Latest column for Expat Focus
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“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
As an expat, my arrival in any country (these days) brings with it, the steely eyes of a super sleuth. The minute I step off the plane, I’m giving my holiday destination the once over! Judging, comparing, making rapid assumptions from the cleanliness of airport toilets, I’m sizing up the place for its ‘liveability.’
You see, living the expat life, almost every city has the potential to be your future home, which makes any foreign locality fair game. Who knows when or even IF, but as an hotelier’s wife, there’s ALWAYS a chance this unfamiliar neighbourhood will arrive on your radar at some point in time.
We jumped on a plane and went for a mini-break to Thailand last weekend, a short two hour 40 minute flight from Hong Kong. It wasn’t my first time in the Land of Smiles, but I was a virgin in the big city of Bangkok. I was excited to see what the so-called City of Angels had to offer. Stepping out from the airport, raising my sunglasses, I peered out at this populous city of 8-million that stretched before me.
I’d barely scratched the surface of this vibrant metropolis but I was already shaking my head. “It’s not Hong Kong,” I said under my breath. “Give it a chance” my inner voice retorted, sternly.
When you’re looking through expat lenses, it’s hard to keep that raw, open mindedness a first-time traveler might feel in a new, unexplored and exotic environment. The butterflies give way to an anxious knot in the pit of your stomach. To read more, click here >>>
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Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post! I too have been an avid Expat traveller. Depending on your own circumstance I found that experiencing new cultures after just becoming familiar with the existing one will break down your barrier of a new home!
Too true! I think it’s definitely a case of feeling more confident as you travel along. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to hear from you again. 🙂 Cheers, Nicole
Most people are just glad to find a nice room at the hotel, but not serial expats. Very funny, cause it’s true.
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Croatian Instagrammers #IGTravelThursday
I have been in the hotel, resort industry for over 20 years. The feeling when you 1st arrive to a new place and especially a major city is a conclave of emotions. That first time arriving in Manila was also my virgin visit to an Asian country. The hotel was part of Accor where I was also a General Manager in the US and was staying in Quezon City so the GM had me picked up at the airport. I will never forget that ride from the airport to my hotel. Some cars actually stopped in the road and turned around right there. The use of horns was so loud compared to the US or EU. In fact in Winter Park, FL one can be fined for using a horn unless it is needed. So every place is weird till you get settled. Since I like to walk and am single Quezon City was nice. But, you have to know how to conduct yourself and be aware of your surroundings unless you want a problem. That goes for any nation. Happy Trails.