Columnists Archives - Page 43 of 86

Do Expats Ever Stop Comparing?

Is it normal for expats to continuously compare everything to their home country? If so, does it ever stop? I’ve been an expat in Seville, Spain for nine years and still find myself wondering whether certain things would happen differently

South Africa Diaries: Part 1 – Why It Took 25 Years To Get To South Africa

Shattered dreams When I heard the news, on 11th November 1965, that Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) had declared UDI I was devastated. I had just been selected to represent the combined British tobacco companies in a party of cricketers to tour

“That’s Just Who I Am” – Assimilate Or Be Yourself?

Taking my inspiration from Bravo TV’s The Ladies of London this month. It’s a reality show starring two British women and five Americans, living the high life in London. A bit like the Real Housewives but without the face-slapping and

Tales from a Spanish Village: Two Old Fools and Cats

Until the Spanish begin to neuter their cats, there will always be a huge feral population. When we moved to El Hoyo in 2004, we were surprised at how many cats roamed the village, but I guess we’re used to

The New “Normal” Is Really Kinda Strange

I’m an American living in South Africa, writing this month’s column to you from France, before flying to Africa again with a layover in Addis Ababa. I love travel, but never expected to live in a foreign country, or make

A Month in the Life of an English Writer in Tuscany – June Reflections

The continuing adventures of June Finnigan, her Man, and Farty Barty the cat. Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers I have to say that June is my most favourite month of the year. It is my birthday month,

Clean Water Is Important

As a US citizen and resident for nearly six decades, access to potable, safe water is something I’ve always taken for granted. Of course I know that’s not true everywhere. I’ve seen the heartwrenching statistics, and the pleas from charities

Glut Is A Four-Letter Word: Nature’s Bounty In The Morvan

‘I hate plum jam!’ the heroine of Calendar Girls announces to the Women’s Institute AGM. She had a point. Faced with a surfeit of Nature’s Bounty, my generation reached unquestioningly for the jam pan and the Kilner jars. ‘Waste not,

The Kids In America

Sometimes I wonder how the expat life is being interpreted by, not only my son, but the British kids of families here in Maryland where we live. The journey for many of them is fleeting – those who are under

That’s Queer! The Evolution Of Language And Belief

Toronto is currently hosting WorldPride 2014, the now internationally recognized celebration of the human right to sexual diversity. The ten-day festival boasts concerts, art shows, parades and parties – LOTS of parties. It’s the first time North America has won