Living the Expat Life

One of the benefits to living in an expat community like Palm Meadows is getting to meet people from all over the globe.  No matter what country or culture we come from, Sweden, Norway, Canada, France, Germany, or U.S., we seem to all have one big thing in common that brings us together, we have moved far from home and we are now foreigners.  We have bonded over the similar foreigner experiences we have, we share directions, frustrations, laughs, then a beer, and soon all borders begin to fade.  We are now just friends. 

Getting to know the other cultures has been great fun, and a great experience for the kids.  Our immediate neighbors to our left are Swiss, and across the street they are German. The Swedish family have a young boy, Hannes, who couldn't speak much English when we got here, but our boys found ways around the language barrier and shared toy cars, making crashings sounds together.  Soon Hannes was speaking confidently in English. 

The twins became fast friends with the little German girls, Lucia (3) and Sophie (6).  Soon my girls began to talk like them with a German-English accent.  They soon started telling me what German words are for day to day things.  The kids went to summer camp together, rode scooters together through the streets, and took daily trips to the pool and playground.   It's definately been a great summer for them. 

As fun as it's been, I now understand one of the downsides to expat living, your neighbors come and go.  Two weeks ago we had to say good-bye to our neighbors from Sweden.  And in two days our friends from Germany head back home.  They've been living in Bangalore for three years and for their youngest daughter, Lucia, India is home.  My girls will miss them so much but especially their oldest, Sophie.  We've already made plans to Skype with them and we'll definately stop by for a visit if we fly back through Frankfurt.  ( Christina, if you read this, I want you to know that I've enjoyed getting to know you and have enjoyed having you as a neighbor. )

Two things living like expats has taught me, first, all kids are the same no matter what country or culture you are from. Second, no matter the differences, we all love a good laugh.