The Ex-pat Manifesto

Here's something I picked up on gapingvoid. I like it; it kind of embodies where my heart is at the moment. Hope you like it, too.

The Expat Manifesto:

1. I live here because I want to. Just because I could be paid better for the same job back home does not give me the right to complain about it. In fact, just because anything at all is different here, I do not have the right to be rude about those whose country it really is (”the locals”).
2. Having infinite patience means it goes on forever, or, no matter how long those *&#!@ locals take to process a form or fix the plumbing, I’m the only one that cares if I loose my patience.
3. Even if I am conned, robbed, humiliated, lonely or homesick, it is worth remembering afterwards that I decided to step out of my comfort zone in the first place.
4. It really doesn’t matter if I hang out with the locals or with other ex-pats, as long as I am happy…
5. But those who continually complain about their new surroundings are to be avoided. It’s contagious.
6. Wow, everything is… new… it’s not the same as where I came from! What a chance to stimulate my senses! I will take photographs, maybe write a blog or keep a diary, produce podcasts, videos - I’m enjoying the fact that my new point of view is necessarily different, I’m revelling in these new opportunities to feel creative!

Family is good for you

It’s been a while since my last post – I’ve been away. My family had come out from South Africa, and we’ve been exploring the sites, smells, sounds, tastes and stuff of Antwerp. It was fantastic. Not only was seeing my family food for the soul, it was also fantastic to have a holiday. I love the stuff I do for a living, but I’ve not had a holiday since, well, my last holiday.

Much to write of.

Been up the Boerentoren, yet? Do yourself a favour, and do so, if you can. 26 (?) floors, with some stunning sweeping scenes of the city. And some great samples of Antwerpian humour, too:

In case you can't see it, it's a layout of the horizon ahead of your view, including the Pyramids, Taj Mahal and they Sydney Opera House, with a foot note that these are only viewable on a clear day. Only in Antwerp.

Take a walk in the underground city ruins too. 3 hours of walking in the ancient rivulets and canals, looking up (as opposed to down, which we've all done) manhole covers – really cool stuff.

Then, tried many new tastes and restaurants in Antwerp. I'd particularly recommend Restaurant Rambaud. Please eat there before you die. I am a veggie, and the chef gave me a partridge to eat. It was delicious. Oh, the unlikely combination of remorse and finger-licking taste.

And my favourite local restaurant Lenny’s comes highly recommended, too. Though they are guaranteed to forget your order, make you wait, give you something you never ordered, make you wait a bit more… but whatever you end up with is so utterly scrumptious, enjoyable, delicious and served with such Antwerpian charm that you can do nothing but enjoy. Here is Lenny's:

I dunno. Maybe the effect of having my family here has made me all loved up.

And speaking of love, we went to Paris, too. A lovely city. Not Antwerp, of course, but lovely in any event. Some pics below, with more on my Flickr pages.