - who knows? In future, as I get older and my capabilities decline, both might begin to appeal. 
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@Origen, sorry, but what you are talking about is not necessarily the dictionary definition of perfectionism, but the ideals which you promote, namely
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acceptance and balance
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and
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Coming to terms with the inevitable decline of age
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and
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finding a balance between giving in too easily and "raging against the dying of the light". Doing things which take some effort, adapting to one's different abilities and constraints, but not blaming yourself, or the world, when things change.
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and
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When I decide that something, whether it be a strenuous holiday or cleaning the windows, is something I could still, just about, physically do requires just too much "powering through" to be truly enjoyable, then opting out is the wise choice.
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and
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sitting in a comfortable chair reading a good book) makes sense. Especially if one can genuinely rejoice for the friends who ARE still skiing, rather than feeling envious.
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and even, heaven forfend,
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I'm fine with shared facilities,
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All of these are effectively counsels of perfection, to which I, for one, cannot always even aspire, let alone achieve. Seemingly you can - good for you!
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| Origen wrote: |
| There are quite tight conditions attached to repatriation - if you were injured in a ski resort and then adequately treated in a local hospital, it would not, as I understand it, then pay to get you home to the UK. |
Hubby was adequately treated in a French hospital, but was still provided with assistance to get home by our insurers.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Origen wrote: |
| My point, which I obviously failed to make coherently |
Your point, which you belabored so much to "make", is well understood but largely ignored by many. Because while it pertain to old age, is tangential to the discussion.
For many, the concept of accepting one's limitation is an empty one, until you can find joyous activities to replace those you can no longer do. The "gang of oldies" in the article were doing exactly that, exploring activities they haven't done recently yet still physically capable of doing despite of their age.
At the same time, many other snowheads who are still able to ski to a high level simply said they will continue to do so till the time they can no longer, at which point I expect many would find other activities appealing to them individually.
Your continue railing against all those, and the preaching of "acceptance" in abstraction is a form of moaning in my view.
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Perhaps best to 'live and let live' and not preach too much about it. We have no idea what might be around the corner that might just turn us into moaning Minnie's. I find a good moan can make me feel better sometimes.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
I don't know why people get so hung up on repatriation. |
I don’t know why people get so hung up on insurance in general. They insure their washing machines and hairdryers. They insure their no claims discounts. They have medical insurance that allows them two visits to a consultant annually - instead of paying for those visits.
You should only ever insure for things that you cannot afford to lose. Like your house. Your entire contents (no claiming for a £250 loss). The damage you do when you crash into somebody’s car. That sort of thing. Otherwise only the insurance company wins.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| abc wrote: |
For many, the concept of accepting one's limitation is an empty one, until you can find joyous activities to replace those you can no longer do. The "gang of oldies" in the article were doing exactly that, exploring activities they haven't done recently yet still physically capable of doing despite of their age.
At the same time, many other snowheads who are still able to ski to a high level simply said they will continue to do so till the time they can no longer, at which point I expect many would find other activities appealing to them individually.
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It's an interesting thought experiment. I've often thought when injured that being in a ski resort and not skiing is the definition of frustration and thus the last thing I'd ever want to do when no longer able. But as I've got older and tried to do some thinking about what is "enough" for me (and there's a whole world of para-psychology around what you aspire to in later life around these days ) then maybe some of the things that aren't actually skiing are worthwhile in themselves whether that's early morning walk for baguettes on crunchy snow, a beer on a terrace or balcony, alpenglow, watching choucas soar and swoop. Pretty hefty pricetag to watch some crows mind.
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@KSH has put forward a list of what she infers are the "principles" on which I try (by no means always successfully) to live. She has called them "counsels of perfection". That phrase is always used pejoratively but yes, I accept that they are objectives, goals, not always achieved but something to strive for, and yardsticks against which I judge my responses when I have got it wrong and feel miserable. The ways in which I try to work out how to respond to the buggeration factors in life.
@abc suggests that some people might have the goal of continuing to ski until they could no longer do so "to a high level". That would be a perfectly legitimate goal but one very different to my own philosophy. The last several times I skied I was decidedly crap. And it was still good. Equally, some people might prefer not to go on a holiday unless they could have their own en-suite bathroom. Absolutely fair enough, and of course I like to have my own bathroom, other things being equal. Who wouldn't? But like being able to ski to a high level, it's not a holiday deal-breaker for me though having my own bedroom is, these days.
It would be interesting if, instead of rubbishing my own "philosophy of ageing" (to give it a rather grand title) people put forward their own alternative approaches.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Origen wrote: |
It would be interesting if, instead of rubbishing my own "philosophy of ageing" (to give it a rather grand title) people put forward their own alternative approaches. |
I felt I have no need to repeat what's in the original article quoted, which quite nicely captured rather brilliantly my own approach.
Namely, do what I can while I enjoy. Explore other options when I absolutely can not any more.
Has nothing to do with moaning, except perhaps during the (hopefully brief) period when I'm not able to do one thing but haven't yet found another to replace it with.
Many others had put forth theirs also, which you took to attack.
You're free to put forth your approach, which you had done repeatedly. But you could have done so without trashing every other approach different from yours!
So take your own advice, stop "rubbishing" other people's philosophy of ageing.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Origen,
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It would be interesting if... people put forward their own alternative approaches.
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Fair enough. Probably the best description of my approach is just to muddle through as best I can and not assume that any of my strategies will necessarily be a good fit for other people. But that's just the way I am: even when I was paid to give advice to other people, I had to be 100% sure of my facts before doing so and I invariably prefaced my advice with, 'that's what I would do, please feel free to follow my advice or not, it's up to you.' Unless, of course, I was advising them not, for example, to backdate a document - that would stray into 'sack the client' territory.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| James the Last wrote: |
| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
I don't know why people get so hung up on repatriation. |
I don’t know why people get so hung up on insurance in general. They insure their washing machines and hairdryers. They insure their no claims discounts. They have medical insurance that allows them two visits to a consultant annually - instead of paying for those visits.
You should only ever insure for things that you cannot afford to lose. Like your house. Your entire contents (no claiming for a £250 loss). The damage you do when you crash into somebody’s car. That sort of thing. Otherwise only the insurance company wins. |
Absolutely agree. An electing a high excess is usually a good bet in your favour (except possibly with hire car bandits). I'm probably overinsured for travel medical for most situations but necessary because I do visit the US.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@abc, whose philosophy of ageing have I attacked? Please be specific.
@Dave of the Marmottes, agree on insurance. I recently got so cross with the big increases in my house insurance that I sacked off the contents insurance (on which I've never claimed). If my house burned down, I'm insured for rebuilding and that would be such a disaster and take so long that the loss of my mainly-rubbish furniture and a heap of God Knows What in the attic would almost be a relief. Someone suggested it would cost a lot to replace all my toiletries. No, it wouldn't. I can't understand why people insure washing machines or microwaves. And surely nobody insures hair dryers? All those policies which the shop staff get such big bonuses for selling.
But I don't think concern about repatriation costs is entirely misplaced, in the wider context of health insurance in general. One is often "discharged from hospital and free to go home" well before it's a possibility to just get a train to the airport and jump on a cheap flight. Even a leg in a big support thing can mean a wheelchair, two seats on a plane and private transfers both ends. When my perfectly fit OH had to go home on the second day of a ski holiday in La Plagne because of a disaster at home (roof blew off) we were very glad the insurance company instantly arranged, and paid for, him to get home as quickly and easily as possible.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Origen wrote: |
| It would be interesting if, instead of rubbishing my own "philosophy of ageing" (to give it a rather grand title) people put forward their own alternative approaches. |
I have to confess that, at the moment, I'm very much focussed on continuing to do what I've always done ... but to accept that I can't do it to quite the same level (generally).
However, I don't yet have grandchildren, my children are grown, I still work full time and I'm still fit and strong. I am also naturally very competitive.
I admire your serenity and grace but, personally, I lack it at the moment. Perhaps in time it will come or I will be forced to accept changes. That said, I love a good book, great food and wine and time with friends too.
My 'problem', if you like, is that I'm still, and hopefully this doesn't sound too boastful, good at my two main sports activities; volleyball and motorcycle racing. I can still compete and win at a reasonably high standard. As such, I don't think I've really addressed the inevitability of age degeneration to be very honest.
@abc, I thought that was a rather unprovoked attack; I didn't take @Origen's posts as rubbishing anyone else's philosophies at all
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I didn't take @Origen's posts as rubbishing anyone else's philosophies at all
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Thankyou, @Blackblade. I have just read through my posts again, and don't think I did. Ironically many of the more negative points in this thread are from @abc. It helps me that I've never been very good at anything, nor beautiful. So one can't mourn the passing of what one never possessed. I also don't think I've so much as "given advice" as tried to set out what works for me, and the way I strive (not always successfully by any means) to deal with ageing.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Origen You made me think and I found what you wrote quite inspirational ...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, what’s interesting about contents insurance is that raising the excess from £100 to £1,000 makes a material difference to the premium. Raising it from £1,000 to £5,000 makes almost no difference as insurance companies assume that claims above £1,000 are pretty much total loss, i.e. fire.
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raising the excess from £100 to £1,000 makes a material difference to the premium
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Of course - because an excess of £1000 makes it unlikely that any claim will make much sense. I don't think I've got many things worth £1000 in my house!
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Our philosophy, me 66 & OH 72...
"Use it or loose it"
I'm just finishing up 2 weeks in Brazil, Wing Foiling and Kitesurfing and the kiting has taken a back seat the past two years whilst I try and concentrate on wing foiling, and that has been majorly detrimental to my kiting this trip and I was a bit of a liability to myself on the water with a fair few incidents that would not have necessarily happened 5 years ago 
I was one of the oldest dudes on the water still managing stuff whilst kids (<35 yrs) were still learning, but the body is certainly taking longer to recover from the big hits, which happen all too frequently in 30knts +.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@abc, whose philosophy of ageing have I attacked? Please be specific.
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Perhaps this should be a private conversation. But you’ve implied in many different ways that people who still aspire to high level of activities will likely end up disappointed when their body limitations prevents them to do so. You call them moaners. If that doesn’t count as rubbishing other’s ageing philosophy, I don’t know what it is.
Your way is probably suitable for you. But there’re others who are “genetic freaks” as one of my friend. They would be able to actually perform to a high level even at advanced age!
Then, there’re the vast number of us who are in between who can still perform to some reasonable level even if not quite what we used to. No, we don’t all get disappointed and moan about our lost abilities. It is precisely that aspiration to some ‘standard’ that got us out the door on rainy days on a bike or stormy days on our skis. And with luck, some of us may even keep on skiing past the age most had gone to nursing homes.
I’m not naturally a competitive person. But I do think a bit of competitiveness can be a good motivator, particularly for older people who had seemingly achieved everything in life and now having no more external motivator at all. Serenity may suit some people, it doesn’t necessarily suits all.
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Further to my comments about being out in Brazil...
A Brazilian I was talking to was telling me about the benefits of being "Idoso"*.
And sure enough was superb at the airport last evening.
If you're over 60 you can use priority lanes, so at checkin with our kite board bags we went straight to the front of another line.
And then better still, at the gate for boarding we were first on before business and premium 
But the sign for idoso was none too flattering, but was quite funny to be seen by all the other kiters etc in their various queues, and there were quite a few who like me on last year's trip had no idea you could do this if only 60.
Though think it would be even better if they had stretches of water which were for idoso's as at times was far worse than a crowded piste and way more dangerous!
*elderly
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