David and Champa’s story of exploring the world combined with service to others is an inspiring example of how your sixties and beyond can become the most rewarding years of your life. It’s a perfect example of how to reinvent retirement (or almost retirement). David's storytelling is engaging and will inspire you to find your own North Star, whether that is more travel or joining the Peace Corps like they did, or striking out for unknown personal territory.
Debbie and Michael Campbell, The Senior Nomads
Not Exactly Retired is a fascinating story about the rewards of doing good while seeing the world. It shows how adventure can give new meaning to our lives and make them richer.
Jonathan Look, Jr., LifePart2
I want to be like David Jarmul when I grow up. His story of setting out on an adventure of service in his 60's is a reminder that the itch for adventure can be scratched during any season of life and, as David so perfectly stated, “the important choice is to actually make a choice, to act instead of drifting.” His story is the perfect combination of adventure, compassion and love and is sure to stroke the flames of wanderlust in those of us that carry that torch in our chest.
Kim Dinan, The Yellow Envelope
“Who in their right mind joins the Peace Corps in their sixties? What were we trying to prove to ourselves or anybody else?” David Jarmul ponders these perplexing questions during an 11,000 mile road-trip across America and his second tour with the Peace Corps, this time in Moldova — explorations that have both personal and historic appeal. He gently teases out a striking contrast between his service in Nepal 35 years ago and in Moldova in the age of Trump.
Marco Werman, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Togo
Host, The World on public radio
Not Exactly Retired disproves Thomas Wolfe's adage that you can't go home again. The poignant vignettes throughout this remarkably readable book demonstrate that you can serve again after you have "retired" from a rewarding career. Although Peace Corps service after sixty brings challenges including distance from family and friends, learning a foreign language and experiencing cultures vastly different than our own, there are countless opportunities for rewarding service and adventure.
Kevin F. F. Quigley
Former president, National Peace Corps Association
A delightful and instructive guide to self-renewal from which we all can learn.
Steve Olson, National Book Award nonfiction finalist
A thoughtful and heart-warming account of love, travel and service to others. As a Moldovan, I found David's observations of my country wise, insightful and encouraging. I am humbled by David and Champa's volunteering in my home country. They will never know how many lives they've touched or changed, or how many young Moldovans will always remember their names.
Stela Brinzeanu, Bessarabian Nights
