expatsHaarlem

Schiphol expects crowded Autumn holiday

Schiphol is preparing for a busy time during the upcoming autumn holiday. Schiphol expects around 3 million people will travel through Schiphol in the coming days. This is 6 percent more than the autumn holiday of last year.

The airport is taking additional measures to make traveling through Schiphol as pleasant as possible, Nu.nl reports.

The most popular holiday destinations this autumn are Barcelona, London, Antalya, Malaga and Milan.

The busiest departure days will be on Friday October 20th and Sunday October 22nd. On Friday October 27th, the largest number of people is expected to arrive at the Amsterdam airport.

Schiphol advises travelers to make sure they arrive at the airport on time and check in online from home.

July 2017 was Schiphol’s busiest month ever. According to Nu.nl a total of 6.7 million people traveled through the airport in July.

10 Things All Women Travelers Should Know About Staying Safe Abroad

It’s not always easy being a woman. As much as we’d like to think that women travelers have the same freedoms as their male counterparts, this is not always the case. And as far as the feminist movement has come over the past decade, it remains true that women travelers need to take certain precautions while traveling abroad.

I traveled through Africa solo in my early twenties – much to my parents’ horror! – so I know firsthand that traveling can be an enormously fun and life-changing experience. I soon caught the travel bug and have rarely stayed home for longer than six months before jetting off again. It’s not difficult for women travelers to stay safe while traveling abroad, and many of these tips will be equally useful for male travelers. A little prior planning and foresight allow women travelers to experience more freedom and a level of spontaneity while abroad than ever before.

1. Keep Your Valuables On-Hand

Whether you’re a flashpacker who can travel for weeks with a single day pack’s worth of luggage, or whether you can’t leave home without your five-piece Samsonite luggage set, never let your valuables out of your sight. Your passport, cell phone, money, and travel documents need to stay as close to your body as possible, never in an overhead compartment of a plane or bus, and certainly never in checked baggage. A good way to make this process simple is to practice packing light – practicing piles vs. stuffing, and opting to go digital (music, books, etc.) to keep things light.

2. Blend In

Even if you plan on hitting every tourist hotspot imaginable, try not to look too much like a tourist. Do your best to blend in with the locals, especially in terms of fashion and cultural gestures. Do your research in advance to find out whether tank tops or sundresses will be appropriate at your destination: you may find that it’s customary to cover your shoulders and wear long slacks. If you look too much like a tourist, you’ll be easy prey for pickpockets.

3. Know Where You’re Going (Or Do a Good Job of Pretending To)

Confidence is vital for women travelers. When you walk with purpose and maintain good posture, you’ll give off an air that you know exactly where you’re going. This has nothing to do with being ladylike and everything to do with not becoming a victim, especially to pickpockets and scammers who target women travelers who look lost or alone. Even if you’re traveling solo, pretend you’re meeting a group of friends on the next corner.

4. Stay Accountable

Leave your travel itinerary with a trusted person back home, and promise to check in regularly. A quick email or Skype session from a public internet booth or Wi-Fi hotspot every second day will suffice to make sure that someone knows where you are and that you’re safe.

5. Dump Your Drink

This tip is no different for women travelers as it is for women in their hometown: if you need to leave your drink, even for a moment, dump it to escape drink spiking, and buy a fresh one instead. Anyone interested in spiking your drink will be able to do it in a fraction of the time you may think it would take, so don’t leave anything to chance. Keep your drink in your hand or within sight, or start fresh with a new one.

6. Prepare for Your Cell Phone to Die

When packing, assume that your cell phone will break or run out of charge at least once during your trip. With that in mind, pack a small notepad and pen to write directions, phone numbers, and addresses, and consider bringing a small travel alarm clock so you don’t miss a flight or transfer.

7. Write The Address of Your Accommodation on Small Cards

Print out a few small business card-sized copies of the address of your accommodation, and keep them in your purse. If you’re traveling to a non-English speaking country, write out the address in English as well as in the local language. It was much easier for me to hand over a card with the hotel’s address in Chinese characters to the Cantonese-speaking taxi driver in Hong Kong, rather than trying to communicate the address using pidgin English and arm gestures.

8. Keep Up Your Fitness

Vacation is usually the time to allow yourself the luxuries that you might otherwise be denied, but as a woman traveler, it’s important to stay fit and healthy while abroad. Get enough sleep, keep taking your vitamins, and don’t completely forego exercise while abroad. Your health and energy will be one of your greatest assets while traveling.

9. Remember Your Medications

Even if you’ve regularly taken medication for years, it’s very common for even long-held habits to disappear in a new environment. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take any regular medications, or link your medications to another daily activity. I like to tie my contraceptive pill packet to my toothbrush handle so that I’m reminded twice a day.

10. Trust Your Instincts

HAARLEMSE BOKBIERDAG 2017

The fall has its advantages. Sunday October 15th is the Haarlemse Bokbierdag! During De Haarlemse Bokbierdag, 16 different bars in Haarlem will let you taste the best Bokbier.

The 16 different bars in Haarlem have each other bokbieren on tap.

The degustation at the participating bars starts at 13:00 hours and the day ends at 20:00 hours. Participation costs € 5, – . You will receive directions, a stamp card and a small bite. At the end of the trip (with 6 stamps) you will get a gift is in the bar where you started.

Payments can only be done by cash or PIN at the bar.

  DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE BOKBIER AT THE BOKBIERDAG HAARLEM.

Haarlem Talks - Samantha Caputo

Welcome to Haarlem Talks! This is a new monthly interview series for ExpatsHaarlem. Being an expat myself I was interested in a lot of things other expats think, feel or experience living in Haarlem. In Haarlem Talks, we get to know a new Haarlem expat every month through a series of questions regarding, lifestyle, likes, dislikes and other personal things! I hope you enjoy!

Meet Samantha Caputo a stay at home mom with 3 beautiful children from the US. She loves Haarlem’s beauty without the craziness of a big city, she enjoys reading and writing in her spare time and she thinks the Corrie Ten Boom House is Haarlem’s hidden gem.

1. Where are you from? We come from the United States of America

2. Why did you leave your home country? My husband was offered a job in Amsterdam.

3. How did you end up in the Netherlands? We actually lived here once before when my husband was doing his Ph.D. in Leiden. We lived there for nearly 5 years, had 2 babies and then moved back to the US when he finished. I was 20 weeks pregnant with our third baby at the time. We lived back in the States for 2 before an opportunity came up for a job in Amsterdam. We weren’t even considering moving back at that time (we had a 1, 3, and 4 year old and the thought of another international move was terrifying). But after lots of conversations, we decided it was the right move for our family.

4. Why did you choose to live in Haarlem? Haarlem is such a beautiful, old city. It has the Dutch charm without the craziness of the city. For families, it’s such a great place to live. We live in a very typical Dutch neighborhood, our kids go to a Dutch basis school, and I love that I feel comfortable letting my kids bike on their own occasionally, something I would never let them do so young in a bigger city like Amsterdam.

5. How do you cope with being away from home? It’s difficult at times. Celebrating American holidays with other American friends is something we look forward to. Luckily, with technology, the kids are able to talk to their grandparents almost any time. That makes things easier. But also, we really try to integrate here, so that this feels more and more like home.

6. If you found it hard to settle down in another place what were the things that helped you get through the hard times? I think finding something you enjoyed doing in your home country, be it a sport, arts, writing, etc., and finding others who enjoy doing it. It’s something familiar to you and helps you make new friends. Also, just talking about it with people who have gone through the same thing. Being an expat, it’s like you already have a built-in family. Other expats have been through what you are going through, everyone can relate and it really helps to know you aren’t the only one who felt like grabbing your passport, heading to the airport for home and never looking back.

7. What do you do for a living? I’m a stay at home mom but was a social worker before we moved abroad.

8. Do you have a hobby or any other activity you enjoy doing? Right now my life is pretty much raising 3 small children. I do enjoy reading and writing, helping others, and traveling.

9. In your opinion what is the hardest thing being an expat? Not having the family support around. Especially for me as a mom, not having someone I can call to come help with the kids or to give me a break. You get used to doing everything on your own.

10. In your opinion what is the best thing about being an expat? New adventures! We obviously loved it so much we did it a second time, even though it is hard. It’s amazing to explore a new culture, expose your children to new ideas, countries, languages, etc. I also love having friends from all over the world. In an expat community, friendship knows no borders.

11. Do you have a good/funny/nice/heartwarming story about Haarlem and the locals? What is it? Not yet but so far everyone has been super friendly

12. What are the things you love most about living in the Netherlands, Dutch people and the culture in general? I love the laid back attitude towards things. It seems life is much simpler and everyone operates at a slower pace. It forces us to slow down and enjoy the little moments.

13. Do you have a favorite Dutch dish you would recommend? Olibollen!

14. What are the things you like most about Haarlem? It’s such a beautiful city with a history. I love all the quaint side streets and like to walk around and see all the old houses. It’s very family friendly.

15. What is your favorite Haarlem moment? (If you have a very nice and personal experience that you would like to share.) I love that there are so many festivals, music nights, activities, etc. always happening. When you come into the center, there is always something happening and it’s so great to experience.

16. What are the favorite places you like to go out to eat and/or drink in Haarlem? Still discovering those.

17. What do you think are the must-see locations in Haarlem? I think a hidden gem is the Corrie Ten Boom house. She was a Christian woman who helped hide Jewish people in her home during the war. You can actually see the hiding place where people hid from the Nazi’s. It is such an amazing, preserved part of history. People should also just walk around the center and explore because there are so many unique shops, alleys, and restaurants.

18. If you could give only one piece of advice to fellow expats who are new to Haarlem what would it be? Get a bike and cycle around and get lost. It’s the best way to explore the city and see things you would never normally see if you are just following the map to your destination.

Are You Hiding Your Depression?

Depression is an often silent feeling that creeps up on us and isn’t easy to identify straight away. This is especially true for those who have relocated. Because it’s normal to feel alone or sad while away from “home” or when your support system is not yet strong enough – right? Well, if you find that you’re just not bouncing back, you may be depressed. Understanding depression and its signs, including the more subtle ones, can help you to unmask what’s really going on.

Do you ever feel absent from your own life or that you are holding your breath?

Do you feel unmotivated to do things you once enjoyed?

Do you feel your friendships drifting away? Are you hiding the pain behind that smile?

Or do you know someone who is feeling this way?

If this has been going on for a while, it’s possible that you, or your loved one, is experiencing depression.

Depression is a persistent extreme sadness that affects the daily lives of those who suffer from it. It can be described as a period of low self-esteem, severe loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, and a significant reduction in energy.

Types of depression

Although we each experience depression differently, there are four common types of depressive traits that tend to affect people*:

Major depression – extreme sadness and low mood, as well as some or all of the symptoms above, for a long period of time

Situational depression – a depression that follows specific stressful events, like moving to a new country, changing jobs or adjusting to a new culture

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – affects those who have moved to countries that do not get much sunlight, especially in the winter months

Postpartum (or postnatal) depression – major depression shortly after giving birth. It’s true that many women also get depressed when they cannot conceive at all.

How does it feel to have depression?

Some describe it as a dark presence following them around; others feel distant from their own lives. Though your experience of depression is unique to you, being attentive to the more common signs is a first step to getting the right kind of support.

Note that the following list is not a diagnosis or a checklist; nor is it exhaustive. There are many other symptoms of depression and this is a guide only. Bear in mind that some of the signs below may be as a result of other conditions (e.g. health conditions).

You feel constantly sad, irritable or lethargic. You feel hopeless and helpless as if no one is there to help.

You don’t ask for help because you don’t want to be a burden on others.

You’ve withdrawn from social situations.

You feel you are not worthy or that you are not “good enough”.

You find it hard to imagine the short and long-term future. You may want to stay at home, or in bed, and not think about goals or commitments.

Your sleeping and eating patterns have changed.

You feel guilty about how you are feeling.

You’re struggling to concentrate. You may find yourself falling behind on work or assignments.

And some of the more hidden signs…

Many people who suffer from depression put on a brave face, hiding the pain behind their smiles. Why would someone do this?

Because it is hard to know for sure what’s going on or to accept that we have depression. We may feel judged or ashamed. We also don’t want to burden others and may be afraid to ask for help. Be on the look-out for the more subtle signs. The list below covers some fairly common behaviors in those who are trying to hide their depression, whether consciously or not:

Avoid talking about how they feel or deflect people who try to engage with them about their emotions.

Try to seem happy and pleasant, so that they can avoid questions like “Is everything okay?” or “Is there something you’d like to talk about?”.

Respond to their low mood by focusing on work as a way to “forget”.

Experience changes in sleeping and eating patterns.

Tend to expect the worst; their attitude towards, life, work, and love is generally pessimistic.

Project negatives thoughts into the future and feels that things will always be this way; e.g. a single person who thinks they will always be alone.

React in a highly emotional way to situations or discussions that are not emotionally loaded (or even when watching a movie). The person may apologize immediately for this reaction so they don’t have to talk more about it.

It can be difficult to help someone who isn’t able to recognize or admit what is going on. If you notice these characteristics in someone you care about, it often helps to discuss depression more generally with the person. For example, you might chat with a depressed friend, how he was behaving and how his therapist and support system helped him get through it. n this way, you show that you are available to this person, without making it personal. You show understanding and also pass on the message that they can overcome this.

Where to turn for help

If you aren’t getting better or experience more (or worse) symptoms, we advise you to seek professional help. This is a sign of strength, not weakness. The way you feel right now doesn’t have to be this way. Give yourself a chance. You are most welcome to contact Expat Nest if this feels right for you. We offer online consultations from professionally qualified and experienced counselors. We also offer support in several languages and at a time that works best for you, in the comfort of your environment. We are here to support you and to help you find the light at the end of this dark tunnel.

*This article is not meant to diagnose depression but to highlight some of its more common traits. If you feel that you have symptoms of depression, we advise you to consult a doctor and/or mental health professional.

Things to do to make your day unforgettable in Haarlem.

So here it is, one more weekend is knocking on your door, wake up sunshine, today will the day full of bright emotions.

Breakfast in Haarlem

But first – coffee and breakfast. Go to the Mica café, where two charming sisters and their puppy are creating magic all day. I would go for eggs Benedict or caramelized oatmeal and coffee of course. Have some small talk, the day has just started.

© https://workfrom.co/mica-coffee-bar

  Snack in Haarlem

After breakfast, have a walk along the Spaarne river and canals, enjoy the vibrations of the city and grab the best home-made ice-cream at IJssalonGarrone, open since 1949 they produce the most interesting tastes ever existed. Basilium-mint, lavender or parsley – what will you choose?

© http://haarlemfoodies.nl/ijssalon-garrone-       aanstaande-zaterdag-weer-open/

  Nature in Haarlem

Across the street, there is the Albert Heijn store. Here buy some food for the picnic and be ready to cycle for twenty minutes. Head to the Zuid-Kennemerland park, meet deer, and foxes, catch the sun and find a perfect spot for a picnic next to one of the hidden lakes. There are six of them there. After you are settled for a picnic, relax, read a book, and connect with nature.

© http://foonfoto.nl/2015/11/12/mooie-plekken-voor-een-instawalk-zuid-kennemerland/

The North Sea

Then cycle to the beach of the North Sea. It’s always an adventure. The North Sea doesn’t look like any other seas in the world: it’s flat and gray, it’s powerful and peaceful. The coastline treads and retreats, leaving a lot of sea treasures on the sand. Have lunch at the Woodstock 69 or San Blas – two places which will surprise you with its Cuban-Spanish atmosphere and unexpected meals.

© https://www.leetchi.com/c/soziales-von-soraya

  Movie time in Haarlem

Prepare to cycle back to Haarlem and watch a movie. If you are picky and don’t like spending your time on blockbusters or stupid comedies, then go to Toneelschuur: there you will find popular movies from Cannes festival which will get your heart away.

© http://www.jessicazeylmaker.nl/single-post/2014/04/02/On-Sunday-6-april-Jessica-plays-at-Nachtgasten-Night-guests-

  Dinner in Haarlem

Ready for the dinner? Visit Back to Basics restaurant and find yourself in Italy: Italian waiters will serve you real Italian pizzas and pasta with a real Italian generosity. After the dinner drop into Vinq – the wine bar at the Grote Markt and have a wine tasting for 6 euros only.

© https://www.tripadvisor.nl/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g188593-d6715511-i101573703-Back_to_Basics-Haarlem_North_Holland_Province.html

  Dancing in Haarlem

Finish your day at the Kokonoches, the Cuban nightclub, where salsa music and a couple of mojitos will help you burn the dance floor.

Geschiedenis Festival 2017

Want to learn more about the country you live in? Come to this year’s Geschiendenis Festival! This year, the Historisch Nieuwsblad is hosting this event where historians from The Netherlands and abroad speak about a range of diverse topics from the violent battle during the Ardennes Offensive to Surinamese history!

This is your chance to learn from experts about how The Netherlands influenced many parts of the world throughout its extensive history. This festival will capture your inner historian as it offers something for everyone!

Please do not miss this chance to enrich your knowledge on how this relatively small nation helped influence this world throughout the centuries to what it is today! The festival takes place at Philharmonie Haarlem on October 7 from 9:00 – 18:00.

How to entertain kids when its raining in Haarlem.

As great as the beach and lakes are, they are not quite as appealing on a blustery, rainy day, but then again, neither is staying inside the house for days on end, so what to do…

Here are some ideas to entertain your kids:

The kids cafes/child-friendly cafes with a play area/corner. I think we are so lucky to have so many options in what is a relatively small city.

Here are a few I especially like;

Mini-Markt

Brownies & Downies

Pippas

Meneer Paprika

Cleef

Kweekcafe

Dolhuys

Yoghurt Barn

Bistro Bis

French Napa

The Cinema.

Kids clubs.

Such as Little Gym, Music & Dance Groups

Swimming.

De Klimmuur.

Climbing for kids. Each first Wednesday of every month they offer the chance for children, aged 4-12 to try out indoor climbing for a small fee.

Soft play centers.

Jump in the car/hire a green wheel and go to an indoor play center. Our fave is Kidszoo in Noordijk en Zee. There is also news of a new indoor-play opening in the Leidsevaart in the coming months. How exciting!

The libraries.

Museums & places of interest.

Suitable for kids (depending on age)

Archeological museum

Teylers Museum

Molen de Adriaan

Corrie Ten Boom House (for older children)

City Day Trips.

In Amsterdam, our rainy day favourites include; Artis Zoo, Tropenmuseum, Micropia, The Eye Film Museum, Candy Castle & KinderKookKafe to name a few.

Day trips to Leiden, Den Haag, Utrecht etc…especially great if you have Museum Cards for the family. www.museumkids.nl

Not to forget that this coming month, October is kids month in Haarlem, so expect many events taking place across the city.

So all in all, no reason to stay inside and complain about the weather, though we can of course always find a reason to do that!

Haarlem Duurzaam Festival 2017

Haarlem Duurzaam Festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year! Every year the festival hosts numerous stands where you can buy sustainable and organic products as well as learn about sustainable and circular initiatives provided by groups such as Haarlem Plastic Vrij and Steenbreek023.

There will be workshops available on induction cooking and speakers providing information on how you can reduce your carbon footprint as a consumer and how Haarlem can reach climate neutral by 2030 and natural gas free by 2040.

Please come join the festival on October 1 from 12:00 – 17:00 at the Grote Markt to learn more about how Haarlem is improving sustainable living and transportation! Entry for visitors is FREE!  If you would like to participate in the festival itself, please visit the website for more information.

For more information on the festival, please visit http://www.degroenemug.nl/pages/over-ons/haarlem-duurzaam-festival.php

For information on Haarlem Plastic Vrij, please visit http://haarlemplasticvrij.nl/

Speeches, presentations, workshops, exhibitors, kids entertainment, Tierney’s Pub Quiz, popular music band The Buccaneers, drinks, meeting people & having fun.

Join the largest bilingual fair in the Haarlem area!

Get your FREE tickets now!

The program will cover topics from a wide range of businesses and organisations, there will also be workshops and presentations on: Housing – Transport –  Finance – Healthcare – Relocation – Employment – Entrepreneurship – Families – Education – Culture – Going Out – Food – Hobbies – Sports and Clubs. All conveniently brought together under one roof.

Experience Haarlem will take place on Saturday September 30th in Hart Haarlem, a gorgeous building in the center of Haarlem, there is parking and a bus station nearby, and easy to reach from Haarlem Central Station, so also from outside Haarlem.

The fair is from 2-5 pm. Then, starting at 5 pm, it’s time for entertainment with Tierney’s Irish Pub Quiz and the performance of the popular music band and festival winner The Bucaneers. The bar will be open for all your social and business networking needs. You might even make some new friends !

Families are welcome and can drop the little ones off at the Kids’ area, a supervised play space by professional childcare for children aged zero to eight years. The fair presents offer for older kids as well.

Program

2 pm DOORS OPEN 2 pm – 5 pm FAIR. Professional childcare program for the kids.

5 pm – 7 pm  FAIR ENTERTAINMENT:

5:00 opening

5:15 pm PUB QUIZ by Tierney’s Irish Pub,

5:30-6:15 pm  MUSIC BAND THE BUCCANEERS

6-7 pm DRINKS

Read more on the Experience Haarlem website.

Get your FREE tickets now!

Speakers

Seminar Room

2:30-3:00 pm – Vincent J. van Wijgerden of Expat Taxes; The Dutch Income Tax System and 30% ruling explained: a Short Guide to the world of Dutch taxes for expats

3:10-3:40 pm O’ona Soussi; Career On Purpose; Career transitions made simple: 6 critical steps to find your meaningful work

3:50-4:30 pm – Margreet van ’t Haaff of TaalHuis; Workshop Spreek Nederlands met mij.

4:40- 5:10 pm – Jeroen Spek and Dennis De Waart of De DAKKAS; A green and urban place to meet, eat and drink and enjoy the view!

Workshop Room Sessions

2:20-2:50 pm – Cara Crisler and Mirjam Schulpen of Mirjam Schulpen Coaching & Training,  LESS stress and conflict . . . MORE understanding and peace

3:00-3:20 pm – Danielle de Graaf of Kinderopvang Haarlem. Day nursery and Out-of-school childcare in Haarlem.

3:30-4:00 pm – Rachel Smets of Rachel Smets Trainer, Cultures: Be different. Make a difference.  

4:10 -4:40 pm –  Liaget Anwar of Independent Expat Finance & Sjouke Jager of My Home Relocator, How to get financial peace of mind & Buying a house in the Netherlands

4:10 -5:20 pm – Irene Bunt of Settle Services ‘Renting a house in and around Haarlem’.

Read more on the Experience Haarlem website.

Get your FREE tickets now!

35 Exhibitors 

A1 Executive Estate, AltraItalia,Blacktower/Beacon Financial Education,Cara Crisler – Easing Connection, Career On Purpose, Coach Active, Cricketclub Rood/Wit, expatsHaarlem, Expat Taxes, Haarlem Foto Club, Haarlem Hotel Suites,Haarlem Marketing, Haarlemmermeersche Golfclub, Hart Haarlem, Holland Casino, Kinderopvang (Kids Day care) Haarlem, Kenamju Sport & Health, Independent Expat Finance, International School Haarlem, Iyengar Yoga, Jacinta Noonan, LightHouse properties, Madrelingua Language Services, Mijn Financier.nl, My Home Relocator, Mister Mortgages, Platform B, Rabobank, Settle Services, Taalthuis, Tierney’s Irish Pub,Toneelschuur Haarlem, Vrijwilligers Centrale Haarlem, 24 NANNIES.

Get your FREE tickets now!

Kids Entertainment 

24NANNIES will make sure the kids are entertained. Find their program and sign up your kids here. Parents can enjoy the fair and have a coffee together while the kids are having fun. Kids can also try the swing with Haarlemmermeersche Golfclub and parents get information about kids karate, judo, kickboxing, swimming (diploma) and cricket at the fair.

Get your FREE tickets now!

Entertainment program

Opening by Arianna Ardia-Wenink, initiator of the Experience Haarlem Fair

5:15, Pub quiz by Tierney’s Irish Pub

5:30-6:15Live band The Buccaneers

6-7 Drinks

Hungry? Tierney’s Irish Pub serves serve Beef and Guinness stew.

Read more on the Experience Haarlem website.

Get your FREE tickets now!

Sponsors

Interview of the month September 2017– Interview with Kristen Palana

While supporting expats to settle in smoothly, I publish these interviews, revealing personal stories, tips, and ideas. Arriving in a new country is such a change, so how can you make it feel ‘’Home’’ easily? This month, answers are revealed by Kristen, an expert in moving abroad.

 Original country:  USA

Expat countries:  Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Myanmar (With short-term working stints also in India, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania

Current country:  Myanmar

  Your story in a nutshell:

I am an American/Portuguese multimedia artist recently based in Rome, Italy where I served as Associate Professor of Digital Media and the Director of the Film and Digital Media Program at The American University of Rome since 2006. In July of 2016, I moved to Yangon, Myanmar where I am now currently an Associate Professor of Digital Media at American University of Myanmar. I work on animation, video, graphic design, illustration, web and interactive projects independently, as well as for clients and non-profit organizations (www.kpalana.com) The vast majority of the work that I do is to promote positive social change.

I have taught undergraduate and graduate college students since 2000, as well as offered art and multimedia courses in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Besides teaching tens of thousands of online students at Udemy and other platforms, I’m also a Course Facilitator for the UN-mandated University for Peace (Costa Rica) through their Centre For Executive Education.

We came to Myanmar mainly for my husband’s job at the UN’s World Food Programme. We liked life in Rome, but conditions were not right for us to put down roots and we wanted to explore another part of the world. So here we are.

Biggest challenges:

-Helping my two sons, ages 5 and 7 feel settled. And also trying to find ways that they don’t lose their Italian language! -Dealing with the weird sensation of leaving full-time employment to being an entrepreneur and someone looking to teach in-person in my new home.

  Did you integrate and adjust smoothly? What went well and what was hard:

It has been nearly a year now in Myanmar. Initially, I wondered if I would hate, like, or even love my new home. It’s one of the few places in my life that I moved to without having had the opportunity to visit first. (The other two were Edinburgh, Scotland and Los Angeles, CA. respectively.)

I can now say with profound certainty that it is indeed, love.  Yangon, Myanmar is the most happening city in all of Myanmar and yet it doesn’t suffer (yet) from choking smog or that boxed-in feeling you might get from larger cities from an over-abundance of giant skyscrapers blocking out the sun.

You certainly can find too much traffic and crowded, teeming streets full of humanity. And while you might pass several beautiful towering golden pagodas or temples, you will also most certainly see moldy-looking buildings that are downright run-down with trash piling up in their back alleyways and spilling into the streets. For this reason, I have (I believe) invented a new word to help me describe my Yangon: Shabbical. (That’s part shabby, part magical.) The magic lies in the small details. Here you are more likely to get a heartfelt smile and a wave from a gang of teenagers on the street as opposed to the finger like in other parts of the world.

Myanmar, despite being one of the poorest countries in Asia also happens to be the world’s most generous country according to the CAF World Giving Index.

Where you find inspiration from:

Daily life and the kindness of most locals.

  Do you feel you belong or rather feel a stranger?

I feel both depending on the day.

  Please tell us your important TIP(s) when moving to a new country:

Do Your Homework OK. I know that sounds boring, but do read up on where you will be moving to; its history, customs, places of interest, challenges, etc… The more you arm yourself with knowledge about your new home, the less weird and foreign it will seem which will then lead to you having more confidence to walk around as a new citizen rather than as a timid tourist. It also helps to stock up on maps, books, videos, and other resources that you can go back to again and again as you are dipping your toe in the waters of your new home.

Smile, Make Nice and DO Learn at Least Some of the Local Language No joke but the day I found out we were moving to Myanmar, one of the first questions I had was, “What language do they even speak?” Ba-ma-za-ga would be the answer. (That’s Burmese in Burmese but using our Roman alphabet. Baby steps!)

I believe that the very first words you should learn, even if you are just making a day trip to a foreign country are at a minimum, “Hello” and “Thank You.” Particularly when you are traveling in parts of the world where the languages are mainly spoken only by locals, it’s worth it just to see the LOOK on people’s surprised and happy faces. Learning even just a few words of the local language says a lot about what kind of person you are. Being able to even just say “thank you,” even if you botch the whole thing up, also means that you are respectful, empathetic, and humble enough to at least try.

Upon Arrival, Sign Up for a Class…. Stat! It doesn’t have to be a language class, though for purely survival reasons I recommend starting there. (The downside for me is I now speak the most Burmese in our family so have to do all the taxi negotiations, restaurant ordering, and asking for directions…) When you move somewhere new, suddenly you are a stranger. All your family and friends are thousands of miles away. Even the people from your old grocery store and the coffee shop who said hi to you each day are nowhere to be found. The best way to start feeling normal again is to start putting yourself out there (sounds like dating!) and interacting both with locals as well as other expats.

Great options include language classes, meditation groups, religious study groups, sports clubs, continuing education classes and more. Look for classes and other meet-up events for expats through groups like Internations as well as local Facebook and Google groups for expats in the city you just moved to. Try to do this BEFORE your move so you can make a few online friends and get information before you even set foot in your new home.

Helping Others Also Helps You You may or may not know that moving to a new city or country is extremely taxing. Many people, despite brave faces and the best of intentions, end up depressed at first. It’s not easy starting a new life and you should give yourself the permission and space for both positive and negative emotions to pass through you. However, if you’re like me, you prefer to feel useful, happy, connected, and curious as opposed to down in the dumps. One great way to not only meet other locals and foreigners is to find ways to use your talents and skills to help the local community. There are many many non-profit centers, schools, clubs, and individuals to help. You just have to find them and make contact. Not every situation is the right fit, so the key is to just pick something, get started, and see how it goes. Rinse and repeat.

5. Now Go Get Lost So as long as you are safe (walking during the day in a generally safe area with other people around) then go get lost as well. It’s the best way to begin to orient yourself as well as clean out the cobwebs of your mind.

Andriessen de Klerk Festival 2017

This year marks the 125 and 100-year birthdays of Haarlem’s two famous composers Hendrick Andriessen and Albert de Klerk (Andriessen de Klerk Festival.) To commemorate their achievements, Haarlem is putting on a festival in various locations such as the St. Joseph’s Church and the St. Bavo’s Church (Grote Kerk). The Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen will be unveiling plaques at the houses where Andriessen and de Klerk both were born.

The Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen will be unveiling plaques at the houses where Andriessen and de Klerk both were born.

This is a very special event that you can’t miss! The whole city will be filled with music, a sight that both Andriessen and de Klerk would approve. The Andriessen de Klerk Festival takes place from September 15 – October 3 in multiple locations!

What no one tells you before you move abroad

I remember when my partner got a job here in the Netherlands and the thought of starting a new life here emerged for the first time. Of course, my closest family was worried and sad about me moving and also some of my friends too.

But most people said things like ‘Oh cool! That’s so awesome just don’t be stoned all the time, haha!’ or ‘That is so exciting! You can meet new people and anyway a new atmosphere never harmed anyone, it will do good for you!’. This last one was the same exact advice I gave to a friend a couple of years ago when she was about to move abroad for the same reason I did: love.

I didn’t quite understand why this whole idea of living in a new country is so hard on her. I didn’t judge but I didn’t know how it felt until I was walking in her shoes. Leaving my home, giving up the perfect apartment and feeling like I’m leaving everything behind made me feel miserable. I didn’t even realize how truly hard it was to make this step up until I arrived here. We rented an empty apartment so the first two weeks were all about furnishing our space, building a new home from scratch, which is fun and exciting. We got our furniture from Facebook groups, IKEA and we went to Cruquiusplein: www.boulevardcruquius.nl/winkels.php

© Anikó Alma Szörényi

    All I felt was sheer excitement and happiness and I was looking forward to what the future has to hold. And then I fell from cloud 9. I hit the bottom hard and fast, from one day to another. Yes, I admit that I do have anxiety issues and I know that the fact that I am working from home does not help the feeling of being alone and being small. Somehow when the pink clouds faded away and I was left in the apartment with a lot of work alone day after day I started to sink in self-sorrow and I felt very lonely. It felt like I wasn’t who I was before, I felt so terrible sometimes I even cried. Then it hit me. Everything that I was feeling was ok. It took all this time for my emotions of grief to arrive. It took so much time I didn’t even realize why I felt the way I did at first. I missed home. It killed me to know that I won’t go back to my beloved rented apartment because now someone else lives in it. After work, I can’t call my best friend to meet me at the beer garden to grab some drinks and talk about our day. I receive all the Facebook event requests which all have to mark with ‘I can’t attend’. I am not there anymore and this hurts. But here is the thing. When I allowed myself to finally accept my current situation I realized that I am surrounded by beauty. Not just architectural but human beauty as well. I started to meet new people all of them are great people. They make these bad feelings go away with their kindness and acceptance. Suddenly I didn’t feel so alone anymore but excited again.

© Anikó Alma Szörényi

  I started to enjoy all the little things about Haarlem. How the whole town turns into an Italian piazza in the evening with all the restaurants and ice cream places. The romantic narrow little streets with flowers and plants and tiny public libraries. I love that I can walk around without paying attention to where do I go because I am comfortable and I always find my way home. Every day I explore something new, Haarlem always shows a little bit more. She is a perky lady and she reveals all of her secrets slowly as you get to know her. I love how there are people to talk to and everyone I have met seemed to listen and care and help if it was needed. I also ate some homemade Stamppot that changed my opinion about Dutch cuisine once and for all because it was delicious. I am still a bit scared and unsure sometimes but Haarlem is the best place I could have gone to experience all of this. With the good and bad. As soon as the grief for the old life goes away (and I suppose we all grieve a little bit when we leave something behind, even if only for a while) than amazing new and fresh things will start to happen. We have to go out there and let it happen to us and find people that can help us to have that exciting new life everybody wished us for before we left home.

© Anikó Alma Szörényi

Haarlem Cultuur Festival and Open Monument Days

It’s Haarlem Cultuur Festival in the Grote Markt on September 9 and 10! Come join the fun and experience art, music, theatre and more right here in the heart of Haarlem.

Let’s not forget that it’s also Open Monument Days in Haarlem as well! This means that all entrances to monuments around Haarlem are free! Over 65 monuments will be open to the public including the Town Hall’s Graveyard.

There will be many activities for all ages! Please do not miss this opportunity to learn about the city you know and love!

Recipe: Vegan pulled pork

Since I have different kinds of food allergies I have to be very aware of what I am eating to the last ingredient. However, I love to cook and I also love to eat. One day I decided I would like to make an awesome vegan dish with a good salad. 

I started to search the internet for vegan food and found that the vegan pulled pork is actually a thing. I got immediately excited about it. I read a few recipes all of them were either soy based (an ingredient that I can’t eat, unfortunately) or jackfruit, which I haven’t seen in the Netherlands so far.

I decided I will try to make it with a lentil base and for such, I chose the green lentils. To enhance the taste and the consistency I added apples, leek, and carrots as well. I made some coleslaw and a Grande apple-pear salad. I hope you will enjoy this dish as much as I did!

  Ingredients:

‘Pulled Pork’:

125g green lentils

A quarter of a Leek

Apple

Carrots

Coconut oil (or any other oil)

Salt

Pepper

Bay leaf

Coconut flour sugar or agave syrup

Smoked paprika powder

BBQ sauce of your taste

‘Coleslaw’:

Purple cabbage

Leek or chalottes

Salt

Pepper

Vinegar

Mayo

‘Granadeapple-Pear Salad’:

Pear

Granadeapple

Roman salad

Pine seed

‘Salad Dressing’:

Walnut oil

Mustard

Salt

Pepper

Agave syrup

Cooking time: 45 mins

First of all, I put up the lentils on low fire with water and 2 bay leaves. While it was taking up some fluids, I cleaned the 4 bigger carrots an apple and I sliced them into small cubes and circles along with the leek. I got out a new pot and I caramelized a little bio brown sugar in coconut oil and I caramelized the leek then I put it aside. As soon as the majority of the water was gone from the lentils I put the sliced carrots and apples and the caramelized leeks with it put just enough water to cover all the vegetables and continued to cook it at very low temperatures. While my veggies were cooking, I sliced up a quarter of a purple cabbage and a quarter of a leek for the coleslaw. I put salt pepper and vinegar on the cabbage and the leeks and let it rest in the fridge.

When the carrots were halfway through, I took the pan off the heat waited a few minutes and added the spices: salt, pepper and about 1 table spoon of paprika powder. I mixed it, poured some more water on it (just enough to cover it again) and put it back on low heat to cook with the spices. (Extra tip: you can add white or rosé wine to the mix and a teaspoon of mustard as well) While the lentils were cooking, I washed and sliced up the salad, half of a pear and I cleaned the grande apple (I needed a quarter for the salad). I put all the salad ingredients in a bowl and quickly mixed a teaspoon of vinegar, half a teaspoon of agave syrup, a pinch of salt and pepper, a teaspoon of mustard and a teaspoon of walnut oil in a glass and spread it on the salad and sprinkled it with pine seeds (optional).

After 40 minutes the lentils and the carrots should be all soft and ready so I added about 3-4 tablespoons of BBQ sauce but I would advise to add less, taste and decide whether it needs more flavor or not. Turn the heat up under the lentils add a half a glass of water and turn it as long as the water evaporates then you are done. Take the cabbage out of the fridge mix it with vegan mayo.

After all the elements are done, you only need to grab a bun, stuff it with the pulled pork and the coleslaw, put some salad on the side and enjoy your meal!

How to overcome the post-holiday blues

Another summer has gone by…another time most of us as expats have to say goodbye to our family members back “home.” Now it’s time to start fresh and new and to slowly get back to our normal routine.

Unread emails, a flat to clean up, suitcases to unpack, kids to start school, complicated requests you’ve been avoiding… tasks are waiting for you but you feel you are not in the mood yet… or maybe you’re even wondering where you are, and why?!

Feeling blue?

After a nice summer break, many expats may have strong feelings of nostalgia, feeling blue, tiredness, the inability to settle down and do usual tasks or an increase or decrease in appetite. Even anger can be experienced, especially if the holiday was supposed to resolve issues that remain unresolved.

This may result in a feeling that you no longer want to keep doing the same things in your life, that you feel fed up or bored with the way things are in your life and you keep thinking about making a (big) change to your life.

How to overcome the blues

Not sure where to start? Here are eight ways to get back on track:

› Work on your schedule

Simplify your schedule for the first two weeks back and stick to one main goal for this fortnight.

› Unpack immediately

You don’t want to be tripping over suitcases for days. Also, try not to drag out the necessary tasks that will bring you back to your normal routine.

› Get some sunlight

Spend as much time outdoors as possible. It works!

› Reconnect with people

Call your friends in your host country, keep in touch with the ones who are far away and why not trying making some new friends?!

› Give yourself time

Experience your emotions and if you feel a bit blue after a great holiday, that’s ok. You don’t have to force yourself to feel better and happier from one moment to another.

The transition from the excitement of the holiday experience, or the goodbye to beloved ones back ‘home’, to the ‘ordinary life’ takes time. It is normal to feel blue for some time, this will get better once you get back to your daily routine.

› Share experiences and thoughts

Share your experiences or thoughts about the trip with a friend or family member. Be aware that others perhaps won’t get so excited because they didn’t share the experience, or perhaps they won’t fully understand why you are feeling down upon your return.

This doesn’t mean that others don’t care for you. Ultimately, sharing your experience will help you.

› Make small changes

Think about how your holiday experience can be useful to make good small changes in your life.

Use this time after your holiday to plan how you will achieve these small changes. Be specific and keep it short!

Also, be sure to include in your plan things that make you happy and give you a sense of taking a break once in a while.

› Reach out to professionals

If you’re at a stage in life where you feel that holidays just put a hold on pressing issues and that you are now ready to move through these issues, then this might just be the right time to get help from the professionals.

Seeking professional help can be as broad as getting an accountant to sort out your finances, a handyman to redecorate your house, signing up for a self-growth course or finding someone to help deal with the unhappy feelings you’re experiencing.

The sooner you deal with the things that are bothering you, the better.

What has helped you overcome the post-holidays blues? Which of the above tips would you use?

Schalkwijk aan Zee Festival

Come to Schalkwijk aan Zee Festival! They’ve got live music, food, drinks, sports, activities for children, and much more! Right next to the water and perfect for spending time outdoors, the festival is as it is every year, A HIT!

It’s happening on September 3 from 12:00 – 19:00 at Molenplas, Haarlem.