Columnists Archives - Page 47 of 86

The Language of Expats

“What’s your name?” she asked. “Susanna.” “Where do you live?” I told her, and mentioned we’d been there for two years. “Oh,” she replied, “my mother lives in that neighborhood.”Realization dawned. “Yes, she’s my next-door neighbor,” I responded, beaming. We

Yoga And Writing… My Winning Combination For A Happy Expat Life

As I look around me, more and more people are turning to yoga for overall health and well-being and general fitness, me included. Several years ago, after working 14 years in the PR business, I hit a wall and was

Tales from a Spanish Village: Two Old Fools and Spanish Dogs

“I can’t concentrate! Why don’t the Spanish stop their dogs barking?” I was trying to write the next chapter for my latest Old Fools book, but the constant background noise was spoiling my concentration. There are plenty of dogs in

White Eggs and Ham, American I Am: Seeking A Yankee Easter In South Africa

“I wish I could find white eggs in South Africa” I complained to a South African friend one day. I had spent the previous week going from grocery store to grocery store, finding nothing but brown eggs. In the states

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

The continuing adventures of June Finnigan, her Man, and Farty Barty the cat. Benvenuto to all my Loyal and New Followers On the 2nd March, I returned to beautiful Tuscany, after a brief visit to the London Author Fair, loaded

Costa Rica vs. Ecuador, Which Country Is Your Best Retirement Option?

Part I – Immigration Year after year, International Living, Forbes, and hundreds of other publications release a list of the best places to retire. Do you believe that one retirement destination fits all? Where you spend your golden years is

Deconstructing Denglisch

Most Germans begin learning English in school at just six years old. This means that by the time they reach their teenage years, many Germans are fluent. Add to this the popularity of American films and music throughout this country,

Help! I’m Moving to Hong Kong – What to Expect

As an expat blogger in Hong Kong, I get all sorts of weird and wonderful requests to collaborate. Everything from joining a ‘baby formula selling’ business in South Africa to taking part in travel focus groups in the US, to

Spring In Portugal

I know spring is here because a little bird with a big voice welcomes the day now at five thirty every morning and keeps up his enthralling repertoire till around five fifty. At which point I continue to lie in

A Taste Of The Past

Moving Above Zero We’ve had an exceptionally harsh and lengthy winter here in Ontario, but hopefully it’s almost over now. You know Spring is in the air when you feel a mounting inner joy akin to sap rising, and you