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Expat Shopping
I’ve been here long enough that day-to-day life feels pretty normal and I don’t notice most of the differences. Yet occasionally I’m reminded of my multi-culture lifestyle. Today was one of those days. The weather was nice, after a day of rain yesterday, and I wanted to get out and enjoy it. We decided to [...]
CNN World: Modern Day Slavery in the Gulf
Photo Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images While this article specifies working conditions for cheap foreign labor in Qatar and the UAE, sadly these policies and unfair systems in place also apply to Saudi Arabia. This article is reprinted from CNN World and was published on April 24, 2013... Show More Summary
On being gluten-intolerant in France
I say "No, thank you" to the offered pastry and accept the quizzical, hurt look from the bearer.
A Real American Bedouin
Erga Rehns was born in Palestine in 1935. She was raised in New York, lived in Portugal, and lived among the Bedouins in the desert of Wadi Rum in Jordan. This post contains two videos from 2007 that were posted by Al Jazeera about her...Show More Summary
No sweet revenge on the Seoul subway
For the first 15 months, neither the subway lady voice nor the crowds bothered me.
4 English rules you don't know
My flash cards looked like Corn Flakes.
Wordless Wednesday: The Art of Making Peace
Tagged: heart sword sculpture on stadhuisbrug, photography, swords, treaty of utrecht, vrede van Utrecht, wordless wednesday
The Highest Mailbox in the Land
No, I don’t mean the mailbox had too much wietsaus over the weekend … Yesterday saw the opening of the highest mailbox in the Netherlands, located on the top of the Domtoren. Poor postal worker, having to climb all those stairs! That might make me want to go a bit postal, as well! But seriously, [...]
My perception of femininity in India
My understandings of Indian femininity were initially judgmental.
How to piss off a Czech
If you see a queue in the Czech Republic, get on it. There's something you want at the end.
Subtle Signs of Integration
Deciding to enjoy the nice weather — which turned out to be much warmer than yesterday! — we headed out to take a few photos and then get our hands on the “gratis frites” from Manneken Pis. Since we were over by the Stadhuis, we went to the shop on Steenweg. There was a steady, [...]
Free Weed
… sauce and fries! Remember the other week when I mentioned that Manneken Pis was going to start offering a wietsaus (weed sauce) as one of the various dipping options? Well, now is your chance to try it for yourself. Tomorrow (21 April, although I’m guessing it would have been even more appropriate today if [...]
Book Couriers and Bookstores in Utrecht
I came across a new service here in Utrecht that is handy for book lovers. There is now a book courier service available that can get a book to you within two hours. Order between 9-20:00 and they’ll deliver between 10-21:00. For free! The service is through Selexyz, one of the large book chains in [...]
On being foreign in South Korea
I wasn’t the sexualized Western female, the fat American, the junior coworker.
20 names for 20 weird travel moments
20 brand-new names for 20 classic travel scenarios.
Wordless Wednesday: For All Your Flooring Needs
Tagged: carpet advert, Dutch adverts, Dutch architecture, oudegracht, photography, reclame, wall advertisements, wordless wednesday
How the ugly American studies abroad
Are you really prepared, or have you just been watching Amelie on repeat?
Suck it up and Deal With it!
After more than five years here in Saudi Arabia, transportation continues to be a major frustration for me. As you all should know by now, women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Many women here have drivers but I have not been so fortunate. Show More Summary
The Art of Silk Painting in Jeddah
This morning I attempted something new – the art of silk painting! I enrolled in a private class here in Jeddah given by a lovely lady named Q. Q has been doing silk painting since she was a teen. My first attempt at silk painting - by Susie of Arabia I opted to draw my fish design freehand. Show More Summary
Southern Gargoyles
I can’t believe it’s been almost two months since I posted any gargoyles! I’ve been taking photos, but haven’t been blogging them due to work/time/patience restraints. I think it’s definitely time to rectify this! The stone sentries you’ll be seeing today are my southern gargoyles, and while I could make some sort of analogy about [...]
