So, not all that long ago I completed my 'gazillionth' flight with my small person to another country. No. Mean. Feat. Actually, as I began writing this post, I was still 'up in the air.' It was my husband's turn to sit next to the mini-tornado, so with an aisle between us (I like to think of it as the Berlin Wall) apart from tapping on the keyboard, I was lazily fantasizing - just for a minute - I was one of those single 'fancy-free' travellers with the luxury of nodding off with the rest of the plane at any given moment (after I'd eyeballed a movie and enjoyed a small glass of crisp Sav Blanc, of course)! My 'apparently' far-fetched fantasy brought to an abrupt halt, sooner than I could wave down the drinks cart! If you're a mum or dad who's had the pleasure of travelling with children, you'll probably get my drift....if you are reading this as a single traveller - thank your lucky stars and order another beverage, pronto! So, now that my in-flight passenger is the ripe old age of three - given our expat circumstances - she's probably what you might call a 'seasoned traveller' of the miniature variety and (newbies will be thrilled to hear) she's pretty good at it -- (which just quietly, by now she'd really want to be)! We've gone from this: To this! Mind you, I am wondering if I should be concerned that she views the in-flight 'safety card' as one of her favorite stories? ("Those big, bouncy slides really are for a special occasion!" said no mum ever....oh except me!) There's no two ways about it, mostly, flying with a baby/toddler is a frazzled affair…. the law of averages suggests flying with any child under the age of three has to be a little on the hairy side, right? Sitting in the doctor's waiting room not all that long ago, a woman walked in looking slightly flustered with an unmistakeable sense of urgency....she didn't have an appointment but was desperately wanting a few words with the doctor on getting through a long flight with a toddler and clearly hoping for a miracle! I didn't like to tell her there's no single cure for the symptoms of in-flight delirium. If you are lucky enough to be flying sans children, you may notice (if you care to glance up from that best-seller you're already engrossed in) many parents stumbling on board, loaded down with Dora backpacks, nappy bags, valium(?)… mostly, they'll be toting that glazed-over look (which i'm sure is not just due to a lack of sleep (or valium). They're desperately trying to ignore the stares from other passengers, boring a hole in their back, as they ever so tentatively make their way to their designated prison cell seat trying to discreetly tuck baby under their arm...out of sight. (Remaining invisible usually an impossible task should you have a toddler who adamantly decides she would like to wheel her princess suitcase All. The. Way. down the aisle - weaving recklessly, at snail's pace, of course). There's panic written all over your face (and most likely the rest of those faces seated within tantrum-throwing distance). Is little Johnny Junior going to cry inconsolably for the entire journey, while you pace frantically up and down the aisle, rocking and smiling through clenched teeth as he unleashes his own turbulence? The 'glazed over' look comes in handy when your small person kicks the back of the passenger's chair for the umpteenth time…(you know it's only a matter of time before 34 B turns around with a plastic knife and threatens on-the-spot murder). Taking deep breaths and shutting down can be an excellent way of pretending you are anywhere but here, squashed like a sardine with your tiny pocket of terror and no easy sane way of escaping. The glazed-over look also comes in handy when your small person decides he or she urgently needs the toilet, just when the seat belt light flashes on….(how things have changed….these days I don't even take my shoes off on a long flight…no use getting too comfortable is there)! I've said it before, I'll say it again - an over-tired toddler is a little like trying to control someone who's had too many Mimosas and won't listen. "Not there, sit down, no jumping, stop shouting, don't point!" Well -- no one said traveling the world was easy, did they?! :) Keep your eye on the end prize and before you know it, that mile high madness will be a distant memory. So, if you're about to embark on a journey of epic proportions across the sky; having flown with child, solo, more times than I can count....I've managed (somehow) to store a few tips up my wine-soaked sleeve when it comes to flying with children. #Tip 1: Short or long haul flights In my humble opinion, short haul flights are often harder than long haul flights…(believe it or not). (I'd probably define short haul as anything less than 5 hours.) Why? On a long haul flight, the aircraft is usually bigger and in the air, space is your best friend. Whether its leg space or aisle space, you can't get enough with a small person at your side. Short flights are often crowded, noisy (no one's sleeping) and service is limited, so getting help is not always readily available. Whereas on a long flight you can settle in and get comfortable, staff are usually helpful with things like putting cumbersome bags in the overhead locker, fetching bottles of warm milk, watching bub while you make a toilet pit-stop and anything else in between. If they're not, be bold and ask for help. #Tip 2: Where to sit? OK, so my theory on this one…. if you are flying long haul during the day, sit up the front where they have the baby bassinets (otherwise known as 'bulk-head' seats) - even if your baby isn't sleeping or is too big for the bassinet - you can pop them in it to play and the extra foot room is handy for them to sit (when the seat belt sign's off and if the Flight Attendants permit). NB: Some strongly advise against this, but if not and it's a long flight and junior's happily playing with some toys at your feet, it's a lot better than chasing him or her squealing up and down the aisle! (You can also breathe a sigh of relief that junior won't spend half the flight kicking the back of the seat in front of you. BONUS!) If you are travelling overnight and your baby is too big for the bassinet do not get the front row. The arm-rests have the television monitors inside them so won't lift up. Absolutely mortifying when you go to lie junior down and stretch him across your lap and the neighbouring seat! All the other seats' arm-rests behind the bulk-head generally do lift though, which is great for sleeping if he/she has a paid seat or you are lucky enough to get a spare seat. ALWAYS ask plead, grovel for a spare seat. Usually the oh-so-kind check-in staff will try to make your flight as comfortable as possible for you AND the other child-free passengers. It pays to arrive early to check in, before the plane fills up, so you get a better chance of grovelling having the seats you want. Tip #3 Beating jet lag There are many theories about beating jet lag….some stand by sticking your children to their normal sleep schedule, while others say it makes more sense to adjust to the time zone in the country you're going to, during the flight. I can't vouch for everyone but when we travel a 12 hour flight from Hong Kong to the UK, we always try to put ourselves in their time zone. At least if you arrive in the morning UK time, you can stay awake for a few hours if you've been sleeping in-flight...and have an afternoon nap before bedtime. Granted! The odds on this for many little people are on the slim side - different time zones are horrendous no matter which way your sleepy eyes look at it. In the past, on trips from Hong Kong to the UK, we've tried to stop Ava going to sleep in the afternoon we've arrived, hoping she would go straight to sleep at bedtime, only to have it seriously backfire and have her awake half the night or launch into horrifying nightmares because she's been awake so long. Usually no matter what you do it can take 3 to 5 nights to get settled, sometimes longer. Hence a week away somewhere in the opposite time zone with kids is not really going to be the relaxing family break you may have imagined. Re-think that trip to the Bahamas! Arriving in daylight makes beating jet lag a little easier. And having a day to catch up without being on the go is always a good idea. Tip #4 Night or day flight? When I travel to Australia (an 8.5 hour flight with a 2-3 hour time difference) everyone always asks whether it's best to travel at night or during the day? For me it depends on the child's age. Night is great if they are still not up for entertaining themselves during the day. Probably any time before the age of two, if possible, I would be opting for the night trip. A long day flight can leave you counting down the excruciatingly looong minutes as you pace up and down the aisles with a toddler who wants to practice his or her newly acquired 'balancing on two legs' skills! (This is great if you're looking to network and keen to get to know the entire plane - hand out those business cards!!) But gee, it's a killer! After the age of 2 and a half, a day flight is pretty good if they like to watch TV. A Peppa Pig obsession? You're in luck! An iPad or similar works miracles! Some people swear by buying their kids baby-sized headphones…. I am yet to do this but reckon it could be worth it. Oh and just so you know, once they reach three, it just gets easier and easier. I even managed a movie and a glass of wine on my last trip DownUnder! Hellelujah!!!!! Tip #5: What to take? If your baby is tiny make sure you feed them (breast or bottle) on take off and landing to avoid any ear problems or if they're older, give them a dummy or lolly to suck on. Taking a night flight usually means you get fed pretty late, so it pays to have a stash of food for the little one to eat before boarding or once they get on board, so they don't fall asleep on an empty tummy (or shout the house down demanding food)! When they are babies and young toddlers, take a baby carrier like the Baby Bjorn or equivalent, especially if you are flying alone. It is not easy getting yourself, baby and paraphernalia through x-ray machines and on board and this frees you up to fill in departure/arrival cards and lift bags etc. NB: They will make you take the baby out of the carrier going through the x-ray machines and the first time they did this to me, I seriously nearly had a pink fit. (Breathe Nicole, breathe!) My poor mum saying goodbye could see me from the gate but was helpless to do anything. At least if you expect it, you won't be ready to throttle the security dude on the spot (if only you had a spare hand)! If your little one is verging on toddler age....and walking steadily, make sure you take the stroller and don't check it in with baggage until the gate. If the airline asks you to, get a temporary one from then to get you through the airport in one piece. Trust me on this. I know it's hard not to want to take a truck-load of bags and you worry you won't have enough nappies, wipes, wraps etc… and obviously it depends on how long the flight is/stop overs etc, but less is more if you're traveling alone. Yes! You can take baby powder and milk on the plane…. if baby's on normal milk, the staff should happily fill your bottle(s) or warm existing ones up. I have also gotten away with taking baby food on board in the past when Ava was younger. Now at three she can eat normal airline food. (They usually make special kid's trays with plenty to pick on for a few hours of cartoon viewing.) New toys, colouring-in pads, crayons etc (things that don't require small pieces that fall down the side of the seat and drive you crazy) can come in handy for bribery - engaging your tot! Do take extra dummies etc in case you lose them down the side of the seat. Extra change of clothes for you and bub. Nappy bags….wipes, wipes wipes….Nurofen/Panadol or the equivalent in case of an unexpected high temperature or teething. #Tip 6: Sleeping Aids? When you first join the tubular party in the sky, many of you might be very tempted to try antihistamines in a panicked effort to make your baby/toddler drowsy (aka 'knocked out for the entire ride')! Trust me, I was a keen offender! Some doctors don't recommend it, but whatever it takes eh?...In a devastating blow for me, it appears I have a daughter who actually hypes up on these sorts of drugs…(panadol included). I can't recommend enough trying medication out before the flight!! If they work and you're comfortable with it, hats off to you! Otherwise, your best bet is to take your little one's favourite toy, any creature comforts and hope for the best.....keep their routine as normal as possible in the lead up to your flight, so you're not starting on the back foot. And from the mouth of my very own pediatrician: "Young children - feed them! Older children - buy a dvd!" Yep! It kinda sums it up really. I know if you're still not familiar with flying with children you're probably feeling a little anxious (ok sweating bullets might be more accurate)….but try to relax. Ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen? So Johnny Junior cries most of the way; passengers give you filthy looks and wonder what sort of parenting school you attended, you don't get to the toilet and only manage to shovel in a bread roll? Don't stress, those pesky passengers will get over it the minute their well-rested tootsies hit the ground, running. And you, you'll get over it the minute you see your beloved family on the other side! (Or that luxurious hotel suite.) I promise.... Pssst... just for the record, I (rather reassuringly) read in the in-flight magazine that 67 per cent of people would rather sit next to a whiney toddler on an airplane, over a smelly adult. (I can almost understand that given I was sitting next to a passenger doing that snorting in the back of his throat thing, every five seconds). So annoying, I started timing him…and possibly muttering something inaudible under my breath about 'manners!' What about you? Have you flown with small people in tow? What are your hot tips? Share them in the comments. I'd love to hear! ++For more in-depth details, Nicola Burke's blog Jetlag and Mayhem is brilliant. … [Read more...]
Back to the Future in Kowloon, Hong Kong
Looking at Hong Kong with a bird's eye view, you'd be hard pressed to see how there's even the tiniest space in this jam-packed corner of the earth to develop any further! "Find me a patch of land, any land!" They roar. But that's where you're mistaken. You see I wake up (far too often for my liking) to the rather joyous sound of jack hammers jigging, bulldozers digging and cranes creaking -- which leads me to suspect, the spot where we live amongst the madness will look well and truly different in about a decade's time. Talk about a facelift! This spot is on reclaimed land (yes! I'm officially walking on water). There's a lot of that going on in Hong Kong (reclaiming land that is) in a bid to mitigate the limited supply of usable land. Since 1851 Hong Kong has seen more than 60 square kilometres of land reclaimed from the city's waterways, that's an area greater than Kowloon and nearly as large as Hong Kong Island. The West Kowloon Reclamation was completed in 1995 and was the largest reclamation ever undertaken in the urban area -- increasing the size of the Kowloon peninsula by one-third and extending the waterfront into the harbour by as much as one kilometre and today, well like I said, it is home to some fairly frenzied activity. They call it the 'Dark Side'.... this little slice of Hong Kong is still considered (and feared me thinks) by many as an unexplored entity, but let me, let YOU in on a little secret - it's one train stop from Hong Kong Island (that's ONE, you Hong Kongers). ;) Back in the day, the Kowloon Peninsula served as one of the first destinations for escape during China's dynastic times. (Why would you go anywhere else?) Apparently, the story goes: In 1287, the last emperor of the Song Dynasty, was fleeing from the mongol leader when he took refuge in a cave in the Kowloon peninsula. (Was that cave possibly WooBAR at the W?) Nope, just a twinkle in Mr Starwood's eye back then but today, the W Hotel stands tall and proud next to Ritz Carlton which occupies part of Hong Kong's tallest building, the International Commerce Centre. As the 7th tallest building in the world, this whopping skyscraper boasts 118 stories (some of which have a tendency to disappear into the clouds on those, err 'smoggy' days) and is part of the Union Square project built on top of Kowloon Station. Trivial ICC facts: It was meant to be even taller but the height was scaled back from earlier plans due to regulations that did not allow buildings to be taller than the surrounding mountains. The ICC is not without a dark past either and construction work was temporarily halted in September 2009 when an elevator shaft accident killed six workers. Kowloon Station and all that decorates it is a ten minute cab ride from the buzzing shopping hub of Tsim Sha Tsui and not far from mighty Mongkok, the busiest spot in the world. If you don't believe me...check this post out. With five residential blocks (each block containing at least two high-rises above Kowloon Station housing over 5000 units, connecting to the city's largest shopping centre, Elements (which includes an ice skating rink, the city's biggest movie theatre complex and over 20 eateries) plus an alfresco dining area flanked with international restaurants, Kowloon is becoming a force to be reckoned with...and naturally real estate has skyrocketed! Kudos to the smart ones who bought an apartment here when it was all beginning - now valued at on average HK$16-million!! And so now it expands...to the right of us West Kowloon Terminus is to blame for that constant thunder of construction - and I'm not just talking about a couple of cranes there and a digger here. There are actually 400 tunnel-boring machine operators carving out tunnel with an army of cranes and around 7000 workers on site....all this making up a constant drone hum in my day, which mostly and thankfully, I don't even notice anymore. (Panadol anyone!) West Kowloon Terminus is the terminus of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link set on 25 acres. Featuring 15 platforms, it will be set up with Hong Kong customs and immigration facilities for passengers to avoid stops at the border into China. The HK$66.9bn (£5.47bn) project will provide a 26 kilometre wholly underground link between the Kowloon terminus to Huanggang in Shenzhen, connecting in to the mainland’s rapidly growing high speed rail network. It is expected that by 2016, the West Kowloon Terminus daily number of passengers carried will be about 99,000 feeding into at least 16 major destinations in mainland China. Also good news for those retail outlets in Elements currently sitting idly much of the time. It seems there is a method to their madness. You can read more about that here. The terminal will extend into the underground area of the West Kowloon Cultural District (also under construction to the left) with extensive green garden and parklands stretching across the roof area of the station. With the first phase to be completed by 2020, and the second expected to be completed by 2026, it's hoped this new vibrant cultural quarter prominently located harbourside will strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international arts and cultural metropolis. The largest art and cultural facility in Hong Kong, the park will include a 7,000m² area featuring a free space theatre, the music box, an outdoor stage, lawn, and art pavilions. The music box will have 150 to 300 seats and feature a bar and cafe with local live music. With seats integrated into the landscaped slopes of the park, the area will be capable of accommodating 6,000 to 10,000 people during events! It will also boast an M+Museum inspired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which was built on the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour. The M+Museum is expected to be completed by 2017 . The Xiqu Centre will be a world-class arts venue specifically built for Xiqu (Chinese opera) performances, and it will also serve as a centre for the production, education and research of this unique art form. The whole thing directly financed by the government with an upfront endowment of HK$21.6 billion for construction and operation! It seems there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel for the dark side. See you there... … [Read more...]
Maid in Hong Kong – the Helper phenomenon…
It's a phenomenon in the best sense of the word! Both impressive and extraordinary. In this multicolored, multi-cultural city of contradictions, there is a culture in Hong Kong that sees many middle class people living like the wealthy aristocrats of a bygone era, a time when maids scurried about large colonial-style homes, catering to their master's every whim. What's probably even more extraordinary though, is that whilst this city has the highest number of maids per capita in Asia, if you've read some of my posts before, you'll know this is by no means a city of sprawling mansions and estates, let alone your average three bedroom home with a backyard and a white picket fence. It's the skyscraper capital of the world and it's no secret most Hong Kongers live in relatively small (make that 'teeny tiny') apartments. Lacking in space they may be, but nonetheless they still manage to squeeze in the obligatory "maid's room" - cubbyholes that are not much bigger than a walk-in-wardrobe, usually off the kitchen. As a westerner, coming from Australia, my first reaction was admittedly one of sheer disbelief. 'It can't be so!' I exclaimed! Scouring for a place to rent, my eyes narrowly fixed on a tiny cubicle no bigger than a bathroom off the entry way. (Oh wait, yes that's a shower IN the toilet)! Don't worry, this was the big time…in apartments without a designated helper's room, many helpers sleep in the kitchen or sometimes with the children. If you haven't lived in Asia you might be wondering why living in Hong Kong and having a maid are more often than not, mutually inclusive events. Unlike in most western countries, where it is seen as the consummate symbol of wealth and elitism, here in Hong Kong, you need neither status, a sizable income nor a spacious pad to have a full time, live-in maid. Actually, the Hong Kong government stipulates that to hire a maid you need a household income of no less than $15,000 a month, that's currently around US$1,932. The Minimum Allowable Wage for a full time helper is $4010 a month - $US516. They work a six day week, doing everything and anything -- from household chores like cleaning and ironing to looking after your child/ren and cooking the family breakfast, lunch and dinner. Step outside my apartment building and the 'Helper' is an instantly recognizable part of Hong Kong society. Usually in her unofficial uniform of jeans or tracksuit pants and a t-shirt with flip flops on their feet (often in winter), if they're not wheeling a trolley, they're pushing a stroller, carrying someone else's baby in a baby pouch or wielding some form of household cleaner and a bucket! On the seventh day, the majority of helpers take the opportunity to go to Church and are often seen congregating in mass in open spaces around the city where they dress up to the nines, socialize, sing and eat, for as long as the day will let them. The Asia-Pacific region employs more domestic workers than any other part of the world - around 21 million are working in private homes, most of them women. In the Fragrant Harbour, one in eight households has a helper and in households with children, it's one in three. Not all live in and I am sure they're often considered the lucky ones, but it is currently illegal. To many unfamiliar with the culture, the Helper may seem like an unnecessary extravagance but for families where both parents work, be it part time or full time, there are no other options for childcare. For starters, government facilities like child-care centres simply don't exist, so that option is out if mums need to/want to return to work, in some capacity. Maternity leave is at best short in Hong Kong (10 weeks paid) and of course in the expat world, most of us don't have family to help out. Any pre-school a child goes to up until two years of age must be accompanied by a guardian. That coupled with Hong Kong's rapidly aging society and a lack of elderly nursing home means domestic helpers are desperately needed to take care of the community's junior and senior citizens. Whilst I do have the luxury of a Helper, to be honest, call me crazy, but it's taken me a really long time to get used to the idea. Being a foreigner, my first introduction to this rather foreign concept wasn't without opposition. When I first arrived I didn't have any help and often found myself at various birthday parties where I would end up being the only one in the mosh-pit (play area) with all the Filipino helpers and babies in their care. "Where were the other mums?" You may well ask. Well, they were off quaffing champagne and having a good old time….(or just quietly, maybe they were in the pool taking 'selfies!') I had to check myself and remind myself this was considered perfectly normal around these parts. Everyone assured me I would get used to it 'soon enough' and immerse myself in the Tai Tai lifestyle. I never have. (Ok well, sometimes I'm partial to a long lunch with a champers in hand - nothing's changed there!) But if you're not careful, you can find yourself pretty much devoid of any responsibility, living life like some sort of expat fraternity on permanent vacation. (Party poopers need not apply!) Fortunately though (and I know this is not the case for many people) I am in a position where I do not need my helper on a daily basis, which is good because as much as I love her, I also don't want my helper on a daily basis. I know I'm in the minority and often frowned upon by other expats (some may even call me a martyr) but I like my privacy and mostly I just want to do things that are considered "normal" in my home country, because you know what - there's a fair chance we'll be returning some day and it's going to be a rude shock to the system as it is having rarely changed my sheets or cleaned a toilet in the past couple of years. I still need to know I can do the dishes, cook dinner and take care of my girl, without help! And errr hello…..as one friend put it, I like to be able to have an argument with my husband without whispering! Trust me, I've seen women returning home after a stint abroad looking to emulate the same thing they had as an expat in Asia. Truth is you won't find a babysitter who cleans your pantry while you're out (at least not for much less than a small fortune) and you certainly will not find a nanny who packs your bags before you go away. Just in case you're still unclear, let me reiterate, we don't do it tough 'round here! ;) My helper has been looking after us in some capacity for three years now and she is for all intents and purposes, part of the family. She messages my mum on Facebook, our children play together and I just met her boyfriend! As for my daughter, they are the greatest of friends and I know in my heart, when we move on from Hong Kong, we will all stay in touch. My hope is that as the friendship continues, one day Ava will visit my helper's daughter in their part of the world. Some people will say this is a bit too close for comfort….it's a business relationship and they are your employee. Whilst I agree, boundaries are important in any relationship, I also think it comes back to the type of employer you are and the type of employee you get. A lot of it is pure luck - on both sides of the equation. When you think about it….how many work situations require you to spend so much time with your employee/employer (i.e. living with them) and how many circumstances involve two (often very different) cultures blending together, harmoniously at that! There's no manual and there are no instructions when it comes to understanding how to manage two significantly different cultures, not to mention the language barrier, all under the one roof. It takes plenty of patience and empathy goes a long way too. It's a bit like having a baby…. there's no training for parenthood right….you just have to muddle your way through as best you can. I see forums with people crying out for information on how to communicate with their helpers and vice versa. Most Helpers in Hong Kong are Filipino, Indonesian or Malaysian and most employers are either Hong Kong/Chinese, western (British, Australian, American) or European. It's a setting ripe for personality clashes, let alone cultural misunderstandings. Naturally, different problems arise between different nationalities. I notice Chinese or Hong Kong employees who've grown up with the maid culture have a slightly different attitude to their helpers than say expat employees not so familiar with the state of affairs. For many locals it's business transaction while for westerners it's a little more familiar. Which way is best, I'll let you be the judge. There are times I see employers complaining mercilessly on public forums about their helpers lack of dress code or late arrival home (on her day off) or maybe she doesn't quite cook the meal to your liking or vacuum to your standards….and no doubt on the other side of the fence maids complaining about their unfair or difficult employers. Trawling the internet, I found this piece from a maid who believed she was subjected to conditions that saw her treated like a second-class citizen. I have no sanctuary of my own other than the utility room. It’s small, has no air-conditioning and there is no lock on the door. I sleep there on boxing over the pipe-work. When I find the household unbearable I seek a few minutes there alone. I close my eyes and try to calm my breathing, fighting back homesickness. “Don’t you dare touch the pork. Mr Yu and I will have it tonight. The pots of yogurt are for the children only. For lunch you can make yourself rice and take a spoon - no more mind - of last night’s vegetables: quite enough!” But it can go much, much deeper than that…..Hong Kong's newspaper headlines of late testament to the trouble that can happen. "We are workers, not slaves!" and "Indonesian Maid in Abuse Case" just a couple of such headlines that have put maids and employers in Hong Kong in the world spotlight. Just this month, thousands of domestic helpers took to the streets of Hong Kong to demand justice for the Indonesian maid who was allegedly enslaved and tortured by her employers for eight months. It's not all one-sided though, there are - as with every group in society - individual helpers who abuse the system, those responsible for babies who lie about their references or steal money and hop between jobs to collect severance pay and flights home. (If a contract is terminated, the employer must pay their flight home.) I've heard about helpers not looking after children in their care, spending most of their time on the phone and not fulfilling their part of the bargain. Basically taking the mickey! At the risk of repeating myself, it's an unconventional situation……with no manual on how it's supposed to be done. To the average westerner, paying $500 a month for so much help is almost ludicrous and too good an offer to pass up - but for the helpers themselves, they are earning far more than they could ever hope to back in their home countries. Many have tertiary qualifications but can do little with it back home and if they do manage to secure a job in their profession of choice, the rewards are meager. The remittances for the Philippines from the hundreds of thousands of women working overseas are enormous, ploughing billions of dollars into the fledgling economy. But it also means while the children in Hong Kong are being taken care of, there are equally as many left behind in the workers' home country. I've written about the "Nation's Angels" before...here in my post 'A Motherless Country.' The first lot of maids arrived from Myanmar in February this year. For the 19 women it was the first time they'd stepped foot outside their country. One woman was quoted as saying she previously made US$150 a month as a hotel receptionist in her own country while here in Hong Kong, she'll triple that, at least. To many HongKongers, the helper is a modern day Mary Poppins! But during my time here in Hong Kong, I've heard some people liken the city's 'helper' syndrome to the Academy award winning movie The Help - the american drama after the same name, about the relationship between the maids and their employers in the early 60's, whilst others believe you reap what you sew and that women from less fortunate countries are lucky for the opportunities afforded here. Both perhaps extreme views…. but somewhere in the middle lies the truth about this exceptional existence that is, rightly or wrongly - alive and well in the 21st Century. **** And if you're about to step into the world of helpers, here are a few tips on how to make sure you both get the best out of the relationship, from Edouard Muller, founder of HelperPlace. You will need to pay for your helper's visa depending on their current situation and nationality. You can ask for an agency to assist with the visa and paperwork and the cost involved varies between HK$2,000 and HK$3,000. If you choose not to go with an employment agency, it's about HK$1,000. The employer is also responsible for all costs under the labour law other than training. All travel costs need to be covered along with transport fees. A comprehensive medical check-up is on the cards too. Also, employers will be expected to shell out money for, at the very least, basic helper insurance or medicare. Looking for a Helper to suit your needs. The first thing you need to establish is the kind of helper required for your home: do you need a child-care specialist or someone to do the household chores? Some people prefer experienced helpers only. If your helper is inexperienced, bare in mind they will need training for every possible scenario. It's a known fact that chemistry equals compatibility and hence crucial you like your helper, because you and your family are going to be seeing a lot of them. All references need to be thoroughly checked. It's essential that you feel confident leaving your child in the helper’s care. A recommendation from a friend is always reassuring. It's vital to assesses your helper's language skills. You want them to be able to call a doctor in emergencies and be able to communicate well with everyone, particularly children. If there are elders in the house, it's also important your helper is polite and receptive of their needs. A blend of warmth, calmness and confidence is what differentiates an ideal helper from the rest. Offer the domestic helper a chance to ask questions. Train them gradually or you can even enrol them in a variety of courses to improve their expertise. Honesty, integrity and passion for work is important but most importantly is the helper's ability to learn to care for your family in the way you would like. A sense of openness allows them to feel at ease making suggestions and observations to you. There is strong evidence that mutual respect and teamwork will help both employer and the employee and it's no different in a the home helper situation. … [Read more...]
Calling All Expats! How to send money overseas quickly, for less…
I won't profess to be a financial expert (of any sorts!) but when I was approached by ClearFX to partner with them, I did a bit of investigating...and put the concept to several of my expat friends, who all thought this was a great idea and something that could be very handy indeed. They come under the umbrella of OzForex, the parent company in Australia with a multi brand strategy including NZForex, UKForex, USForex and CanadianForex. ClearFX is the Hong Kong branch. So here's the bit to pay attention to: If you're living away from home you probably know that sending money overseas can be expensive if you're using the major banks, right? With ClearFX though it's pretty easy - you can transfer money faster and for a lot less! Stick with me here, because it's worth looking into. There are no fees for transfers over HKD 16,000 or equivalent and their exchange rates are much better than banks and other providers. Best of all, you can do it anytime you like online or by phone – they are open 24-hours a day, business days! By using ClearFX you will enjoy the following; No receiving bank fees in most countries Extremely competitive foreign exchange rates across 50 currencies Online access 24/7 Access to a dedicated dealer by phone 24-hours a day, 5 days a week Complete exchange rate transparency No transaction fees for amounts over HKD 16,000 or equivalent Risk management tools through Limit Orders and Forward Exchange Contracts Exchange rate alerts via email Access to our highly regarded daily and weekly “Market Commentary” To speak to one of their accredited dealers about your foreign exchange requirements call 800 969 599 in Hong Kong (1300 300 424 in Australia 0845 686 1950 in the UK; 1800 680 0750 in Canada or 0800 161 868 in NZ). Registering with them is FREE and you can view their live dealing rates immediately. What are you waiting for!!! ClearFX Currency Converter Add this to your site … [Read more...]
Strewth Mate! I Come From a Land Down Under
Latest Column for Expat Focus... G'day, If you're a regular reader of my ramblings, you probably know I've spent a fair bit of my writing time, wearing expat shoes and being quite vocal about the thrills and spills of culture shock - you know - stuff like: what happens when you find yourself catapulted into the arms of another country, anxiously wondering if this is simply a fling or a lasting love affair? Well, in answer to that - Hong Kong has me in its clutches, but Australia you'll always have my heart. (Awwww.) But on a recent trip back Down Under, it was kind of like running into an ex-boyfriend and finding something that had been so familiar, for so long, was suddenly quite alien. I think it's what they like to call "Reverse Culture Shock." Strewth mate! So where the bloody hell are you? To continue reading head over to Expat Focus - click here >>> … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- …
- 37
- Next Page »