Columnists Archives - Page 82 of 86

Driving in Portugal – My Top 5 Tips

Observing the standard of driving in Portugal as a passenger was stressful enough, but once behind the steering wheel the word stress took on a whole new meaning. My first driving experience was almost my last as I gripped the

The French Healthcare System – Is It Really That Great?

Our daughter, who lives in France, recently gave birth to her first child and our first grandchild. On the morning she went into labour we hurriedly threw some clothes into a suitcase along with some useless sundry items (as you

Moved Abroad, What Next? When The Sun Sets on Your Dreams

I cried when yet another of my close friends, who had taken early retirement, announced she was selling up and returning to the UK. The reason for her change of heart and even direction was due to disillusionment and boredom.

Missing Food From Back Home – Is It Just Me?

Is it just the British who yearn for their favorite foods and familiar products or do other nationalities suffer from similar cravings? Before you leap from your chair in denial I realize this may be a generalization and food-from-home cravings

Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Pursuing an Expat Career

It’s important to understand the challenges you will face if you decide to pursue an expat career. I always recommend making a list of these obstacles so you can develop a plan to address them. This will set you up

Christmas in England

A few days before my first English Christmas, I walked along wet cobbled streets, past the warmly glowing windows of the little honey-grey stone houses built right up to the sidewalk. The faint coal smoke trail lay a trace for

The Only American in the Village

Some expats like to completely blend in and not draw attention to their differences and I have been one of those expats. However, I have learned to make the most of my American background, because I enjoy how it makes

Tales from a Spanish Village – The Log Mountain

Back in England, I don’t remember thinking much about logs. Of course we had central heating, and although we had an open fire, we didn’t rely on it for heat. How different it is here in our tiny, mountain village

Tales from a Spanish Village – Two Old Fools Need Ear-Plugs

Why does everything always happen all at once? This month has been crazy, so crazy that I nearly forgot to write this column. In the UK, they used to call me Schindler because I’m an incurable list-maker, and this list

Tales from a Spanish Village – Two Old Fools Fight Over Thongs

I always thought writing would be a gentle pastime. Sitting at a desk, fingers busily tapping the keyboard, ideas flowing from mind to computer in a steady creative stream. But it’s not like that in our household. For a start,