Sabbaticals: Off the Grid

The cooking area was outside near the water buffalo pen and featured a wood stove with embers glowing and a water barrel. When the two finally announced they were returning to their village, they convened an impromptu market, showing us products of their handiwork stored in large sacks strapped to their backs-bags, scarves, hats, and various articles of clothing. There is no complicated formula to calculate a period of reduced pay, and no financial incentive to cut the sabbatical's length by requiring that it be partially or fully self-funded.