ExPatFacts: Palestine Archives

My family went pet-less overseas and then got a dog in the Middle East.  We named him Morgen.  He was a Dalmatian.  And when it came time to move from one overseas location to another, he was a hungry, nervous, piece of freight.  All things considered, having a large pet is not very compatible with…

America is, for the most part, a place of law and order.  If there are lines painted to show which way to go, we stay within the lines.  If the street has a line down the middle, we don’t often go over that line.  For the American abroad, following such restrictive habits may lead to…

Matt Ellsworth December 5, 2005 Mormon missionaries are connected to excellent support networks including communications, cultural events, and local community connections.  Whether or not you agree with their teachings or their methods, I recommend them as valuable contacts and friends while living overseas.  Continue Reading

Matt Ellsworth December 20, 2005 Sometimes monumental things happen back home while we are away.  In other words, life goes on without us.  This is especially hard for funerals and family reunions, but we also miss birthdays, weddings, and other major events.  Sometimes, like with the death of a mother, we are pulled back home. …

This entry is prompted by an article on the 60th anniversary of the World War II “War Brides Operation” that brought tens of thousands of British brides to America.  What I’m wondering is, how successful are the many mail-order bride sites out there?  A woman changing countries to become a bride isn’t an expat, she’s…

Christmas time in Abu Dhabi: the national colors of the United Arab Emirates are red, green and black, and the national day is in early December. The 8th, if I remember correctly. So in about the middle of November, the city is festooned with strings of lights—white, red, and green. It looks very much like…