Was a VP in a capital market group, left, now what?

This board seems more geared towards undergrads and entry level, but I figure I'd give this a shot anyway.

I spent all my post-undergrad years in a fixed income Capital Markets Group (would rather not specify in an attempt to remain anonymous). I started off on the banking/coverage side and eventually moved to the syndicate desk. I did well, got direct promoted early (was the youngest VP in the group) but really didn't like the business or the banking industry and decided to leave a pretty cushy job so I could travel.

I'm back now and am looking at my options. I don't want to work for IB again, but with such specialized product knowledge, no explicit trading experience (syndicate can fall in a grey area) and no MBA, how realistic is the prospect of switching to the buy side? The idea of going back to school for an MBA is highly unattractive. Too much money, too many classes I couldn't care less to take and too many terrible people I'd rather not spend time with.

Any thoughts? I've done a fair amount of thinking and talking to people, but still appreciate new and different perspectives.