Saturday, November 21, 2009

Saturday Escapes

When Hubby was offered his first posting abroad, we were filled with equal parts excitement and trepidation. We didn’t know anything about living in a developing country. We knew even less about living in a new culture so different from our own. We had traveled extensively prior to our move to India, but a short vacation is very different from moving to a place full time. Although there was an existing office for Hubby in Delhi, we would be the first expats to be part of this particular division and we had questions they simply didn’t know how to answer.

Expats from all over the world have oodles of questions they need answers to before agreeing to move to a new country. From schools for their children to whether or not there is affordable Internet access, people need to know what they’re getting into before they find themselves knee deep in moving mayhem. Luckily for all of us, Tales from a Small Planet is there to help.

Also known as Real Posts, this user-driven site offers answers from actual people who have lived abroad in a range of countries. You do have to register to peruse the site but that only requires an email address that they do not use for spam. (I never receive any unsolicited email from Real Posts and have been a member for almost five years.) Real people who have lived in a myriad of places from Washington, DC to Quito, Ecuador fill in questionnaires that address issues surrounding quality of life, day-to-day living, travel, and even what books or movies to check out before moving. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to live in China, Sweden, or even Canada, this amazing resource is the place to go.

Tales from a Small Planet
is this week’s Saturday Escape.

18 comments:

LadyFi said...

Never heard of them, but it sounds like a really useful site. Going to check them out now...

Oh - and I love that photo! Where did you take it? (Out dancing, to a restaurant or...?)

N said...

I was happy to learn all kind of information about Denmark from expats found on www.expat-blog.com

It was very resourceful and it permitted me to see Denmark through all kinds of angles.

Unknown said...

Sounds like an interesting site, thanks for sharing this! Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Interesting photo!
I am unlikely to become an expat at this late stage of my life but I do like to travel--preferably staying in houses/apts. SO I'll go have a look.
merthyrmum

Suburban Princess said...

Thanks for posting this! I am going to bookmark it in case any more of my friends end up relocated!

Have you tried making cakes on the stove? I am sure it can be done! My husband has baked over a campfire so surely it can be done on a stove!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the link; it sounds interesting. I will check it out.

Zuzana said...

Yes, I can relate to the feeling of moving to a new country and even continent.
I will check out that site, sounds very interesting.
I am curious; where was the top picture taken?
Hope you are having a lovely Saturday,
xo

SurferWife said...

Whether I decide to pack up and get the heck out of dodge or not, that site still sounds like a fun read.

Karen M. Peterson said...

Thanks so much for the recommendation! I've actually been thinking about spending time on another part of the planet. I'm going to have to check out this site!

RennyBA's Terella said...

What interesting links - have to check it out as it's so interesting to read about travellers reports from all over the world!

Btw: Interesting photo for a Norwegian :-)

lizzy-loo said...

sounds great, will certainly check it out. who knows where the next move will be.

Brenda said...

Thanks for the links, I had never heard of either of these.

sprinkles said...

My father was in the military when I was growing up which sent us to England (4 years) and Holland (3 years). I was a baby when we moved to England so I have almost no memory of it. However, I was 12when we moved to Holland and I do remember that quite well. EVERYTHING was different!

I have no doubt that this was a very different experience from yours though.

Thanks for sharing the links. I had someone recommend going abroad to look for work. I have no intention of doing this since I have a house and 2 little dogs but it'll be a fun read to find out maybe what I'm missing.

BLOGitse said...

Thanks for sharing - never heard of this before! I just signed as a member!
Because you've been a member for a long time
give me a hint or two to save my time
- where and how to start to get IN as quickly as possible?

ps. please don't say I have to read all the posts...can't do that! :)

Nicole said...

Never heard of this one either.
I only know three other places which are great.
All combined, including searching blogs, I always found someone that helped me out with various questions.

Will check it out and save it in my bookmarks for sure :)
Thanks :)

I have loads of people too, ending up on my blog, asking me for help in Waegwan, Korea.
How to find apartm. and such :D

Sandy said...

I wish I had a need for such info, but (sign) I am destined to always live in the US. Hey, wait a minute...I shouldn't feel deprived by that fact. There are millions of people who would love to live in the US. I guess I will have to be satisfied to just visit all these wonderful places, and to read your blog. :-)

injaynesworld said...

I'm so happy that you stopped by my blog today because it's led me to the discovery of your blog. How exciting to live in Cairo. I can't wait to read more. I truly envy people who are so adventurous. It would seem that I left that part of me in the 60's along with my Spitfire and LSD. Here's a post you might enjoy that I wrote explaining why I am known as "The Reluctant Traveler."

http://injaynesworld.blogspot.com/2009/08/injaynesworld-we-are-known-as-reluctant.html

Sturgmom said...

What a fabulous resource. It's fun to peruse, even if you aren't moving. Lately, I've found myself with a slight longing to move somewhere completely different, if for no other reason than a change in perspective. Alas, I think I'll be in TX forever. I can just live vicariously through your blog and that website!