Orangesplaash

Travel Photo of the Week - Mark Square in Venice, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sandhya Sanjana

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Continuing the expat interview series on Orangesplaash, we have Sandhya Sanjana as our expat guest this week, sharing her entrepreneurship journey while embracing expat life in the Netherlands. Sandhya is an Indian vocalist who integrates Indian classical vocals with jazz and world music. She has recently recorded her solo album, Random Access Melody. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

SS: I was born and raised in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. I live in Amsterdam (but have also now and again lived in London in between) since 2001. I am married to a Dutch man.

I came to Amsterdam many years ago with my band DIVYA, which I had with my ex husband from India. We were based in Amsterdam for three months while touring Europe. I fell in love with the Jordaan area, especially the chimes of the Westertoren, the swans floating by on Prinsengracht and the quaint charming streets. I had a dream of coming back there one day. And then I married a wonderful Dutch man many years later.

OS: What is your profession?

SS: I am essentially a singer, trained in North Indian classical (Hindustani) singing since my early childhood. But I am a composer too, who writes her own material and also rework texts from traditional Indian works.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

SS: Actually India and The Netherlands are as far apart as I can imagine two countries can be.

India is (or at least, has been) all about the family life, community and a sense of acceptance of life’s ups and downs as part of one’s karma. In The Netherlands, it is all about the individual, orderliness and hard work.

I love that, here, people are on time and take appointments seriously. Not so in India.

I love the fact that things function perfectly in this country - telephones, trains, planes, street cleaners, social security etc. Not yet, in India.

I love the fact that in India, one doesn’t throw anything away. One gets it repaired and only when it can’t be repaired any more, one still tries to recycle it. I detest the throw away culture here, which is a general trend in developed countries.

People are far more spontaneous about social contacts in India. One becomes friends quite quickly. Here, it takes a while before people actually open up and trust you.

People live in close proximity with one another in India. Therefore, there is too much prying and interest in each other’s business, which I used to detest while being brought up in a closed Saraswat community. Here one can be as private as one wishes to be.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

SS: I love Amsterdam – the capital city of my host country. I can’t say that I quite love the rest of The Netherlands as much. Well, to be honest, I don’t know much about it, as I have only lived in Amsterdam. (I did live in Heerenveen in Friesland in the north. But I didn’t take to it at all, having moved there from Bombay, a crowded bustling city to the cold of that area.) I love that most of the nationalities live in Amsterdam, making it a colourful place to live in – in the widest sense possible. It has an open, tolerant attitude and one can be pretty much free to do what one pleases. I would miss this if I were to leave.

I dislike that the new councils/governments are trying quite hard, at the moment, to take away the freedom of this vibrant city and no one is really protesting. Perhaps if pushed into a corner, the people will have their say. I am quite convinced about that.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

SS: The locals are, as I said before, a mixed bunch. They live in beautiful harmony and the term racial/cultural integration is best seen here. One look at the children who are amazing mixes of races and colours and how they live together amicably is quite wonderful. I do have a lot of local friends. Some of them I made by living in the neighbourhood. I meet them at our local pub. Some others I have met through my music. A bunch of them I have met through my Buddhist practice. We have meetings quite often and get together and chant. Those are some of my most precious friends.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

SS: I had to learn Nederlands as part of my “inburgeringscursus”. That was easy. I used only 300 out of the 600 hours given to me. The course was fun and interactive. We used CD ROMs to learn about the language, the customs etc. I had a wonderful teacher who gave me her utmost help to learn the language. Her musician son and I are colleagues and work together since those days! Learn the language, it’s very easy if you speak English. I know a lot of Amsterdammers will jump to English when they hear you hesitate in Nederlands! But continue speaking it, it will make you feel more “gezellig”.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

SS: An almost 10. I feel more at home in Amsterdam than anywhere in the world. I have lived in Bombay/London/Amsterdam. And Amsterdam certainly feels more like home than anywhere else at this moment. The only reason I don’t give it a perfect 10 is the weather! I could use a lot more sunshine and heat….but I do get away in the coldest months.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

SS: Whatever the reason for your being in the country you are an expat in, try and find all the positive things about it. I’m sure if you look with an open mind, you will find loads. Then go out and find those things around you. There’s no point in being somewhere and not liking it. Then you might as well move. A case in point was a friend who came from India. She was a singer and she complained about how she never got any concerts here in Amsterdam. She was here because her husband’s job made her move country each three years. She met a cousin of mine in New York a few years later and went on and on about disliking NYC and praising Amsterdam! To sum it up with the lines of a famous rock anthem: “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

SS: Expatica and Indian Expat Society.

[Photo Credit - Sandhya]

Travel Photo of the Week - St. Peter's Basilical in Vatican City, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Situated in the Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the holiest Catholic sites. The basilica is built in the Renaissance style and its facade with a giant order of statues is absolutely marvelous.

We visited the city during our trip to Italy in Easter last year and were greeted by a swarm of tourists and locals alike. We even got to see tulips exported specially from the Netherlands for the decorations!

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Stephanie Ward

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

In this week's edition of the Orangesplaash expat interview series, Stephanie Ward, an expat who has been living in the Netherlands for over 11 years describes how she now feels at home here. A Small Business Marketing Coach, Stephanie runs her own company Firefly Coaching and loves connecting people, creating ideas, and sharing resources. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

SW: I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma in the US. I’ve lived in the Netherlands since 1999. I moved here to be with my Dutch love, we’re still together and extremely happy.

OS: What is your profession?

SW: I’m an entrepreneur and I started my business Firefly Coaching in 2002. I’m a Small Business Marketing Coach and help my clients attract more clients and grow their businesses. Many of my clients are expats and I work with Dutch clients as well (in English). I’m known for helping business owners get clear about their businesses and then generating marketing ideas that are a perfect fit for them.

My passion is to help small business owners grow their businesses into long-term sustainable enterprises and have a great life at the same time. I do this by combining my business and marketing background, my coaching skills, as well as my own personal experience.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

SW: The directness of the Dutch. Which at first was a bit shocking and now I really appreciate it. I’m much more direct now as a result of living here and find that it is an effective way of communicating.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

SW: I love riding my bike for transportation. It’s great to be outside (when it’s not raining), it’s good for fitness, and it’s environmentally friendly. Dislike, well that’s easy. People who shove in line in front of you and act like they don’t see you. If you live in the Netherlands, I know you know what I’m talking about.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

SW: The locals are quite friendly and I have made some truly extraordinary friendships with Dutch people. I met a few of them when I was working at a company before I started my business in 2002. Other friends I’ve met through my partner. And I love my many friends in the expat community which include many internationally minded locals as well.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

SW: It was a struggle for me to learn Dutch, and I’m still learning. It makes life so much easier if you speak the local language. I recommend finding a fantastic teacher who can make learning fun and not so painful.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

SW: I would say it is a 9 out of 10 but it wasn’t always that way. I’ve lived in the Netherlands for over 11 years and in the beginning it was harder. Now that I can speak the language (not perfectly) and I know how things work, life here is pretty relaxing. I feel like this is my home now and don’t really think about being an expat too often.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

SW: Learning the language is really important so that you can be a part of the community. It’s also important to stay connected with who you are at your core and add the experience of being an expat to that. And getting involved with organizations and groups that you share a common interest with is a great way to meet new people.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

SW: Only two?Yikes, there are so many good ones. Dutch News, IamExpat, Expatica and TalenCoach.

[Photo Credit - Stephanie]

Travel Photo of the Week - The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The partially damaged Colosseum is regarded as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, and completely justifies the title. The monumental structure, built as an amphitheater is capable of seating 50,000 spectators, and was used to host gladiator fights and other public shows in the Imperial Rome.

This photo was taken during our trip to Italy last year and shows the destroyed outer wall as well as the mostly intact inner wall. It took us sometime to check out all the floors, and to let the history and the ambience of the place sink in. Looking forward to visiting the place again!

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Caz Makepeace

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Caz Makepeace, our expat guest this week, describes her expat and travel experiences while teaching round the world in this interesting interview. Caz together with her husband Craig runs the popular yTravelBlog that is dedicated to inspire people to travel. With over a decade of experience traveling through 35 countries, and relocating and setting up a new life in 5 countries, the couple's love for travel and adventure is infectious. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

CM: I am from Australia and am currently living here. My husband, daughter and I recently returned from living in the US. We lived there for 4 years. Craig and I have also lived in Bangkok (2002) and Dublin(2003), and I lived in London for 2 years in 1997.

OS: What is your profession?

CM: I am primary school teacher.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

CM: Thai people have a lot of respect for other people. Teachers are considered second after the Buddha in importance. Therefore, I was treated with a huge amount of reverence and respect. Students would carry my books around, bring me lunch, wai (traditional Thai greeting) to me in a way reserved for those of higher importance, and make themselves lower than me—for some tall people this meant almost crawling on the ground.

I noticed a very similar level of respect shown in America. Americans have a high respect for authority and revere their leaders. As a teacher, I walked into the classroom already having the respect of the children. It made my job that much easier.

Australia began as a penal colony, and so our culture tends to have a lack of respect for authority. I have really noticed this on returning home. This makes my job as a teacher harder as I have to work to first earn the respect of the students. Sometimes this means making you seem less as a figure of authority.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

CM: I miss Thailand every day. I miss the relaxed culture and lifestyle there. They work hard, yet they do not let troubles get in the way of their smiles and friendly disposition. Thailand is where I felt most healthy- physically, mentally, and spiritually. Life is just about enjoying every moment. I miss the food, the cheap living, weekly Thai massages, and lots of warmth and kindness.

There really wasn’t a lot about Thailand that I disliked. The pollution in Bangkok was horrible, especially for an asthma sufferer like me. Also, the whole concept of ‘saving face,’ meant that Thai people wouldn’t always say what they thought, so often at times I was unsure of where I really stood with them or what they were really feeling.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

CM: We always met local friends either through work or by getting out and experiencing the local culture. Attending festivals, going to cafes and restaurants, playing in parks, going to the gym, and speaking with those in our neighbourhoods.

In Thailand, the locals were so warm and friendly. We met most of our friends through work. They are such giving people and would do anything to make sure we had a great time in Thailand.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

CM: In Thailand, we learned the basics. I found Thai a challenging language to learn and unfortunately too many people speak English so I found it too easy to escape from having to speak Thai. What we did learn came from guidebooks and learning from our local friends.

If you want to learn a language the best advice I can give you is to immerse yourself fully in the language. Give up your native tongue for a while and only speak the local language. Read local newspapers and watch local television. You have to practice the language or you will never get any good at it. So go out and speak the language with locals. Don’t be afraid to give it a try.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

CM: The expat experiences I have had, in all the countries I have lived in, has definitely been at least an 8 or above. I love living as a foreigner. I love how each day brings new surprises, and new awareness. I have learned many different ideas, ways of thinking, and believing that I have incorporated into my own life. Just this week I celebrated Thanksgiving, a local tradition that I loved and have now brought into my life back in Australia. There have been challenges but the positive experiences far out weigh these.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

CM: Get out there and make an effort to live like the locals do. Don’t hide away in your bedroom, lamenting about home and hoping someone may find you to show you the local area. Catch local transport, eat local food, learn at least the basics of the language, make an effort to speak to local people to make new friends. Your experiences will be a direct result of the decisions you make and the actions you take.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

CM: The brink of something else - Camden is an Aussie expat living in Peru and owns and runs her own Hostel

Grounded Traveler - Andrew is an expat living in Germany. He writes thoughtful posts about living as an expat.

[Photo Credit - Caz]

Best of 2010 on Orangesplaash

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

It's been a week into the new year. The festivities have ended and people are getting back to work - perfect time for a little reflection on the past year.

The last year has been very exciting for Orangesplaash. It makes me happy to see the Orangesplaash community growing by the day and it feels great to share my thoughts and experiences on expat life with past, present and future expats out there, through this blog.

However, the story of Orangesplaash would never be possible without YOU. Therefore, I’d like to thank you - each and every reader of Orangesplaash for bringing the idea of this blog to life and for offering your advice to fellow expats.

This year will see plenty of plans unfold on Orangesplaash - aimed at enhancing the community experience and engaging the audiences even further! So, stay tuned.

It was difficult picking 15 posts from more than 200 posts published on Orangesplaash last year. Nevertheless, here is a quick recap of the most popular posts on Orangesplaash, in the year 2010 :

Cycling in the Netherlands : One of the most popular posts of all times - provides insights into the famous Dutch cycling culture with reasons that have made the Netherlands a cycling paradise, complete with a wide range of photos.

How to get a BSN (Burgerservicenummer) in the Netherlands : The first part of the very useful Netherlands Expat Guide series explaining everything you need to know about getting a BSN number for expats in the Netherlands.

Interview with an Expat Entrepreneur - Vinita Salome : Vinita, a life-style photographer based in Gouda, describes her experiences of living and working in the Netherlands as an expat entrepreneur in this engaging dialogue.

An Expat's Guide to Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten : Confused about the tradition of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands? If yes, check out this mini guide about Sinterklaas and his helpers Zwarte Pieten, written from an expat perspective.

Christmas gift for Expats - The Best Help to Learn a Language : This post stems from my personal experiences of learning the Dutch language. Here is an ideal guide with worksheets to help you master a new language using unconventional techniques. Give yourself and your family, the gift of language this new year.

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sezin Koehler : Sezin Koehler was the first expat-guest on the expat interview series that started last month on Orangesplaash. She shares her cultural experiences, dilemmas and expat tales in this candid interview.

Best views of Prague, Czech Republic : We were in Prague in October last year. The beauty, architecture and the warmth inspired this photo tour, describing one of the most visited cities in Europe.

Daily Dynamics - Expat Tip of the Day : A daily feature on Orangesplaash that began in February last year, wherein I put forward thoughts and tips from my personal experiences of living life as an expat in the Netherlands; as well as from what I have learnt from my interactions with other expats and locals. These tips got very popular amongst the readers on Orangesplaash, thereby making me extend the daily tips feature to more than three months.

Why developing Intercultural Competence is Indispensable today? : Do we need to learn other languages? Is intercultural competence important in today's global world? Sean Oliver, the Project Manager at Language and Culture Worldwide, explains why intercultural competence isn’t really optional anymore.

Travel Photo of the Week - The Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt : The first post in a new series on Orangesplaash, in which I will be publishing a photo each week, from our many travels. This photo depicts the Cairo Pyramids, all in one line. The Pyramids inspire a sense of awe which is truly evident only when you see the place for yourself.

Top 5 secret travel tips for Rajasthan, India : One of the most visited states in India, Rajasthan is famous for its desert, colorful costumes and the camel fair. But there is a lot more to this historic state, as any local will tell you. Check out 5 secret (no longer, now that I have spilled the beans) tips you want to know before embarking on this wonderful journey.

3 Free i-Phone Applications for learning Dutch - Are you looking forward to learn Dutch? But you do not have enough time to sit though the lessons. Here are some applications that will help you take the first step in learning the language.

Rotterdam through my eyes : This post represents an expat view of the multicultural city, Rotterdam - experiences and situations that I as an expat, identify the city with.

Top 12 signs You've Integrated Successfully as an Expat : A practical list of 12 pointers testing if you have embraced your expat life fully. Read the list and see how many you resonate with.

Budget Holland Series - A five part series on the different passes/ cards/ travel vouchers that provide an opportunity to travel across the Netherlands and check out its cities and natural beauty for less; sometimes absolutely free!

Which is your favourite post on Orangesplaash in 2010?

[Photo Credit - Lel4nd]

Travel Photo of the Week - The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Still on the "Wonders of the world" series -

The Leaning Tower, with a height of 56.70 meters on the higher side, is one of the most visited wonders of the world. Situated in the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the tower began tilting due to the unstable subsoil, even when it was being constructed in the 12th century.

The views from the top floor are not that great, though we has fun climbing to the top - we had timed our climb and the 294 steps took us exactly 5 minutes! It is important to keep in mind the long queues when you visit the Leaning Tower - as far as I can remember, only 25 people are allowed at any time inside the tower. And while you are waiting for your turn, enjoy the green spaces around the tower.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Amanda van Mulligen

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Amanda van Mulligen is our expat guest for this week, sharing tips and tales from her expat life in the Netherlands spanning more than 10 years. A fellow expat blogger, Amanda writes passionately about all things expat related, along with managing her own company The Writing Well, that provides English language writing services. I personally enjoy her writing style and insights into expat life in the Netherlands. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

AM: I am originally from England but I have lived in the Netherlands since 2000. I moved here because I met a Dutchman. After a few months of high phone bills and missing out on sleep to spend as much time online on messengers as possible, we knew something had to change…. living together was the natural next step.

OS: What is your profession?

AM: I am a writer. I write mainly about expat related issues and particularly about remarkable expat women or (career) issues facing women who live overseas. In a previous life, I was a human resources specialist.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

AM: The Dutch are blunt and say what they mean. They make the British sound like bumbling buffoons when it comes to getting a message across. It took a while to get used to hearing exactly what people think rather than reading between the lines to get the real meaning. I think it is a shock for a lot of expats and many find it hard to shake the feeling that the Dutch are rude.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

AM: I love the attitude to life here. It is about making the most of the time we have – about family and the balance between work and home. I think the Dutch have the right attitude to family life. The government has tried numerous ways to get women into the workplace on a full time basis but nothing has worked – it is all about fitting work around raising children instead of passing them to childcare professionals so they can work 9 to 5. It comes down to priorities and I think the Dutch have a healthy way of looking at fundamental things.

I dislike the supermarkets here and I still find it hard, even after a decade here, to tolerate the poor customer service, which is commonplace. I think companies here could save a lot of money here by simply scrapping customer service departments – they are pretty much redundant in most companies anyway, managing only to wind customers up even further!

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

AM: The locals keep their social circles pretty closed and keeping work separate from personal life is very common. It is therefore not easy to meet locals who I would term as good friends. Those local friends I do have are neighbors or friends of my husbands. My friends locally tend to be other expats who have local partners and are here to stay.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

AM: Learning the local language is so vital – I cannot stress it enough, especially if you are here for the long term. Without it you miss out culturally and naturally exclude yourself from so much. I have picked it up over the last ten years but prior to moving here I tried to learn the basics as much as possible with the help of my Dutch partner and Hugo’s Learn Dutch in Three Months. When I actually moved here I didn’t feel so in the dark as I would have done without any Dutch at all. It took a long time though before people stopped speaking English to me in the shops etc – you have to persevere and carry on in Dutch. Everyone here speaks English so it is tempting to give up and use English but the reward is worth the struggle!

After a few years here I also went to a Dutch language teacher in the Hague (Gerrie Soede of Poldertaal) to get a grip on writing and Dutch grammar (which often still eludes me to be honest).

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

AM: 10. Without a doubt. For so many reasons – the experience has made me richer in all ways (except financially :)). Because of moving to the Netherlands I changed my career to one I love (when everything has changed so much anyway, a little thing like a career change is easier to deal with), my children are bilingual, there are so many new experiences even after ten years here (learning the basics in the early years and later like going through two pregnancies and births, and now getting in to the ins and outs of the Dutch education system), the people I have met both here and virtually because of an expat network. Of course there are challenges and I miss my friends and family back home but I never regret making the move to the Netherlands.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

AM: What has worked best for me is accepting how things are done here and trying to take on things as a local would (with the exception of customer service and Dutch birthday circle - those I will never accept or adopt) instead of constantly comparing it to the English way and refusing to see any other way of doing things. For those who have given birth in the Netherlands, you’ll know what I mean – I would never have planned for a home birth in the UK. It would not have crossed my mind but here it is popular and ‘normal’ so I went along with the idea willingly. Unfortunately for medical reasons it never happened as planned but the mindset was there. Adapting to the local environment has been key for me.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

AM: Ooh, hard to keep to two but here goes. I love Stu’s Invading Holland blog - it makes me laugh and the sarcasm of a fellow Brit resonates well. I also really enjoy Cathy Dobson’s Planet Germany blog - again a lot to do with the style of humour, as well as learning about life in another country. I guess you can take a Brit out of Britain but you can’t quash the British sense of humour!

[Photo Credit - Amanda]

Happy New Year (Gelukkig Nieuwjaar)

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Thank you readers for a fulfilling and enjoyable 2010.

May the New Year bring you good health, happiness, peace, and contentment.

Happy New Year 2011!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar 2011!

[Photo Credit - Wikipedia Commons]

Monthly Round up - Popular Posts in December

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

A new month, a new hope, new dreams and new aspirations. The perfect time for a recap of the most popular posts in December on Orangesplaash.

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sezin Koehler : Sezin Koehler was the first expat-guest on the expat interview series that started this month on Orangesplaash. Sezin shares her cultural experiences, dilemmas and expat tales in this candid interview.

Travel Photo of the Week - Bruges, Belgium : Famously known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is a city with cobbled streets, striking canals, horse carriages, delicious chocolates and remarkable museums. This shot was taken during our visit to Bruges earlier this year.

Why developing Intercultural Competence is Indispensable today? : Do we need to learn other languages? Is intercultural competence important in today's global world? Sean Oliver, the Project Manager at Language and Culture Worldwide, explains why intercultural competence isn’t really optional anymore.

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Keith Jenkins : The expat interview series is getting popular by the day. Keith Jenkins, the inspiring travel blogger, was our second expat guest sharing his experiences of living and working in the Netherlands.

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Kama J Frankling : Kama, who has been an expat for over 28 years and has lived in 8 different countries, puts forth her perspectives on relocation and expat life in this third interview in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash.

The expat interview series kicked off this month on Orangesplaash. A huge thanks to all the expats for participating in the interview series and sharing your expat experiences - informing, engaging and inspiring other expats out there.

If you who want to be a part of this interview series too, and share your expat experiences and learnings with an interested audience, do mail me at orangesplaash@gmail.com and we can take it up from there.

Expat Poll: The results for the December expat poll are as below. The question was "Do you read expat/travel related books?" - there were a total of 22 votes with the results as below :

Yes, every month (4 vote)

Yes, not so often though (14 votes)

Yes, but only online (2 votes)

No, but I would love to (1 votes)

Download your free copy of Orangesplaash expat e-book titled "7 powerful tips for a fulfilling expat life" containing tips and suggestions to make your expat life a fulfilling experience. You can do this by filling in your name and email in the subscription form in the side bar. When you subscribe, you will also get free access to the monthly newsletters from Orangesplaash, focusing on expat and travel articles, news, resources, upcoming events, workshops and other free stuff.

Finally, do not forget to join us on the Orangesplaash Facebook fanpage, if you haven't already. The page is regularly updated with the latest expat and travel news, articles, titbits and Dutch language learning resources.

Thank you so much for all your love and support. Here's wishing you all a great year ahead!

[Photo Credit - jonrawlinson]

Travel Photo of the Week - Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Continuing the "Wonders of the World" series in pictures, this week's photo focuses on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. One of the most iconic structures in Europe, the tower is 324 meters high with three levels - the top most level offering awe-inspiring views of the city below.

We visited the tower in the cold and windy month of December, two years back but the magnificent structure more than made up for the bad weather, fortunately giving us some good shots to cherish the memories.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Kama J Frankling

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

In the third edition of the expat interview series, we have Kama J Frankling sharing her perspectives on relocation and expat life. Kama has been a happy expat and migrant for over 28 years, living in 8 different countries. A professional counsellor, she runs The Happy Expat wherein using a combination of her life experiences and education, she helps others enjoy the moving experience. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

KF: I am originally from England. My expat life started as a teenager in Tanzania, East Africa. I have since lived in New Zealand, Africa again, Canada, Norway, The Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand again, and I now live in Australia. I moved to Australia in 2008 when I met my Australian partner while living in New Zealand.

OS: What is your profession?

KF: I am a professional counsellor. I run The Happy Expat where I offer individual counselling, workshops and e-books (soon to be published books in 2011) helping people with the emotional aspect of a move to a new country or state. I also run workshops for companies helping their new employees from overseas to settle in to their new environment.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

KF: Australia is a large country which automatically makes it different from England. Driving for 45 minutes here to get to an appointment is normal and it can take a while to get used to the large long roads. Many Australians towns are very relaxed and it is quite normal for people to walk around the supermarket without shoes or the men without a shirt. The seasons are back to front here so Christmas is celebrated by having a barbecue and going to the beach. All these small differences add up to make Australia a very different culture to England.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

KF: I love the relaxed attitude and helpfulness of most Australians. I also love the warm climate, fantastic beaches and abundance of fresh tropical fruits. I am not fond of the long distances to get anywhere but I am slowly getting used to it.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

KF: I have many local friends. So far I have found Australia the easiest place to meet people. Australia is largely based around outdoor living so people are generally very sociable here. There are many community activities and new people are almost always welcome. As a business owner there are also many open networking opportunities.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

KF: Australians speak English however the slang took a while to get used to and the accent was difficult to understand on the phone in the beginning. There are many amusing slang words used so it’s a lot of fun learning them all.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

KF: I would rate this experience a 9 due to the openness and curiosity of the Australian people I have met so far and the amazing vast landscapes that make Australia. This country has a fascinating diversity.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience? Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

KF: I believe that it is important to immerse yourself in your new environment and learn the customs and cultures of the country you are living in. “The more you venture out the more you settle in”.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

KF: Expat Expert and Expat Women

Merry Christmas (Vrolijk Kerstfeest)

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

I wish all the readers of Orangesplaash -

Merry Christmas!

Ik wens alle lezers van Orangesplaash -

Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

[Photo Credit - Zanastardust]

Travel Photo of the Week - Taj Mahal in Agra, India

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

In the following few weeks, this series will focus on highlighting all the "Wonders of the World" that we have visited so far. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

The Taj Mahal will always remain special for me - the very first "Wonder of the World" that I visited. When you look at the Taj Mahal in Agra, you get transported somehow to the Mughal era, when this unique mausoleum was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife - the legendary Mumtaz Mahal. The structure, a symbol of love, is one of the most striking and beautiful examples of Mughal architecture world wide. I visited the Taj Mahal way back in the year 2001 but the memories are crystal clear, just like the waters of the Yamuna that flows in the backyard of the Taj.

Check out the Pyramids in Cairo - another fascinating world wonder that we visited last year.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Keith Jenkins

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

In this week's Expat Interview, we have Keith Jenkins from Velvet Escape, an investment banker turned successful travel blogger and social media consultant. Keith's well written travel blog finds a place in almost all "top 50 travel blogs round the world" lists. A passionate traveller, his experiences convey enthusiasm about the places he has visited, inspiring people to travel and foster an open mind that is receptive to different perspectives and new ideas. [Check out the previous Expat Interview with Sezin Koehler.]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

KJ: I’m originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and I now live in Amsterdam. LOVE brought me to Amsterdam. We met in Malaysia, fell in love and two years later, I moved to Amsterdam at the age of 18. I’ve been here ever since.

OS: What is your profession?

KJ : I’m a full-time travel blogger and social media consultant. Before venturing into the world of blogging and social media, I was an investment banker for ten years.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

KJ: Err… the weather? ;-) The main difference that I observed when I first moved here was how direct the Dutch are. They do speak their mind. I had a few problems with it at first but soon saw it as a blessing in disguise. No beating around the bush here, which certainly saves a lot of time!

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

KJ: Even though Amsterdam is relatively small, it has something worldly about it. I often call it a ‘global village’. I would definitely miss the atmosphere in Amsterdam. And I would miss erwtensoep (Dutch pea soup). I dislike the fact that I have to make an appointment for everything!

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

KJ: The Dutch are friendly, inquisitive, outgoing and generally open-minded. I have many Dutch friends. When I first moved here, I naturally started looking for friends within the Asian community. As I settled in and learned the language, it became much easier to befriend the locals – many Dutch may speak English and as an expat, you’d think that you could be friends with the Dutch by speaking English. That’s possible but you’ll only start to really get to know them well if you speak Dutch. So my advice is: learn the language and don’t let the fact that English is widely spoken hinder you. I made many friends at university, then later at the bank but also through friends of friends (at dinner parties and the like).

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

KJ: I speak Dutch fluently. I learned Dutch at the University of Amsterdam’s language centre – an excellent course I must add! It wasn’t too difficult to pick up. English is my first language and Dutch is somewhat related to English (both being Germanic languages). Once you master the gutteral sounds (the ‘g’) and the rolling ‘r’, and the fact that the verbs are placed in the back of a sentence, it’s just a matter of memorising words.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

KJ: A ‘10’. I just love living here in Amsterdam. I wouldn’t know how else to explain it. I travel a lot for my work and it’s always a great pleasure to come back home to Amsterdam.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

KJ: There’s a large expat community in the Netherlands. It’s perfectly possible for expats to live within the ‘walls’ of the expat community (where they speak their own language and maintain their own customs) and be totally oblivious to the locals. My advice is to venture outside those ‘walls’. Learn the language (well!) and use it. Learn about the history of the country (it’s absolutely fascinating) and participate in local events. It truly is rewarding.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

KJ: I would recommend Expatica and Letter from the Netherlands.

[Photo Credit - Keith]

Snowfall in the Netherlands [photo tour]

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 09:35:00 +0000

The Netherlands has seen some heavy snowfall in the last two days, resulting in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams on the highways, NS train schedules going disarray and the flights at Schiphol airport delayed.

But, far away from all of this, the children seem to enjoy the snow during this festive season, carefully crafting out their beloved "snowman" and playing around with snow.

And strangely, I am enjoying my evening walks even more - I just love the white layers! Here are some shots from one such walk :

This one is one of my favourites - the tree looked magical, though I may not have been able to capture it in my photo so well.

And finally, can any photo shoot in the Netherlands be complete without the bicycles?

What do you do when it's snowing outside? Do you like snow, assuming it does not disrupt your schedule?

[Photo Credits - Orangesplaash]

Travel Photo of the Week - Salzburg, Austria

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Salzburg is one of the most beautiful and strikingly different cities we have visited in Europe. This Austrian city with the magnificent alpines as the backdrop was featured prominently in the musical cult movie - "Sound of Music". Shot during our recent trip to Salzburg, atop the splendid Fortress Hohensalzburg, this picture shows the city situated at the northern boundary of the Alps.

Travel Tip : Do not forget to buy some Mozart kugels ("Mozart balls"), named after the city’s most famous son and gifted composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart while you are in Salzburg.

Side Note : Pleased to share a wonderful piece of news with all my readers : Yesterday I received an email from Mr. L.P. "Neenz" Faleafine, the Chief Evangelist at Alltop®, mentioning that my blog Orangesplaash has been listed on the Netherlands Alltop section of the Alltop website. A huge thanks to the team at Alltop!

About Alltop : Alltop is a hugely popular website that collects the headlines of the latest stories from the best sites and blogs that cover a topic, from all over the web.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sezin Koehler

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:03:00 +0000

It gives me immense pleasure to launch the brand new Expat Interview series on Orangesplaash today. Hope this interview series - exploring expat inspirations, expat tales, expat tips, expat entrepreneurship and expat travel - proves useful, engaging and interesting to all my readers out there.

We have Sezin Koehler, a former writer on indigenous issues at the UN in Geneva, as our first expat guest. Sezin currently works in Prague as a translator/proofreader for non-native English writers, is a regular contributor at expat+Harem, and also loves to write about horror, being a Third Culture Kid, and her experiences as an expat.

OS : Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

SK : Where I’m from originally is a bit tricky for me to answer: I’m a Third Culture Kid, my mum is Lithuanian-American and my dad is from Sri Lanka, but due to my mom’s job with UNICEF when I was growing up we lived all over the place. I guess you could say I am from all those places originally, but when does the original stop?

Currently I live in Prague, Czech Republic and I moved here with my husband who had lived here before and loved it. At the time of our decision, we were living in Istanbul and wanted to move back to Europe, but these days as US passport holders it’s not so easy to get visas in many European countries. The Czech Republic was and is one of the few places that still opens its borders to us, although even in the time we have been here that has become much more strict with its visa policies for Americans.

OS : What is your profession?

SK : I have quite a few actually: I work with Charles University and the Institute of Gender and Sociology proofreading manuscripts and reports for publication in English. I also manage an after-school care program at an international school for a couple hours a day. The rest of my time I spend writing, be this articles, guest posts for other websites, my own blog, or working on my novels. My first novel, American Monsters, was launched earlier this year and I am currently halfway through its sequel, American Monsters in Prague.

OS : What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

SK : Again, a bit tricky for me to answer since I don’t really feel I have a home country per se, I’m more a global nomad. So I’ll compare the two places that make up my ethnicity. Prague is different than California, where I went to university and ended up spending the most time in any place (7 years), in that here we have an amazing public transportation system that allows me to not have a car and get around without too much trouble. It is extremely cold here, which I find makes people much less friendly and open than they were in California. The legacy of Communism also plays a part in this.

Prague and Sri Lanka are like night and day, quite literally. It is always sunny in Sri Lanka, always warm, the people are friendly and helpful even if they have nothing, which is a far cry from people in Prague who really keep to themselves and don’t reach out to help others in public. Sri Lanka is a developing nation, so there are a number of ways that the infrastructure need improvements and public transport in Colombo is nothing like in Prague, although both places have a very dark legacy of internal conflict that I feel has an effect on the cultural psyche.

OS : What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

SK : I really enjoy the aspect of public transport being so accessible and Prague is an absolutely stunning city, filled with beautiful and creepy energy. That sense of magic and enchantment, although menacing at times, will be something I miss greatly, as well as all the inspiration for art and writing the city has allowed me.

In spite of being a capital city, the population is very homogeneous and being a bi-racial person who could resemble a Roma woman has made me feel in danger on many occasions. I know a number of other Sri Lankans, men and women, who have been attacked by neo-Nazis, and sadly this is a common occurrence here. I was recently at Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball and as I was looking around I noticed that I was one of the few people of colour in the audience. That’s a bit of a scary feeling, especially considering the violence that can accompany the racism and xenophobia that runs rampant here.

OS : How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

SK : The Czechs are very reserved people and known for not being all that friendly. Because of so many centuries of one occupation after another, they have come to distrust foreigners and still aren’t quite used to the growing population of immigrants in Prague.

I have had a few local friends over the years and many of them I met through work. The pattern I noticed was the most friendly and inviting of them either had a partner from another country or had been an expat at some point themselves.

OS : Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

SK : I’m not actually learning Czech, which is terrible of me! I just never thought we’d be here this long, to be perfectly honest. However, I do have a second language, Spanish, and something that helped me a great deal was watching Spanish films. I would watch them in Spanish with Spanish subtitles, and this allowed my vocabulary to grow exponentially. Also, I watched films in English (my native language) with Spanish subtitles and found this helped me pick up colloquialisms that would have taken me years to learn otherwise.

OS : How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

SK : This is a tough question! As far as inspiration goes and the sheer volume of works I have created here (plays, screenplays, my first novel, published pieces in print and online, art, photography, and more) I would rate Prague with a 10.

But as far as feeling comfortable, feeling safe, and welcome here goes, I would rate Prague 3.

OS : What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

SK : My whole life I have searched for a place to call home and every place I’ve lived I’ve started with the hope that the new place would be it. I’ve had to let go of that expectation as well as many others in exchange for just living my life day to day and letting the future plans reveal themselves as they tend do.

Unlike other places where I had many local friends and felt much more welcomed into my host country, I had to let go of that expectation since I’ve been in Prague. This is a hard place to break into socially and even if I were here for 20 years it still may not happen. I’ve found moments of comfort and support from fellow expats both here and online, which is something I always shied away from in other places I’ve been a foreigner.

I’ve come to appreciate the fact that in spite of never having thought I would ever say this, moving back to the USA may not be the worst thing in the world. I think a lot of expats go through this dilemma: We left our home countries for a reason and the thought of returning is sometimes not a positive one. In the end, every relocation is what we make of it, and not everyone is destined to forever be an expat. Realising that sometimes it is the right thing to return home, in spite of all the difficulties that might entail, could be a step (or flight) in the right direction.

Then again, maybe in the meantime my mom will finally get her Lithuanian passport and I’ll live happily ever after in the south of France.

OS : Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

SK: The expat+HAREM is a brilliant collection of writings from around the world. Glimpse features all kinds of travel and living abroad stories, as well as having interesting writing competitions on a regular basis.

Wish to be a part of this expat interview series, sharing your expat experiences and adventures with other expats and internationals out there? Email me at orangesplaash@gmail.com - looking forward to hearing from you!

Orangesplaash Expat Interview Series - One Day to go!

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:35:00 +0000

As promised, we start with the Expat Interview Series on Orangesplaash from tomorrow. It has been overwhelming to receive such a positive response from expats all over the world and we look forward to having some very inspiring people over at Orangesplaash, sharing their expat experiences involving the following elements :

Expat Inspiration
Expat Tales
Expat Tips
Expat Entrepreneurship
Expat Travel
Expat Student life

One interview will be published every week on Monday. I will be linking this page to the all expat interviews as and when they are published. So, do not forget to bookmark this page.

And finally, if you want to be a part of this series, sharing your expat experiences and adventures with other expats and internationals out there, do email me at orangesplaash@gmail.com and we can take it from there. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Photo Credit - glasseyes]

Update : Here are the links to the interviews (will be updated every week)
Orangesplaash interviews an Expat :

Why developing Intercultural Competence is Indispensable today?

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:27:00 +0000

This is a guest post by Sean Oliver, Project Manager at Language and Culture Worldwide. The main idea Sean raises today is that intercultural competence isn’t really optional anymore. He also explains the reasons behind this.

With the rise of global businesses and associated consumer bases in emerging economies, the real question today is “how much are we willing to sacrifice for the privilege of NOT learning how to interact with different cultures?”

In the world history, we can see patterns of economies opening and closing to international trade and foreign investment. Countries that attempt to retreat into isolationism are likely to eventually fail, as many of the resources industrialized economies demand, are found in the far reaches of the globe. Now, of course, as individuals and as countries, we can make the decision that we’re not going to learn another language, that we’re only going to deal with people from different cultures in ways in which we’re comfortable, and that our culture is just the best. But the usefulness of this attitude (if there ever was one) has finally run its course.

The American health care company that refuses to translate into Spanish is going to lose money. The European company that ignores the special needs of its immigrant workforce is going to lose money. The UK salesman who fails to develop relationships with his Indian vendors is going to lose money. I can whine and complain about the loss of industrial, manufacturing, and IT jobs in the US to outsourcing, but those jobs aren't coming back, and the days when company could succeed by just selling products to a domestic market are done.

Prior to doing business across cultures, we have to speak each other’s languages, then learn the country specific behaviors, then learn about deeper cultural values, the institutions that create/influence them, and the reasons why different cultures do what they do, and believe what they believe.

Say what you want about the fairness or ethics of global capitalism, but it’s leading to an opening up of the globe that I don’t see retreating anytime soon. We’re all locked into a web of economic interdependence, and the only way to succeed in this modern global landscape is to learn not just the “Do’s and Don’ts” in dealing with other cultures, but the reasons why people do what they do.

Knowing that not just behaviors, but the motivations behind those behaviors vary widely between cultures, developing intercultural competence becomes indispensable. As the globe shrinks, developing intercultural competence is the key to be able to effectively predict behavior, and to find success both as global citizens, and global economies.

Do you feel the need to interact with other cultures? Are you developing intercultural competence or do you think it is not so important?

[Photo Credit - Wikipedia Commons]

Travel Photo of the Week - Petrusse Valley, Luxembourg

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:38:00 +0000

Shot at the Petrusse Valley in the Luxembourg city, this photo reminds us of the wonderful time we spent during our visit to Luxembourg earlier this year. The capital of one of the smallest countries of Europe, Luxembourg city is situated atop high cliffs, overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse rivers. A walk along the city center and the nearby areas providing spectacular views of the Petrusse Valley, located below the Adolphe and Passerelle bridges.

A small travel tip - do visit the Mullerthal region (also known as little Switzerland), around 25 kms from the Luxembourg city while you are in Luxmebourg. The place provides beautiful views and a number of sports adventure activities (coming up in the next "Travel Photo of the Week" post).

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

The Expat Awards 2011 - Recognising the Expat Community in the Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:58:00 +0000

An expat life provides a lot of challenges as well as opportunities to learn, understand and appreciate a new culture. It is during these times that support, advice and help from other expats who have been through similar situations, provides the much needed boost to go on. Do you know of any such expats, employers or service providers whose outstanding efforts for the expat community deserve some recognition?

If yes, here is the chance to show your support through the Expat Awards 2011. The Expat Awards have been created to recognize the efforts and successes of the International and Expat community in the Netherlands.

[Photo Credit - Hozinja]

Nominations are invited (until 5 pm on December 17, 2010) for any of the three award categories : expat of the year, expat employer of the year and expat service provider of the year. The awards will be presented during the official awards ceremony at Nyenrode Business University on March 29, 2011. Read here for the Expat Awards 2010.

Travel Photo of the Week - Bruges, Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:14:00 +0000

This shot was taken during our visit to Bruges earlier this year. Famously known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is a city with cobbled streets, striking canals, horse carriages, delicious chocolates and remarkable museums.

Bruges is the capital of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish region of Belgium. Many tourists plan a day trip from Brussels to Bruges but I feel a a single day cannot do justice to the beauty and quaint charms of this canal city. Read more about our trip to the city of Bruges at Visit to Bruges, Belgium.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

Monthly Round up - Popular Posts in November

noreply@blogger.com (Orangesplaash) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:09:00 +0000

Another month has come to an end - time for a monthly round up. Here comes a recap of the most popular posts on Orangesplaash, in November :

An Expat's Guide to Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten : Looking forward to celebrating Sinterklaas in the Netherlands? If yes, check out this mini guide about Sinterklaas and his helpers Zwarte Pieten.

Christmas gift for Expats - The Best Help to Learn a Language : This post stems from my personal experiences of learning the Dutch language. Here is an ideal guide with worksheets to help you master a new language using unconventional techniques. Give yourself and your family, the gift of language this Christmas.

Best views of Prague, Czech Republic : We were in Prague last month. The beauty, architecture and the warmth inspired this photo tour, describing one of the most visited cities in Europe.

The Netherlands Expat Guide (Part IV) - Top 10 facts about Netherlands : A round up of the top 10 interesting facts about the Netherlands.

Travel Photo of the Week - The Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt : The first post in a new series on Orangesplaash, depicting the Cairo Pyramids, all in one line. The Pyramids inspire a sense of awe which is truly evident only when you see the place for yourself.

The Orangesplaash expat e-book titled "7 powerful tips for a fulfilling expat life" containing tips and suggestions to make your expat life a fulfilling experience, has been well received in the expat community. Download your free copy of this e-book now by filling in your name and email in the subscription form in the side bar.

When you subscribe, you will also get free access to the monthly newsletters from Orangesplaash, focusing on expat and travel articles, news, resources, upcoming events, workshops and other free stuff.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those expats who have shown enthusiasm to be a part of the Expat Interview series on Orangesplaash. We have received a pretty good response and the interviews are scheduled until Feb, 2011.

If you want to take part in this interview series and share your expat experiences and learnings with an interested audience, do mail me at orangesplaash@gmail.com and we can take it up from there. Please note that the interview series will start on Orangesplaash from mid-December, 2010.

Expat Poll: The results for the November expat poll are as below. The question was "As an expat, are you learning the local language in your host country?" - there were a total of 18 votes. Glad to know that the importance of learning the local language in one's host country resonates with the Orangesplaash expat readers!

Yes (15 votes)

No, but I want to (3 votes)

No, it's not important (0 votes)

Thank you so much for all your love and support. Here's wishing you all a great festive season ahead!

[Photo Credit - Tambako]