Starting your life in France

If you are one of the lucky ones moving to France, then this post is for you. The four-year anniversary of our move here will be coming up in November. I can’t believe how quickly time has gone by and how much I have learned (and am still learning).

Living in a smaller town has its positive and negative aspects. The French culture here in our town is very different from what I experienced in Montpellier; French culture differs from region to region – just as in South Africa, where the regions are so markedly different in terms of dialect and traditions that you can’t really compare them. The French make fun of each other’s accents and they have different food preferences in different regions, but when it comes to socialising, the general population does it the same way. I guess we have more in common with the French than we thought.

Here is a story of a friend of mine who just moved to Grenoble. Her insight made me realise that I have forgotten how hard

Help, my children are emigrating!

When your children decide to leave the country permanently, you suddenly have to outface quite a few challenges.

The well-known columnist Cecile Cilliers says people are surprised when they hear that she has three children on three different continents. “How on earth do you endure that?” they want to know. “In the long run, one gets used to anything, my elderly godmother always said; pain, loss, and yes, even the hedge tear in the kitchen curtains!” she answers.

In the last few decades, South Africans have increasingly sought their bliss and a new life elsewhere. Large groups of South Africans permanently settled in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. However, not everyone whose children chose this way gets used to it.

Dr Douline Minnaar, a psychiatric nurse, has conducted extensive research on parents whose children emigrated. She says this news usually is a big shock for the parents. Often young people work on a contractual basis abroad and pa

South African carp fishers represented New Zealand at world championships

Marius Koekemoer and Gareth Edwards, two South African carp fishers from Auckland, are currently in France, where they participated in the World Carp Classic Tournament.

Although the tournament is 19 years old and 95 teams from across the world normally enter, it was the first time that a team represented New Zealand there. The two men have been invited five years ago to enter for the tournament, but could then not raise enough funds. This year they were lucky and could participate in the competition, which was broadcast on TV in many countries.

Teams were fishing for carp at the Madine Lake for a period of five continuous days. Marius says that the European teams once again dominated the competition.

Carp fishing is a popular activity in Europe. Marius and Gareth are experienced because they enjoyed the activity for quite a while in South Africa. They have established a club years ago on the North Shore of Auckland and hope to make the port more visible to Ne

Five travel tips that no-one tells you about

If the travel bug bites, it never lets go again. Every young person should see the world. By travelling, you not only broaden your horizons, but also your outlook on life. My husband and I love to see new places and experience new things. For this reason, we try to visit a new part of the world every year. Here are five travel tips that no-one tells you about:

Buy cheap airfare
Visit www.cheap-flights.co.za before deciding where to go. This website has a search function to allow you to find the cheapest tickets to whatever country. After deciding where to go, confirm which airline offers the cheapest tickets. We were surprised to see what difference one day can have on an air ticket. The cheapest options on www.skyscanner.net will most probably include unknown airlines. Don’t let this put you off – read a few reviews about the airline before making your choice. We travel with Angola Airlines to Portugal in August this year. The tickets were dir

Worldwide’s unique World guide

Where you can do real South African shopping in your area. Biltong, Ouma rusks, chutney, support with finance, immigration, South African lawyers, restaurants and many more can be found on Worldwide’s World guide of South African businesses.

Africola
A compact, simple restaurant with a Western and African soundtrack for African-inspired vegetables, grilled and smoked meats, flatbread, pickles and natural wine. We bring our skills from the farm under the limelight, keeping our mantra, namely Bokkies, braai, dop and chop. Our menu changes regularly to reflect seasonality.

KuierKos
KuierKos brings a warm and welcoming experience that allows South African expats and locals to enjoy original, good quality South African food. We have everything, ranging from biltong and droëwors to koeksisters and melktert, and we even cater for special events. In this case, the proof is in the tasting, so go right ahead and contact us.

Amanzi Restauran

Weekend reflection: What you focus on gets bigger and bigger

We arrived in South Africa just more than a week ago and we still enjoy every moment!
At the moment Krugersdorp is our base, but we have already been to Pretoria, Harties, Bloemfontein, Wesselsbron and Parys.

Especially Bloemfontein was special to me (it helped that the Boks drew!). My godparents have lived in Bloemfontein all these years and so we visited there regularly. Also, I have been at the Kovsie Campus for six years and often had fun shifting pot plants permanently… (some people would call it stealing) or raiding and “singing about” women’s’ residences.

And oh, another thing… I can’t think of campus security (Parkers) without smiling. Have you ever wondered where I first heard “laat die wiele rol”?!!

It was very special for the children to see the Women’s Monument – certainly one of the darkest episodes in the Afrikaner saga. Especially my son’s remark afterwards spoke volumes: “It was nice but sad”.

I was reminded once

Fact flash: the Voortrekker Monument

This 43-meter high granite monument was inaugurated in 1949. It commemorates the pioneers, called the Voortrekkers, who moved into the interior of South Africa between 1834 and 1854 in search of freedom and self-government. It is the only Afrikaner monument declared to be a Grade 1 National Heritage Site after 1994.

The site combines elements of security, hospitality and exceptional views with unique architecture. The Monument was designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk. The Hall of Heroes contains 27 breathtaking marble frieze panels depicting the story of the Great Trek.

It is carved from Italian marble and is probably the world’s longest continuous marble frieze. The panels were made by four South African sculptors: Laurika Postma, Hennie Potgieter, Frikkie Kruger and Werner Kirchhoff.

In the cupola there is an opening (oculus) through which the sun shines on the Cenotaph every year on 16 December exactly at 12:00 on the words ‘Ons vir jou Suid-Afrika’

WEEKEND REFLECTION: Only ten years to overnight success…

Last week we paid a visit to the Eastern Free State. Back in the 90’s, my father helped to build the Katse Dam, and we lived in Ficksburg during my university years.

It was wonderful to Airbnb on Saxon Park, the beautiful farm of Friedl and Lindie von Maltitz, after more than 13 years. Friedl told me a little more about the family history and how his grandfather started the farm.

At the turn of the century, these farms were easily obtainable pieces of land, but in return the former government expected families to fulfil the role of ‘border police and army’. This role was largely performed by women because the men were compelled to work on the trade routes (for survival). The women and children were alone on the farms for months.

In due course these farmers experimented with various types of agriculture (trial and error). Over the years, Ficksburg became known as cherry- and asparagus-farming country, but this heritage was bought with blood and sweat.

Shenzhen 2nd Social Event October 2017

Starts in 6 days
Fri 27 Oct 19:30 – 23:00

Address:-
Little Papa
No.116, 6th Building. NH Ecool Taizi Road, Nanshan | 深圳蛇口太子路南海意库6栋116号
Shenzhen

By popular Demand from Our Internations Family and also the Indian New Year was in Mid October, I would like to introduce a New Indian Restaurant to the Internations Family.

It is a highly popular restaurant among the Shenzhen Community of all ages and nationalities as it serves good quality Indian and Nepalese Food at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly as well.

The address is below:
No.116, 6th Building. NH Ecool Taizi Road, Nanshan
Tel Number (+86) 755-26860020

Please take Line 2 to Shuiwan Station. Please exit from Exit D and cross over. Please walk down the first lane on the left side for about 5 to 7 minutes till you come to Fuzou Hotel. Then, please walk down the lane till the end which is behind the Fuzou Hotel.

Toronto Official Newcomers’ Event

Starts in 3 days
Tue 24 Oct 18:30 – 20:30

Address:-
Plentea
1205 Queen St W
Toronto

New in Toronto? New to InterNations? Our Newcomers’ Events are smaller, lovely get-togethers, especially organized for members who are new in our community.
Finding like-minded people in a new city can be quite challenging. Therefore, this event and the many that will follow will help you to overcome the first steps of moving to a new place, starting your own network and getting to know other interesting people.

Come join us to mingle and meet other expat newbies, while learning about everything the InterNations Toronto Community has to offer! As InterNations Newcomer Ambassadors, we are newcomers as well and know the struggle so feel free to ask us any of your questions about Toronto and living in this beautiful city!

We’re lucky this month’s event is at Plentea, one of the best urban cafes in Toronto! The location and venue is casual, arrival by pub