December 15, 2005I know what it takes to learn a foreign language, and I know how vital it is to be able to communicate in the local language. I also know that many organizations, government and private sector, do an inadequate job of preparing their employees (and the families of the employees) to survive in a foreign language setting. Continue Reading
Know More: Embassies and Consulates, Governments & Laws A passport is a document issued by a government to allow the bearer to “pass” the “port” of entry of another country. It is evidence that the issuing country recognizes and validates the bearer of the passport. And while you may pay a hefty fee to get…
Borrowing from the web page of the Islamic Network Group, here’s something that people everywhere ought to be aware of this week. The event is past, but the consequences will occur this week and beyond. January 8, 2006 – January 11, 2006Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca)The Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of several…
While shopping in a flea market in Chile years ago I was surprised to find an 1832 U.S. half dollar. Then I remembered that all Atlantic-to-Pacific sea traffic had to circumnavigate South America until the Panama Canal was opened in 1914. Remnants of far-off societies can still be found all along the coasts. This episode…
I have again received a comment from an anonymous source, and once again I have let it stay because it is pertinent and well-reasoned. While I prefer for sources to name themselves, I’ll happily accept knowledge from any source. I must, however, take exception to the suggestion made by Anonymous that all comments should be…
Some comments are OK left to their own devices, but one arrived today that I want to highlight. In reply to my entry of this morning concerning president-elect Evo Morales in Bolivia, a commenter named Eduardo says: “Ex-pats should not be concerned. All indications are that Morales will be more moderate. In fact, they are…
How many of you expats are living overseas in an ancestral homeland? What motivated you to move there? I have seen enough in my many years of travel and genealogical research to suggest that there is some sort of innate affinity–or perhaps a fascination–with the homeland of one’s ancestors. I have often heard travelers talk about…