Location: Gouda
Date: 27th August 2011
Just finished reading 3 letters mum wrote to her sister when she started living in Curacao. Brilliant to read about her perception of moving to a completely different country. I also recognised some things we stumbled upon as well when moving abroad. Everybody with the experience of moving abroad knows that in the beginning it is tough, not only cuz you miss your fams and friends but also because you have to start all over. To be honest I think it is quite refreshing as well.
I love meeting new people and getting to know new cultures, and even sometimes seeing the similarities between cultures. Sometimes in Australia I literally had to pinch myself making sure i wasn't in England. I know the whole English convict thing back in the day obviously connects the 2 countries but i never expected that 2 countries so far away from each other had such similarities. Australia is a lovely country and could see myself living there for sure ( up north that is cuz the south gets way 2 cold!!!!). Of course the fact that it has serious good diving does help a little bit ;)
Coming in Bali you still see the Dutch colony signs ( even though the Balinese don't like talking about it, obviously....). Fiji just has the nicest people ever, without being to obnoxious which is something many countries can learn from!
It is also hilarious to hear and experience how the foreigner sees the dutch! seriously we have heard every cliché and stereotypical Dutch "thing". So yeah yeah I know we are cheap, very tall, mostly blond, very down to earth and do not beat around the bush, we actually "go dutch" our selves as well ( hence the saying DUH) and that we of course all do drugs and walk on clogs all day! LOL. The conversation normally ends with me saying ... well actually... I wasn't raised in Holland so what does that make me? A "Yu di Korsow"!!! They normally thought Remco was Swedish ( the serious blond her and length) and me.. well couldn't really place me.. The Americans though I was Australian (seriously?), The Australians though I was English, The English generally just got scared of my accent and the Dutch said.... It takes one to know one.. ( oh yeah thanks for that!). We will see How Mexico perceives us hahaha
In a couple of days we will fly to Mexico, and seriously looking forward to it. Getting certified as a dive instructor is one of my biggest dreams and I have always wanted to live in a Spanish speaking country cuz that is the only way I can actually master the lingo! Hopefully we will find a job there for a couple of months but knowing us we could just as easily divert....... ;)
However the dream of moving back home ( Curacao that is) is coming closer and closer and makes me smile from ear to ear :).
Bula (fiji), Pura Vida (costa Rica), G'day (aussie)
Nice post, great to hear about your latest evolution. Thanks for taking the time to keep up the blog..When you are settled in Mexico, maybe we will drop in on you.
ReplyDeleteBest from Jim and Shirley in San Diego.