The World Through Expat Eyes

Once you leave your home country, you become a foreigner. Did you ever think about it that way? No matter where you go, are you a visitor, an explorer, a tourist, a traveler, an expat or a foreigner? Not a native anymore? Maybe you have more than one home country? Perhaps you are a global soul, feeling at home anywhere, because home is where the hearth is? After many years abroad, maybe you have that sense of belonging to more than one country? Is your home country your native country, the place where your roots are?

For an expat, all this can be confusing, whether we are talking about a serial-expat, an expat who only feels at home in one country or one who belong in several.

I think I have always enjoyed seeing places through different perspectives, and through eyes other than my own. I love finding out What does an Indian think about France? What does a Chinese think of India? How do you find the food, culture, festivals, literature, art, sports, nature and the people? And when the answers come, I can say to myself: Hm, I never thought about it that way....

New perspective, dear reader, new perspective.. to open your eyes and broaden your mind.

So, I was curious when I saw that Internations just published a new report called The world through expat eyes. They have asked 14000 expatriates from over 160 countries questions about their life living abroad. They have been asked to rank different aspects of their expat life, such as: general quality of life, working abroad, family life, settling in, leisure and making friends, international romance and relationships and personal finances.

The Top destinations (based on the indexes: general quality of life, ease of settling it, working abroad, family life and personal finances) are Equador, Luxembourgh and Mexico, meaning that those countries have a overall high score in many of the indexes. My countries ended up as no 18 (Norway), 55 (India) and 59 (Greece).

Because the indexes vary a lot, it is interesting to dig a bit deeper. For example: some countries score really high on personal finances but soooo low on making friends with locals. And vice versa.

India score high on financial situation for expats, while Norway score high on balance work life - life (expats in Norway work less hours than in most country and enjoy life outside work). Greece score high on making local friends. The Scandinavian countries score high on family life.

I especially enjoyed the country reports where you can read more detailed info about expat life in some particular countries. Here are the headlines for presenting some of them:

Can you guess which country they are talking about here?:
 
1. "Cold Weather- Warm people"
2. "Work, rather than pleasure"
3. "Warm climate, empty accounts"
4. "Hit the ground running"
5. "Big hearths and instability"
6. "Opportunities and cloudy skies"
7. "Leisure lovers at home down under"

So, which one seems most appealing to you?

To me, that was the funny thing about this report. It made me wonder: If I could choose freely, what factors would be the most important and how would I range them? For example would an easy settling - in be more important than good money (and living in an expat bubble)? And what about the weather? Family life? Friendly and welcoming locals? Education? Work hours? What would be most important to you?

Do you want to read more? You can find the report on: InternationsExpat Insider

As you may have seen, I have been looow on the blogging lately, and the inspiration has been rather non-existing. But I am planning some changes on the blog, so stay tuned dear reader. I will be back:-)

What? You want the answers to the headline - questions above? Ok. Ok. Here we go: 1.Canada. 2.China. 3.Italy. 4.USA. 5.Turkey. 6.UK. 7.Australia (where else?) But still - check out the reports, interesting read.

Enjoy your weekend. Take care.

F for Faroe Islands

We have left the pharaohs behind, and I am just as exited as you for today's destination. My friend Leila Lofti has kindly said yes ( Thank you dear Leila! ) to take us with her to her home country: The Faroe Islands. A guest post today in other words. Leila has been living in Mumbai for the past 6 years with her Swedish husband Mikael and 3 children, all of them adopted from the same orphanage in Malad, Mumbai. They will leave India in June, which will be a sad moment because after so many years here, the love for India has grown solid and strong. When leaving the Faroe Islands, Leila also left behind her clinic for physiotherapy, but she has practiced her skills as a volunteer at orphanages here in India ever since they arrived, and has made a huge difference to so many children. Please welcome Leila, dear reader, and Faroe Islands: Here we come: 

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I am going to share with you some delights from my country the Faroe Islands. In 2008 we moved from a city there with 20.000 inhabitants to Mumbai with over 20 millions. Imagine the contrasts?!

Faroe Islands is located 600 km from Norway, 300 km from Scotland and 430 km from Iceland in the middle of the warm Golf Stream. It consists of 18 Islands, with a population of 49.000, living in a climate so unpredictable, that you get the feeling Vivaldi composed “the four seasons “ in the Faroe Islands. You can experience frost in the morning, sun at lunch break and be blown away in the afternoon by gusts of autumn wind. 

Today The Faroe Islands are self-governed within the Kingdom of Denmark, but not members of EU. We have our own flag, Merkið, and our own parliament, Løgting, name derives from the ancient Viking word, Althing, the national parliament. The official language is Faroese, derives from Old Norse. Most Faroese people speak Danish, as well as most of  the other Nordic languages.

We belong to the northern part of the hemisphere, where you can hear children´s play outside at 11 pm summertime because the sun sets so late and where you in the late winter months in the dark nights are entertained by Aurora Borealis, the northern lights. 

A July morning view from our kitchen window

The capital is Tórshavn, with its 20.000 inhabitants. The main industry is fishing which includes farmed salmon recommended by many food experts as the world’s best salmon because of the Golf streams beneficial effect in the sea. In many of the best restaurants in the world, you will be served sushi with Salmon from the Faroe Islands. 

Natasha, our oldest daughter, making sushi with Faroese salmon

You will find about 70.000 sheep grazing in the Faroese mountainsides, eating the fresh Faroese grass, so far not polluted. It is tradition to wind-cure the food that gives it the special Faroe Islands aroma.

Outside our kitchen window

Faroe Islands, where it´s people have learned to live by the slogan given by the British who occupied the islands during World War 2, The Land of Maybe, because it is the land where you definitely will feel alive, where you surrender and discover what it means when Nature Rules............

Finally I will share with you a favorite song of mine. Enjoy listening to this video by Elin Heinesen who is also singing her late father’s Jens Pauli Heinesen´s song with Prague Philharmonics. Jens Pauli Heinesen is a writer from the Faroe Islands, and by the way, also my father’s double cousin:-)

Bye from Faroe Islands! Leila with her two daughters:-) 

You can get more information about the Faroe Islands here: Visit Faroe Islands

And as for hitting the world news in 2015... Oh yes. Do not miss the Total Solar Eclipse in the Faroe Islands in March! The Faroe Islands and Svalbard (in Norway) are the only two places in the world where you can experience the total solar eclipse. The Faroe Islands are preparing for some major celebration following the eclipse. But hurry if u plan to go - the hotels are filling up...

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I hope you enjoyed Leila's Faroe Islands, dear reader? I so did, and would like to thank you again, Leila for sharing your dream destination here.

Tomorrow we are leaving the peaceful nature of the Faroe Islands behind, and setting out for new shores. I can sure promise you a spectacular and kind of glittery scenery when we travel off to G...

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1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

One stubborn lady chasing her dream

On 7 Mars 1858, a little girl was born in the village of Eidsvoll in Norway. She grew up with 3 brothers and a sister, and she was often spotted skiing and even ski jumping, which was outrageous, because that was a boy's thing to do (like so many things in the society back then). She must have loved it though, and didn't park her skis'. In stead she created a big commotion turning up at a ski-race with a friend - them being the only two girls there. Scandalous! 

The girl was Cecilie Thoresen and she was to become the first Norwegian female university student. In 1879 she graduated from a girl's school, and wanted to take an exam which would grant her access to university. But at that time, only boys were allowed.. Her father then sent a letter to the Ministry asking that she'd be permitted to take the exam. It was met with a prompt refusal.

Many people would have given up by then, but Cecilie appealed to the Ministry and University. Her requests were turned down. Again. And again. Finally she found an ally in a member of the Parliament, Hagbard Berner. He supported her cause and proposed a private Act of amendment, which passed in 1882, and Cecilie was allowed to study. She passed the exam in 1882 with excellent results, and enrolled at the University as the first woman ever. And in 1884 a law was issued that gave women in general access to university studies.

As for me, I get inspired by people like Cecilie who dares to challenge the "normal". People who fight for what they believe in, because they trust it to lead to something better, for themselves and others. People who choose the narrow path of life, even though they meet obstacles and are being fought every step of the way. People who have the courage to knock on some closed doors and open them for others (and if they will not open, they will kick them in). People who do not take no for an answer.

And I think that if it hadn't been for women like her, I might not have been able to do what I wanted with my life. Too often we take things for granted, but we forget that someone else may have fought for those things - on our behalf. So, I get inspired by her "do not take no for an answer" story, and also because I share her cause: education. I do wish for every child to be able to make their path in life, regardless of their gender and status, to go to school and to freely choose their study. And If I have a bad day, and think that it is hopeless, I can just close my eyes, and picture Cecilie ski-jumping with the boys, or writing letters to the parliament. That is inspiring to me.

So: make your choices, chase your dream and live your life - as you want it to be. Nothing is impossible.

Cecilie Thoresen (Pic from wikipedia)

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I am participating in a fun festival of words this week:-) This post is written for The Write Tribe Festival Of Words, which goes on from 2-8.March 

Today, Day 5, we were asked to write an inspiring story: You can read more about the festival, and enjoy some of the other entries on the website. I am sure there will be a lot of inspirational good-reads today: Day 5, 6. March: An Inspiring Story. 

The smiles of Mumbai

A wonderful week is coming to an end. Our visitors are leaving, and we will miss them deeply. And what can be better than letting them tell you themselves how their first visit to India and Mumbai has been? Today's post is therefore a guest post. My fabulous sister: the floor is yours: 

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We`re driving through the streets of Mumbai. Houses that look more like huts or not even that, maybe only some sheds. People live there, I think to myself. Small kids without shoes, close to the gutter. Lives lived on the pavement. So many harsh impressions, visions that will stay on my mind forever.

Suddenly I hear my son saying, pointing out the window; Look mum, that`s terrible!
I am convinced he`s thinking the same as me. About the unfair world we live in.When I put on my most serious "comforting face" to talk to him, he responds with the special look he get`s when there`s something mum "clearly" doesn`t understand.
"No mum, not that. But look, that boy is wearing a Manchester United shirt!"

I just have to smile. My son is what you would describe as a serious soccerfan. He`s probably quite an average 7-year old Norwegian boy. Loves to play soccer and watch soccer (favourite team being Liverpool), loves everything about the game.

As many norwegians do, he has also travelled a lot, but mostly on typically child-friendly charter tours. Before we left Norway for India I therefore got the advice to try to prepare him for the poverty we would see. I tried to have a serious "preparation-chat", but he started being scared of what poor people look like, behave and what they will do to him, so I ended up dropping the subject.

Our little drive this particular day ended at the school where my sister is a volunteer for Children's Future India, and it turned out to be the best experience on the whole trip. It was joy, it was singing "head, shoulder, knees and toes" and reading a story about David (7) together with some children of Mumbai. It was a meeting filled with learning for all of us, and memories for ever.
"This was the best day, Mom", my son told me later that evening. Although he still cant get over that none of them had ever heard about Liverpool or soccer. Only cricket.

Normally in the winter holiday would go skiing. This year, we went to India.

Now, over a week has passed and we have had days filled with the most extreme impressions - all at the same time. The streets are full of contrasts. It`s fantastic, I`ve loved being here. My son has loved being here. Seeing my sister's life, being around to the places she has been talking about, meeting lots of wonderful people. Taking it all in.

But what really took with me by surprise is all the happiness. The friendly curiosity towards us visitors.
"Why are they looking at me, mom?"
"They`re probably curious. Maybe they haven`t seen people like us before?"
"But mom, aunt Eli has lived here for over a year!"
And we can`t really grasp how many people actually lives here - there are people everywhere!

We`re getting used to it. Today my son smiled back to the guys in the rickshaw that stared and waved to him. An attitude to take back to Norway. Along with heaps of memories..and some tailor-made clothes..:)

Yes, we`re in the picture, along with some enthusiastic kids we met during our visit to Mumbai.

Speed - sightseeing in South Mumbai

Ok. So sightseeing in Mumbai with a 7 year old is not the same as sightseeing in Mumbai with parents-in-laws-cousins-friends... well in short: with adults! I knew that. But still fascinating to experience in real life. And I'll tell you one thing. I have never seen so many sights in Mumbai in such a short amount of time. Here we are talking speed-sightseeing BIG time!

Our day started at the Gateway of India, where the boats and ships of course was much more interesting to watch than admiring that huge stone building. And what a lovely morning it was.

Then it was tea/refreshments-time. You know, that time that with adults tends to stretch on to a looong coffee-break filled with chat and countless re-fills. Well, not with a seven year old. Sip sip. - Done. What are we going to do next? Aren't you done yeeet? 

The road then took us to every single party stuff shop and toy stall in Crawford market. And I mean every single one. Big success. But a noisy place, so after bargaining hard and long for 12 fake mustaches and a set of bunny ears (for little sister back home) - we were out of there.

Lunchtime, and time to taste local food! Of the thali, the rice and bread was definitely the most tasty..

... and in between hasty stops to buy small elephants and some more gifts, our little visitor - like all our other visitors - was a bit worn out by all the weird things to see outside the car window. And like all of us... he enjoyed the sea side in south Mumbai. - This was a really beautiful place!

But isn't it funny - after a long day of speed-sightseeing in this strange city of ours - one of the favorite moments appeared (totally unplanned) in the evening. Because what greater happiness for a 7 year old than to hang out with his older cousin: - some bowling, some football and a real game of FIFA x-box! His bubbling laughter is filling the whole house! Oh, the joy of these lovely visitors!

I hope you have had a great week so far, dear reader:-) All the best from Mumbai!
   

A little boy in the big city

Imagine you are seven years old. You come home from school on a normal Wednesday afternoon, and the weather is perfect. Perfect ... for skiing with your family! It is cold, and the air is crisp and clear. As you put on your skis, it starts snowing again. Just a light sprinkle, not too much. You ski towards the forest. No cars or other people are in sight. You hear no traffic and no loud noises. You can only hear the sound of your skis on the snow, of your own breath, and maybe of your mother promising you a cup of hot chocolate when you get back home inside?

And then the next day you find yourself on an airplane. You travel for many hours and even some more, and finally you arrive somewhere where the air is hot and the smells are just so different than back home. And there is no snow, even though it is February. How strange. People are wearing t-shirts and summer clothes. You hear lots of noises, and there are cars and people all over the place. Yes. You have for the first time arrived in India, and one very happy aunt is waiting for you!

Because, yes, dear reader, we have visitors. And it has been a while.. , but if you have followed my blog for a bit, you might remember that last Spring broke every possible-visitor-amount-record. Ever. First my Greek in-laws came and stayed for a month, and the same night they left, two of our best friends from Noway came and stayed for two weeks.Then, my parents came for two weeks and we had a wonderful trip to Goa, and a few days later my cousin and her hubby came.

So, I am right here with you. Still in Mumbai, but these days, a bit occupied re-discovering the city in company with our visitors  - who are in India for the first time! So, stay tuned to follow the tales of One Excited Aunt:-) Yey! Ta ta! And all the best to you dear reader:-)

Some Mumbai moments: 

A Perfect Day

A day stretched out on a sunny beach or a day hiking in crisp mountain air? A day at work, doing what you love the most, or maybe a day of doing absolutely nothing? A day which includes traveling, dancing, reading, helping someone out or playing with your kids? Or all of that? What would be a perfect day for you? And is there really such a thing as A Perfect Day?

All I know, is that I woke up this morning with a smile on my face thinking: Wow, that was a perfect day yesterday! And unbelievably enough, our day started with a visit to the FRRO office, an adventure I have described before. With two reluctant teenagers in the backseat ("do we really have to use (read: waste) a school-holiday on this?") we set out on The Mission to renew our visas.

Every time we have been to FRRO, there are some new rules. This time we were told by a brisk guard that we were not allowed to enter the building until 9.30. Oh well, I spent the time taking some pictures from the area, and at 9.20 we stormed the stairs armed with visitor badges (also a new rule), for the first line to get a number. Another new thing: in the waiting room we were welcomed by a smiling male employee: " Good morning and welcome!" What?! A pleasant contrast to the screaming No-person at the main gate. And we were in for another surprise. Learning from experience: we had prepared for the worse and brought with us supplies. Well, didn't need any! After only 2 hours we found ourselves at the main gate, all 4 of us with our bright and shiny renewed visas - so: one more year in India! Yey! PS: My theory is that The Greek's very insisting and helpful hand to our officer when he ran into some PC- trouble speed-ed up the process!

The FFRO office building...

...and a neighboring house.. (waiting for the FRRO gate to open:-)) 

By then, everyone's mood had improved considerably, including the teens', and encouraged by our success we decided to celebrate with a better lunch. We ended up at Britannia, an institution in Mumbai, known for delicious Parsi food, but one we had still yet to visit. We quickly overlooked the paint coming off the walls, when we were so warmly welcomed by the owner, the 92 year old Boman (only 1 of his 9 names though, one of the others being Batman:-) What a character! Almost worth the visit alone! He was patting my kid on the head instructing him: -  I am planning to be 114 years old, so you have to be at least 120, ok?! Well, the 14 year old didn't have much choice but to nod obediently - 120 years old huh? Ok, ok, no problem:-) 

So with the stories of Mr Boman, we sipped our Fresh lime soda and enjoyed their famous dish Chicken Berry Pulav - rice, chicken in sauce and topped of with barberries. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

My favorite drink: fresh lime soda: and here with sweet on the side served in a water bottle:-) 

William and Kate overlooking us and waiters waiting to serve:-)
Note the sign " Please do not argue with management!" 

92 year old owner Boman - a well of interesting stories:-)  

Yummy Chicken Berry Pulav :-) Huge portions! 

What a fun day it turned out to be! We had planned for something else and there we were: talking, laughing, spending time together, then going for coffee, meeting interesting people and sharing good moments. And then in the evening, a bit spontaneously, we decided to head up to Breeze - for what became a wonderful evening - catching up with old friends and getting to know some new ones. 

You know, it was just one of those days, when life plays you a small trick! When the day turns out so different than what you had anticipated. Good talks with family and friends, lots of good-laughs and some moments that makes you smile when you think about them. And you just feel so well and so grateful. To me that is a good day, maybe even a perfect one? 

So, what would be a perfect day for you? And is there really such a thing as A Perfect Day?

Well, I hope you will have a perfect weekend dear reader! Enjoy the moments and take care:-)

    

4 fabulous Feta favorites - recipe

Yup, I love my paneer, my gouda and even my brunost, but when it comes to cheese, my weakness has a name. Hello Feta! Feta, the taste of Greek summer, of fresh tiropita and of a big salad with feta on. That creamy texture and slightly salt&sour flavor. And it goes with anything. It can spice up a plain omelet, play main star in a salad or renew your pizza completely!

But be aware that only feta is feta, because since 2002, feta is a protected name. According to EU legislation, only those cheeses produced in a traditional way in some areas in Greece, are made from sheep's milk (or a mix of sheep and goat milk) may bear the name feta. To my joy I get feta here in India, too. Here are my favorite ways to use the cheese - maybe something for the upcoming weekend? I hope you like it!

1. Real Greek salad needs it's feta. Make a big bowl of salad, and top it off with big chunks. Sprinkle over some olive oil and oregano, and enjoy! Those bits of red tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onion and feta is just Greece on a plate:-)

2. Watermelon and feta is a perfect combo! In India I am so lucky to get my favorite fruit - watermelon- all year round. I put some bits of watermelon on a plate and add some crumbled feta. If you want to fancy it up, sprinkle over some balsamic vinegar, and pines or nuts.

3. Tirokafteri/tirosalata This is a dip often used, like the tzatziki, as a side-dish, with salad and bread. But where the tzatziki will cool you down, the tirokafteri will heat you up! We make it like this: 
You need: 
200 gr feta
1 dl yogurt
1 finely chopped red chili
2 tsp olive oil, a sprinkle of pepper

You do: 
Mash the feta. I like it to be a bit crumbly, so I do it with a fork, but you can also put it all in a food-processor, and get a more smooth dip. Stir in the other ingredients.    

4. Bread with feta and tomatoes Now, this is a perfect dish, if you have some old, dry bread lying around! You can by this recipe transform it into an impressive starter, a side dish or just a snack. Tempting? This is how we do it:
You need: 
4 slices of bread
2 dl chopped tomatoes
2 dl crumbled feta
olive oil, oregano, black pepper

You do:
Place the bread slices on a baking tray. Add the chopped tomatoes, and put the feta on top of that. Pour over olive oil and sprinkle over some oregano and some pepper. Bake in the oven until the bread is light brown. About 180'C for 10 minutes should be ok, but keep an eye on them!

Bread with tomatoes and feta, a dash of tirokafteri, and some green salad with olives. Yum! 

PS! Did you know there is a special song about feta? Oh, yeah! Kind of a parody where they are singing about all the delicious dishes they can make with feta. Have a look at the feta-hymn here:  

So, hope you got inspired, dear reader? Whether you will make a feta favorite or not, I hope you will have a smashing weekend! Have a great one, and take care! All the best from Mumbai! 

Shopping for Christmas - Mumbai style

I think I might have a love-hate relationship with shopping in India. Either I am in and out so fast that the trailing staff only gets a quick glimpse of my fluttering dupatta as I head for the exit OR I start to chat with the staff and I kind of just stay on, at least until I have had a chai, heard their life story, and I can wander happily off knowing that I am now part of their extended family:-)

Yes, December is here and some Christmas shopping is inevitable. I have decorations, remember?- now we are talking purely presents! I find it a bit tricky to recommend the best places for Christmas gift shopping in Mumbai- because we all have our taste, right - and I humbly admit that my knowledge of shopping here will always be limited, as I discover new places all the time! I think you can live here a life time - and still be exploring new shopping options! But, let me share some of my favorite spots and tips for good buys - as they are right now! And remember- it is personal, and my view may have been influenced by a good chat over a spicy chai:-)

Where to shop? 

You may probably either love or hate shopping at the open door markets in Mumbai. Perfect - if you love hoards of people, lots of noise and endless rounds of bargaining (look here for some basic tips)  - and an opportunity to get unique presents and get a feeling of the bustling crazy Mumbai life. Here are markets I like, and also some gift-tips:

• Bhuleswhar market - for clothes and fabrics, garlands, decorations and last but not least: my favorite spice shop: Motilal Masalawala. (Turmeric (haldi), Garam masala and chicken masala are my favorites, and I got some for presents too.)  
• Crawford market - for lamps, ornaments, decor and trees head to Lohar Chawl. Really cheap (also brand) all kinds of beauty stuff at Beauty Centre. Delicious sweets, dried fruits and nuts at Ramanlal's. Something special for the passionate baker - at Arife's.   
• Chor's bazaar - for old Bollywood posters (I love those), artifacts, coins, souvenirs and antiques
• Gol Deval markets - My favorite! bangles, copper cups & mugs (to keep the cold drinks cold, and the warm warm:-), - just a that-something-special-place! Lots of handicraft-items. 
• In other parts of the city you will also find some good markets, like the IIT market in Powai and the Santacruz market. In Bandra, I always end up at the bazaar-like ELCO market as my most beloved tailor is there - and I found some amazing embroidered kids' blouses in one of the shops:-)  

If you start to sweat just by the idea of open markets, there are lots of other options. Of course: the Holiday melas- often where the NGO's sell their products, and this year I was lucky enough to find a lot of presents there (and to chat - great combo:-) 

You can check out the Oberoi arcade at Nariman point - chatting with Kavita at Le Printemps (a pure paradise for leather-lovers:  you can get or have made just about anything there) or with Navin at Rishi Gems (artifacts, small statues, boxes etc) is always fun. 

Many Mumbai expats know Harry at Bhaghem Bombay, Fort (souvenirs, art craft, and last but not least: jewelry). Now, that is a shop where you can easily spend some hours. I did quite good, until I discovered that Harry spoke Greek and he started to tell about back then when he helped Greek seamen in Mumbai to phone home. I was lost, and so was my time schedule. I could just picture the mustached Kostas (in tears of homesickness) talking to his mama in Athens on the phone from India - with a compassionate Harry next to him, patting his shoulder, handing him napkins..

Oh, well. If you are down at Fort, you may as well also drop by Chimanlals - remember? The place for gift-wrapping stuff. My tip is that you will easily spend quite some time in that paper-heaven. At least I did.

For a not-so-personalized-but-more-efficient-shopping round, you may want to hit one of the many huge Mumbai malls - Phoenix High Street in Parel, Phoenix Market Centre in Kurla, R-city in Ghatkopar or Infiniti or Inorbit in Malad, which are the ones I know the best.

What to shop? 

1. Books. Since I love receiving books, I also believe it is a perfect present:-) If you are an expat, make your folks a favor and introduce them to some of the many excellent Indian authors - whether it is fiction, non-fiction, novella, poetry, travel-books or cooking books! Or a 2014 calender- with decor and quotes and an overview of all the Indian festivals (so they can plan when to visit you next year!). You find bookstores like Crossroads and Oxfords in most malls.  
2. DVD / CD. Why not spread some exotic feel-good Bollywood stories and music? Most films come with English subtitles. I like English Vinglish and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Dvd's and Cd's are also sold in most bookstores. 
3. Clothes. You can bling someone up with new Indian outfits. But don't go completely crazy - a silver glitter sari is maybe not what your aunt in a snowy village in the Alps has on top of her list. Or who knows? Maybe it is! Anyway- lots of choices, or you can settle for some shawls or dupattas - thin or thick - they are usually a hit:-) 
4. Jewelry. Good expat gifts (take up no space in the suitcase, right?). I like the colored stones, and the watches are beautiful. And if you can not find anything, you can have jewelry made for you (read: for your gift-receivers) - just as you want them. One piece only, how about that? 
5. For kids. From my own experience these items has caused standing ovations among the recipients: A) Indian Barbie dressed in sari, preferable wedding sari. B) Plastic rickshaws. C) Art craft sets to make bangles, magnets, cards etc. All with fantastic Indian colors and motives. D) Soft toys- elephants and camels:-) I like the toy shop at the Infiniti mall.   
6. For teenagers. Phone and PC covers and bags are popular gifts. You can find them ready made or have one made in the pattern and color you like. Also bags, jewelry and sports stuff may be a hit, but again: know your recipient - teenagers are... well teenagers:-)      
7. General gifts. At Good Earth, Bombay Store and FabIndia you can find souvenirs, gifts, tablecloths, clothes etc. Also knock yourself out in the malls. No lack of shopping opportunities!
   
   My hottest tip (!): get a gorgeous gift bag or box, and fill it up with Indian tea, Indian spices, some sweets, nuts or dried fruit and maybe a product or 2 from the Biotique Botanicals Ayurvedic series- facial cream or bodylotion - or a Jasmine perfume. The magic scent of India - perfect for Christmas:-) 

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little tour-the-shops-of-Mumbai-tale? As you see, the greatest shopping experience for me is the one which comes with a friendly smile and a really good story! The best presents can be just that, remember? A smile, a chat, a tea or a meal shared with friends...

So, the shopping is done! Yey! Now, I sit at my balcony - in 30' degrees and sunshine, with my cup of tea and Driving home for Christmas. I light a candle (!), send some warm thoughts to people I love, sharpen my pen, and I start to write my Christmas greetings.

Warm thoughts to you, dear reader!  Have a wonderful week!

Expat epidorpio - recipe

Recipe of expat epid....what? Oh, well - just needed a fancy word starting with an e- there... Partly true. But only partly. Epidorpio means dessert in Greek. Yep, simple as that. Almost. It comes from 3 words: epi ton dorpion = "on top of the meal" / "after the meal". Easy as that. Almost. The word dorpion comes from the Greek words drepo and draks = "cutting and gathering (grass and hay)" - and "hand-full" - so: a little something they ate in the evenings - after all the main meals of the day and after having finished the work. So, if you didn't know any Greek words, dear reader, you do now! The essential word of epidorpio. 

Where am I going with this expat dessert tale? (- expat epidorpio sounds much more exiting, eh?) Well, living in different countries has taught me that sometimes I need to improvise in the kitchen. At least that is what I prefer to do. Meaning: if I can not find an ingredient or 2 - then I try to adjust the recipe - make it in a different way. To be honest with you: some times it works very well, and sometimes it simply .. does not. But hey, life is too short not to count our victories, right?!

I think this is a perfect (expat) dessert, because you can vary it in many ways! I have made it as a cheese cake in Norway: with cream cheese and sour cream; comforting in cold winter evenings. In Greece, I have made it as a lemon mousse; dropping the biscuit base, and adding lots of shredded lemon and bits of fruit: refreshing in warm summer nights!

Here in India, I have also made it - varying the jello and experimenting with different flavors. The lemon one is always a hit though! Here is my easy - made expat epidorpio recipe, - go wild!

You need:

1 box lemon jello (or pineapple, strawberry, peach- or your favorite flavor)
2-3 dl yogurt
100 gr digestive biscuits
50 gr melted butter
2 tsp cinnamon powder
Berries for garnish. I love redcurrants, raspberries or strawberries.
PS 1: If you are an experimental soul, you can play around - and add for example: 1. shredded lemon or lime peel. 2. Vanilla sugar or other extracts. 3. X-tra berries or bits of fruit. 
PS 2: If you are making it for vegetarians - make sure you check the jello box. Some are suitable for vegetarians, but some are not! 

All the ingredients you need for making the most flexible dessert ever, I think:-) 

A handful of redcurrants..
Remind me of childhood summers picking them from bushes in my grandparents' garden. 

You do: 

1. Make the jello according to what it says on the box, but use only 1/2 the amount of the water!
2. Pour 1/2 dl of the jello aside in a cup. Put the rest in the fridge to cool off. (once it is cold, take it out)
3. Crush the biscuits until they are like crumbs and add melted butter and cinnamon.
4. Make the vital decision on how you want to serve your dish! You can make it easy on yourself and make 1 big cake, or you can choose the hard way (which I do) and make your dessert in tiny glasses.
5. If you have chosen the hard way (of course you have!): add a layer of the base into each glass, and press it down, so it is even all the way around. Set to cool.
6. Concentrate on your jello. It shall be cold, but not set! Mix gently yogurt ( and any xtra's from point PS 1) and jello together. Pour it into the glasses on the base, and put back in the fridge.
7. Now, you have 1 big challenge left: Do not allow the rest of the jello (in the cup) to set before the rest of the dish is set. Guard it! Tips: Are you in trouble: add a little hot water - just to keep it runny!
8. Check on the dessert by pressing carefully on the top of it. Once it does not give in: decorate with berries and pour a thin layer of the jello on top.
9. Back in the fridge! Now you can relax - and prepare for the standing ovations you will receive, serving your carefully made little masterpieces!

PS. If you have teenagers- like I do- be prepared that they might not "get" the idea of tiny glasses..Defend your choice or capitulate and go for bigger glasses:-) 

Epidorpio with lemon and redcurrants:, served in tiny crystal  glasses:-)  

Enjoy! I hope you like it!

A lovely sunny Saturday morning here in Mumbai dear reader, and with this sweet culinary kick-off: I wish you a continuous wonderful weekend! All the best to you and thanks for following!    

The art of gift - wrapping

So, my friend's little son had his birthday, and he was opening gifts. He struggled a bit to get the paper off one of them. - Oooh, a car! We applauded encouragingly when a green truck revealed itself from within the shiny red gift-paper. The boy gave the car a rather uninterested glance - and turned his attention back to the paper. Red and bright, with some glittery spots. He giggled and waived it triumphantly in the air, carefully inspecting it, making a ball of it - which he lost on the floor. Crisis! His mum picked it up, and tried to sneak it out to the garbage. NOT a popular decision with Birthday Boy whose face turned completely red, and I swear that his furious screams could have waken up a sleeping giant! The mum hurried back - with The Paper! Oh joy! He laughed and hugged it dearly - like he was welcoming a long lost friend.

And I don't think he is the only one who has fallen in love with the shiny wrapping paper rather than with the gift inside? But maybe usually kids? Well not anymore! Because, my dear reader, let me say one thing: if you ever get a present wrapped up in gift paper from India, - well, then my guess is that you might act just like that little boy! Oh yes! I am not joking. You will admire it, caress it, and maybe even make it into a ball and throw it in the air while you scream with joy?! Who knows?!

And if you have one of these relatives- I think we all do - you know, the ones who walk silently around picking up the used gift wrapping paper, smoothing it out, while mumbling: it-is-a-shame-to-throw-away-something-so-beautiful. Well, I am pretty sure that they will go bananas by the sight of the gift paper from India, and don't be surprised if you yourself start to act that way too! You might feel a sudden urge not to let that paper get away..

So, envelopes, paper, small cards, big cards, gift tags, wrapping paper, small boxes, big boxes, stars, small bags, big bags, frames - all with patterns and colors and decorations which are simply amazing. Small pieces of art, really. Invaluable tools for taking the art of gift-wrapping to a new level.. Just have a look:

Frames; perfect for the annual pictures of your kids, - to their grandparents:-) Bags, paper and boxes in all sizes and colors you can imagine. Everything you need to wrap up your gifts!

Colorful envelopes with small glass pearls, and gorgeous patterns. A gift in itself:-) 

Wrapping paper, cards and bags. And my favorite: elephant envelopes:  perfect gift-bags for shawls, books and cd's!

You may find envelopes, paper and gift bags in most book stores in India. I found some beautiful gift bags and cards in a shop at Hasnabad Lane in Santacruz. I got totally lost (in a positive way) in Chimanlals at Fort. The problem there is to be able to decide what to get. When a friend and I just went there - we spent hours. Really, hours. So, know this, dear family and friends - your Christmas gifts will have a captivating look this year. Be prepared to hang on to your paper and to guard it from lurking relatives:-)

Beautifully decorated small paper stars:-) They have them in Chimanlals - in lots of different colors.
You build them (read: open them) - but very easy- peasy! ( IKEA-style) Perfect for upcoming Christmas:-)  

Have a wonderful day, dear reader, and thanks for following! Bye bye from Mumbai! 

7 signs that I am a Mumbai expat only

This post may be read as a warning to you folks back home ( for anyone else: just as a humble tribute to what India has taught me so far - *blinking the eye*)  - Because, yes, I might have changed - just a tiny little bit..So, be prepared back home! You may recognize me, by the following signs:

1. Clothes
The glitter&glam&bling element of my wardrobe has increased dramatically. You should be able to recognize me, but you just need to look beyond the golden sandals and the bright green colored kurta with glitter ornaments from the neck to my belly. Nope. Less is not more. More is more.

2. Time
This might come as a shock to you, if you knew me in my pre-India life. I might have adopted a more relaxed relationship with Time. You see, 12 o'clock Thursday does not necessarily have to be 12 o'clock Thursday. It can also be 3 o'clock Thursday, 5 o'clock Friday or next week. Go with the flow.

3. Dining
Try not to act surprised if I add some extra pepper or chili on the food. Fear not, if I rush off in a desperate search for masala, or if I suddenly start to sprinkle some fresh coriander on my dish - and probably on your dish too! My taste buds has adjusted to another palate, so the food back home might be a bit bland, now..

4. Driving
If you suddenly notice someone driving 1 cm from the back of your car, honking the horn like crazy, driving on the road-shoulder or accelerating when the signal turns yellow - in stead of reducing the speed - Well. That might be me, back home for vacation!

5. Shopping
5.1 You might see me looking Confused in the store, if there is no staff following me around, or available within 10 seconds after I need them. What kind of service is that? 
5.2 You might also find me looking Lost at the cashier. I have payed, and you see - I am waiting for someone to put my groceries into my bags for me. What? No one does that for you?! 

6. Queues
If you are standing patiently waiting for your turn in a neatly formed line (f.ex in a public washroom) - and you see a lady in kurta and golden sandals walking pass all of you and straight up to the front of the line.Yep. That might be me. Feel free to remind me of the local customs. Sorry, forgot myself there. 

7. Language
I have polished my English by adding phrases like: - I need to pre-pone that meeting ( opposite of postpone), - Please, do the needful! (do what you have to do) and adding "only" to the end of every second sentence I utter. It is just a habit I like.  - What can I do? I am on holiday only! 

Yes, 7 points- we are in India after all. But I have to add that I will not look away if we meet: I will look you in the eyes, and start to talk to you immediately whether it is on the street, in an elevator or on a bus. Life is too short not to catch up:-) I will bring color, spices, some Bollywood-moves and music! I will carry with me stories from India and show you pictures from amazing places and tell you about some wonderful people I have met. I might also a bit aggressively try to recruit you as a sponsor to support a child's education in Mumbai, because I have seen with my own eyes how just a little support can mean the world for some of these kids and their chances of making a better life for themselves.

So, you see where this is going right? To end this post in a more serious way, living in Mumbai has reminded me: to not take things for granted, to be appreciative of what we have, to be open and humble to life and to be happy here and now. To enjoy the present. And I have been reminded that things do not make you happy. But people and moments do! Ok, then - and maybe just a tiny bit of bling-bling on your blouse:-)

Hope you enjoyed my *blinking the eye* post today.

Good evening from Mumbai, dear reader!

The road to Agra

As a 10 year old girl (in the city of Bergen on Norway's west coast), I read a book which made an impression on me. I re-read it, and I tasted the name: - Agra - Agra - Agra - all the way on the other side of the world somewhere.... Where was that? Could I go there sometime? Would that be possible? I kept the book, and when I had kids, I read the book to them too.

And there I was. Some decades later. In the car - on the road to Agra! From Jaipur to Agra to be specific. Oh, dear reader, I could not help myself : every time I saw the sign "Agra", my mind went to my childhood book, and I had that silly little smile on my face: I was going to Agra! Pinch my arm!

In the book The road to Agra* we follow Lalu (13) and his sister Maya (7) on their journey from Allahabad to Agra to seek help for Mayas eye disease (which may cause blindness). It is a dramatic story: the kids meet both bad and good people and they are threatened by snakes and jackals. They get an elephant ride, and see camels. ( Utterly exotic for a 10- year- old in Norway, I tell you!) The journey is hot, dusty and exhausting, but Lalu and Maya never loose spirit - please let the hospital in Agra help Maya! Need I say there is a happy ending??

So, except for the signs saying Agra - we had also had some interesting sights along the way, still exotic for an expat in India. Slowing down in front of a toll booth, this one came up right next to us :

- not sure what he payed :-) - but he got through the toll both a lot faster than we did:-)

Leaving Jaipur, we talked about how we saw most motor-bikers wearing helmets there (in Mumbai, we often see only the driver wearing one). Ladies in sarees with helmets, kids, the whole family - all with helmets - and then this family of 5 on a motorbike appeared:

Of course the cows were in the middle of the road on the road to Agra too! Ok, ok- I was a bit carried away by the touristic atmosphere: Cows on the road everyone! Cows on the road!:-)

So, elephants, snakes and camels: - we saw you too! On the way to Agra---

And yes, dear reader, the road finally took us to Agra. What we found there - might not come as a shocking revelation to you..? Stay tuned, if you want to know....-) Thanks for reading:-)

Have a wonderful day:-)

*The book: The road to Agra was written by Aimée Sommerfelt and was first published in 1959. It has been translated into 17 different languages.