Expat Connectivity

When I lived in Shanghai I was happy to keep in touch with family and friends via

emails and my Facebook page, adding photos and anecdotes of our daily life. 

It was often suggested that I start a blog but I didn't, due to slow internet and the

blocking of many sites, it was hard enough keeping my Facebook page up and running.

We moved to England and finally enjoyed a fast, reliable internet connection.  Oolong to Earl Grey was created and I started journalling the adventures my little family enjoyed. Who would have thought that a our new home in Germany would have us longing for internet access as 'fast' as we had in China.

Seems our nice house by the forest is in the "Internet Death Valley" of Germany,

despite being only thirty minutes from down town Frankfurt.

Lesson learned, before you buy or rent a house anywhere in the world, a little research 

on connectivity in the area is something to add to the list of 'things to do' before you move list!

As we deal with the on again, off again, off still, nature of our internet access,

here are some of the things we have been up to over the last few weeks.

Connecting with friends from over the globe, all organised with the help of the

World Wide Web...when available!

My youngest daughter and I spent a marvellous weekend in Paris catching up with 

wonderful Australian friends we first met in Shanghai.

After a delicious French dinner we relaxed on the grass of the 

Champ de Mars park and gazed up at the magical Eiffel Tower.

We wandered the streets of Paris on a glorious, bright day. 

Visited the Sacre Coeur. Stopped for delicious crepes and

a glass of wine or two. Spending a few days with

wonderful friends in the city of Paris 

was medicine for the soul.

We all tagged along on a two week work trip back to the UK with my husband.

We walked the tow paths, ate at old English Pubs, had an English ale or two. 

Caught up with friends and neighbours from our lives in England. 

Cheddar Gorge in Somerset had been on our never ending list of places to go 

when we lived in England, we finally made it there and crossed it off.

We had a lovely long walk and finished off with lunch in Cheddar,

of course we had Cheddar Cheese with our lunch!

My little family spent a few days with our fabulous friends from New Zealand and Ireland,

we all explored The Eden Project in Cornwall together.

The Biomes were incredible, a great day was had by all.

Educational and fun!

I spent a day in London with my lovely Irish friend. I last saw her when we were living in Shanghai. 

We joined my old English badminton ladies group for a tour of the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Was nice to connect friends from my life in China to friends from my life in England.

I love walking the streets of London, or any city for that matter.

My Irish friend and I met up with my cousin and walked,

soaking up the atmosphere and working up an appetite

for an amazing dinner at a marvellous French restaurant!

Adventures and face to face connections all organised on line.

An email here, Google map there, Facebook messages and Skype calls.

Love it or hate it, as expats, we need the internet to stay connected

with friends and family spread from Australia to China,

Canada to Ireland and beyond. Different time zones and schedules.

To meet up in person or to communicate and share ones lives from afar.

Lets hope we can sort out our internet woes and you will see more of

Oolong to Earl Grey.....to Riesling!