Sunday, 21 August 2016

The expat holiday: Expectations vs. Reality

Posted by Anne Canaveera on Sunday, August 21, 2016 in expat life

We are back from a two weeks holiday in France where we had a great time. Like every time we go home, we want to make the most of it and this time was no different. The thing is, even though we had the perfect trip in mind (cultural visits for the kids, aperitifs, meals with friends and nights out for us), things didn't go according to plan... I have put on 3 kilos, my liver is need of serious care and we're broke. On the plus side, we enjoyed the company of our friends and family and we loaded the car with an insane amount of wine and food. We might not have any money left until our next pay day, but we won't die of hunger or thirst!

To sum up our holidays, I created an infographic that I'm sure a lot of expats will be able to relate to. Please be indulgent, it's the first time I make something like that and I'm far from being a designer, but I thought it would be easier to show what an expat holiday is really like, rather than write a whole post about it. Let me know what you think!

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afrogatlarge 90p · 464 weeks ago

Amazing, I love your infographic!

The conversation topics made me laugh big time but I really can't believe that you are still having guilt-trip sessions and that the onus is entirely on you to come back, as if you were made of money and could just fly over whenever you wanted.

I know your pain about being broke after this holiday. We came back two days ago to £0.99 to every euro, which has to be a first!

1 reply · active 464 weeks ago

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nearlyirish 64p · 464 weeks ago

Thanks, it took me longer to make the infographic than any post I've ever written! The guilt trip sessions are recurrent... every time I go home it happens. I don't really mind anymore, but it's like people haven't understood I'm in Ireland for the foreseeable future! I hope you enjoyed your holidays :-)

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JL Gouriou · 464 weeks ago

Anne , Le Selfie avec F Hollande , j ' avais informé Maman avant que ta Maman ne lui en parle !!!
J ' étais si fier de lui apporter un " scoop " sur un plateau... JL

1 reply · active 464 weeks ago

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nearlyirish 64p · 464 weeks ago

Ah ah, le pouvoir d'internet est parfois plus grand que les conchennou bigoudens ;-)

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Farrah · 449 weeks ago

Oh that guilt section on the info graphic!

Well, I've become somewhat hardened to any actual guilt- (clearly the US is falling apart and who in their right mind would think we'd willingly leave the NL to go back) I get the questions.

I deflect with my boys- they're 6, 6 & 7 so trouble is imminent.
My recent post What We’re Left With

1 reply · active 449 weeks ago

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nearlyirish 64p · 449 weeks ago

Yeah I guess your friends and family know you won't be coming back for the next 4 years at least!!