When I told Reiner’s life story, the subject attracted a lot of attention and I thought I would elaborate a little more.. I explain everything in detail for those who know or don’t know.

Reiner is a German traveler who started to travel the world in 1992. When he saw this island of Utila, which is about 10 km long in Honduras, he said, I will not travel anymore, I will live here.. He took this decision when he only had enough money in his pocket to travel the world for 7-8 months.. Some moments from the conversation we had when we first met him;

– During this time, he never went to Germany are you back?
+ I’ve been on this island for 22 years. I’ve been to some cities in Honduras once or twice, that’s all.. I’ve never been back to Germany.
– Didn’t you have a family? How did you convince them?
+ There was. No way, even though they say you shouldn’t, I wanted to stay here and I’m happy with my life. My family has visited me 3 times in these 22 years and now they agree with me.
– How old are you?
+ I’m turning 50 next week.
– Have you ever been married?
+ No. I have girlfriends, but I don’t want marriage.
– Where do you stay?
+ I have a house with a small garden.
– How much is a house that will run like yours?
+ $14,000 here’ You can buy a land in Turkey and have a new wooden house built for 10,000 USD.
– How much is enough per month for a normal life?
+ If you don’t use alcohol and cigarettes, 130-140 usd is enough for electricity, water and food. .
– How about a residence permit?
+ You can pay 1,400 USD and get a lifetime residence permit for Honduras.
– Are you never bored?
+ I have a lot of hobbies and friends.
– Are you thinking of leaving the island?
+ I know I will die here one day.
– How long has this dog been with you?
+ 6 years. Until last year I had a horse. I went everywhere by horse for 7 years. We even went to the sea together, but he died last year.
– Do you have other animals?
+ I have other animals in my garden to benefit from their meat and eggs.

The island we are talking about is a classic Caribbean island with a population of 4-5 thousand.. A super safe and comfortable place where everyone is in do-it-yourself mode. Reiner has not used the internet or mobile phone for 22 years and does not watch television.. He walks barefoot, except for the boots he wears while working in the garden.. Sometimes, he can earn extra income by playing the guitar in the bars here.. He also says that because 90% of the island is forested, when he gets bored, he goes to the forest to pick a few more fruits such as banana, coconut, avocado or similar.. He says you can deposit 40,000 USD in Honduran banks and earn 9% annual interest and live here for the rest of your life. So you see, the man lives the fantastic life we ​​see in those movies.

When leaving “I have to go home to feed the animals,” he said, adding to the end; “I do not understand people. They’re ruining their lives to buy more”

So far on my facebook page When he shared it, dozens of people asked a lot about both Utila Island and Reiner.. I went to the beach I go to every day and saw Reiner again at the same time.. I got into the subject saying that you are becoming famous in Turkey and forwarded the questions to him.

– Is the residence permit given for 1,400 USD for everyone or for German citizens?
+ for everyone. When they apply to the relevant department here, they contact the police station in your own country and look at your record.. If you have a clean record, anyone can get a residence permit for 1,400 USD.
– Did you have money when you first came to this island?
+ I had enough money to travel the world for 7-8 months that’s all.
– What did you do next, how did you get along?
+ Diving course is very common here. I worked at a diving school and saved money. Later on, I opened a school with my friend.. we made a lot of money. And we earned a lot.
– But your lifestyle is not a rich life.
+ When I made money, I bought a mediocre plot of land.. The plot is big but I built a small house inside. ‘Cause I just sleep in it, why would I build a big house? I have animals, I have dogs, I have hobbies, they are enough for me. I don’t want more.
– Is it really possible to buy a land for 14,000 USD here?
+ You can find it for 10,000 USD if you want, but for an average nice plot, 14,000 USD is fine.. Then you can build any house you want out of wood for $10,000 depending on its size.
– How many languages ​​do you speak?
+ German, French, English and Spanish. I can also speak Italian and Portuguese if the other person speaks slowly. I also taught language courses when I first came to the island.
– Which animals do you have? What do you feed them?
+ I have dogs, chickens, pigs and cows. Every morning I collect the leftovers from the restaurants here and take them to the animals.. They are very well fed. They probably feed better than me.
– Yesterday you said you could deposit about 40-50k USD in the bank and get 9% interest.. What are the details of that job?
+ After getting a residence permit, you can open a dollar or euro account at local banks here.. You will then transfer your money there and convert it to Honduran currency.. And you can get 9% annual interest on the money in that account.
– That’s not what you did when you first came?
+ I didn’t, but I made good money with diving school.
– What did you do with the money?
+ I gave it to my friend, it’s gone.
– How so?
+ A good friend of mine here needed money. I gave him my 48,000 USD money. A week after giving it, the man died of a heart attack. Since there was no paper etc, the money I gave was gone.
– What did you do then?
+ I didn’t do anything. If your friend asks for money and you have it, you give it, that’s it.. Wealth is not about money.. For example, think that a Hollywood star cannot come here.. Even if he comes, he can’t sit down and have our conversation on this beach like we talk now.. Because he has guards with him and he is not comfortable. It opens with a special boat, enters the sea like that. Can’t enjoy the beach here. So they’re not the rich ones, it’s us.
– When I shared your life story on my facebook page yesterday, it got a lot of attention. I said I’m asking them again because there were dozens of questions, and showed the photo and comments on my facebook page.
+ (When the man saw all the comments, likes and 800,000 views on his photo, the first thing he said was “my dog, how nice it turned out”.) If this is the case, I said. If only 3-4 of the people who comment and show interest in the world have changed a little, it means we did a good job, the rest is not important.

We had a nice nice conversation. Then I will feed the animals, I have to go, I will play the guitar at the bar in the evening, come if you want.. I said ok I will come. As he was leaving, he said the following words, counting the 5 items one by one with his fingers.

“Money can’t buy health, friendship, happiness, good sleep and a real smile.”

2. After sharing, the interest increased even more.. In response to this, I thought I would both forward your questions to Reiner and give him a small gift.. Since the island is already small, we met on the beach at the same time.. You always wear a bandana, I said I think you like it. Protects me in the heat. He said I wet it first and then wrap it around my head, it’s like a natural air conditioner.. I will gift you a bandana, and the followers have a question. They are most curious about your house.. Can I come to your house tomorrow? Of course, he said, I’d be glad.

Let me give you some information about the island of Utila. Utila is an island with an average population of 5,000 thousand.. At least half of the people on the island are foreigners who have bought a house and lived here.. There is also a clinic and school on the island.. Many children I saw were able to speak both languages, since both English and Spanish were taught at school.. 6 months rainy season 6 months summer season. In the rainy season, it rains continuously for 3-4 weeks.. Another feature of the island is the cheapest place in the world to get a PADI diving certificate.. You can get your PADI diving certificate for 270 USD with 4 days of accommodation, theory and practical training.. Besides the island, 90% of which is green, there are other small and large islands.. You can also go to the fantastic island Water Cay in 10 minutes by boat.. And again, there are some very good areas to dive both with a scuba and with a mask only.. Utila island is expensive compared to Honduras, but cheap compared to Turkey. There are also communication services such as telephone and internet on the island.. People usually pass by by greeting you even if they don’t know you.. Especially those who live on the island.

Anyway, I went to Reiner’s house the next day.. The atmosphere of the house is really super. He designed and drew the plan of the house himself.. Then he had it done exactly according to that plan.. the garden is very big. He planted a lot of trees when he first bought the land.. When you enter through the garden gate, it is as if you entered the forest.. When you get home, all the windows are open.. The huge windows are all wood, not glass.. Even though it’s hot outside, the house is cool. He says the house is always cool because there are many trees in the garden.. First we fed the animals outside and then we started talking.

– I showed followers’ posts and likes. I said you’re famous.
+ (Laughing) Dude, you lift my butt so bad.
– (I gave you a red bandana.) I got it in Guatemala. Made by Maya women 🙂
+ I like it very much, I will wear this while playing the guitar in the evening.
– What is your education status? Did you go to college?
+ I didn’t go to college. I wanted art school but the place I wanted was paid and my family didn’t have any money. That’s why I went to the army after high school.
– What did you do before you started traveling the world?
+ I was a sculptor.
– Where and how did you learn?
+ I came back from the military and worked small jobs and saved money. Then I went to the art school I wanted and studied sculpture for 3 years.. I started earning money after learning the business completely. I made a lot of sculptures. Give me a stone your size and I’ll do exactly the same.
– Can you do your job here?
+ Unfortunately, there is no such stone on the island.
– What did you do next? How did you start traveling?
+ I earned money by sculpting for 4 years after art school. I did very good work, I made good money. I bought a motorcycle and traveled around Europe.. Then I took my bag and went on a world tour.. When I saw Utila, I thought I’d live here now.
– There are also beautiful islands in Thailand and the Philippines.. Did you go there? Why did you choose this place?
+ Yes, Thailand and the Philippines are beautiful. The islands are beautiful too.. At first I wanted to stay there. I started learning Thai but I couldn’t. A very difficult language. If you do not know the language of the place where you live, how will you make friends, how will you live? That’s why I chose this island instead of staying in Asia.

– Do you have a religious belief?
+ We had a religion class when I was studying in Germany. For 3 years we studied all religions including Buddhism. I’m not a christian or atheist. I am not affiliated with any religion, but I believe there is someone up there.
– Have you ever been to Turkey?
+ I have not.
– Do you know anyone Turkish?
+ I met in Germany.
– What do you think of your acquaintances?
+ Most of them were good.
– Have you ever been to Germany in these 22 years?
+ 6. I went once a year for official business. I didn’t go back.
– What do you miss most about Germany?
+ Nothing.
– Your family or friends?
+ Sometimes I miss my family but my friends are here now.
– What hobbies do you have?
+ I play the guitar and like to paint.
– How long did it take to make this painting?
+ 11 Months.
– Has it been bought or sold?
+ There is someone, he will probably come and buy it.
– You may not say it if you want, but for how many liras do you sell such a painting on average?
+ The work has no price, it is sold at any price. This is an average of $1,400.
– What time do you get up in the morning?
+ I wake up with the sun every day.
– Do you have any other work to do?
+ I’ve been going to paint the walls of the hotel ahead in the morning for a week .
– Like graffiti?
+ No. Normal paint whitewash. I’m out for food. Some evenings I also play guitar in the bar.
– Do you ever get sick?
+ (He touched his heel with his cigarette.) I walk barefoot, I’ve never been sick.
– If you have a serious illness?
+ I go to the clinic on the island. If he can’t look there, I’ll go to the hospital in the opposite city.. If something more serious happens, he will look for a plane ticket to Germany.
– Where did you get your dog?
+ I said I want a real German shepherd to go to the vet.. didn’t have it. Then when he found an original one he let me know and I went and got it. I never asked how much before. Because if you want a good dog, it doesn’t matter how much.
– Why don’t you buy a parrot? It really suits home.
+ Parrots are very social animals. If you get it, you should spend 4-5 hours with it every day.. If you don’t, the bird will get bored and it will be a shame. If you take a wife with you, he won’t be bored, but this time he will not take care of you at all.
– How many horses have you had so far, how many years have you ridden on this island?
+ I had 6-7 horses and for 16 years I went everywhere on horseback. I’m here.
– How many clothes do you have?
+ (pointing to a medium basket in the back) That’s it. After all, my man, the house is messy, sorry.
– Can my followers come to visit you?
+ Your friend is my friend.
– Do you want something from the next ones?
+ Just bring a smile.

You can watch Evi and Reinır’s performance while playing the guitar in the video;

Note 1: This article, video and photos are on websites and “newspapers” can not be used anywhere without permission.

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