It’s one thing to travel somewhere. It’s a whole other thing to live there.When you live somewhere that isn’t your birth country, you live in extremes. You see more of the beauties and more of the uglies than a casual or trendy traveler does. You experience many more highs and many more lows. You are more of an insider and more of an outsider than you ever were, or will be if you return, in your home country. You become almost agoraphobic and, at the same time, way more adventurous than you ever were in your country of origin. You take nothing for granted because every single day you are out of your comfort zone and have to think about every single thing you do, every single place you want to go, and every single word you are trying to say.
So much of your daily life you consciously see – things that were second nature to you before you moved.
In the coming posts I’ll explore some of my favorite topics. Thanks so much for joining me.
Nancy, Congratulations on your blog! Look forward to reading more… Lori xo
Thanks Lori:>)
Congratulations, Nance!! Looks wonderful! XO
I’ve been learning french for the past month…and I sometimes think about being able to live in France, so I could learn the language better. But then it occurs to me, that I might indeed, be afraid to leave my house!
Oh, if all Americans should have to live the life of an immigrant..ay?! They might change their tune a bit;)
Congrats to you on the blog, Nancy!
So grateful I was able to meet you and Libby. You made my transition into Shanghai an easier one. You will always be a part of my life, love you forever! xxx
Nola, one of my next posts is going to be about the difference between being an expatriate and an immigrant, and the infinite compassion i feel for immigrants in the US after having visa problems in China, getting hauled into the immigration police for questioning, etc. Thanks so much for your comment, it means a lot.
Thanks, Judy:>)
Senga, I’ll never forget our 1st lunch at Laris and all the great times we had. Life got a lot more interesting for me around the soda fountain when you and Ken came to town! XO
Nancy congratulations…I kept nodding yes yes yes to all you wrote about living somewhere where you were not born…cant wait to read more…the adventure begins…
Thanks so much, Amalia, i can’t tell you how much i appreciate your comment.
Wonderful, Nance!
Looking forward to seeing more posts and hearing more about the differences, Nancy!
Hi Nancy. I’ll be following your blog. Congrats on getting started. I look forward to hearing your adventures. I think that trip to the immigration police might have been when we were in China.
Yes, Linda, you are so right! I’m hyperventilating thinking about it. So nice to hear from you and hope to see you again sometime.
Thanks, Meg:>)
Is that you, Robert Egan???
I freakin’ love you…
Right back at you, miss you and your little dog too:>)
Looking forward to more! I kinda feel like that here in NC after having lived abroad. I’m beginning to wonder if I will ever feel “at home”? It’s okay, though. I like the anonymity.
Nancy, not only are your words beautiful, but your page layout and colors and textures are warm and soothing. Like “home” should be for everyone.
Thanks so much, Ellen. That’s high praise coming from someone with your eye. Ron Wheatley, who did my website, is wonderful.
Dear, dear Nancy,
We are back in Ajijic, Mexico, for our fifth winter and your descriptors are right on the pesos. Nothing can be taken for granted; new adventures constantly await you.
Adore your blog!
Irma
Thanks so much, Irma! XO