I am afraid my last post gave some of you the wrong impression (how fitting was that title?). It was meant as a funny story, but that didn't come across maybe.
Let me make one thing clear: there was no judgement intended, neither from me on my friend or from her on me!!!
The Expat Wife is a non existing creature, at least I have never met her. She is the stay at home spouse in a foreign country, with staff to wait on her hand and foot. She wears haute couture and pearl necklaces, drinks sherry and plays Bridge.
{hmmm, so far I only seem to lack the proper fashion sense ;-) }
I don't think any expat wife wants to be like The Expat Wife, that's why we joke about it when our lives start to look like hers.
I do have have Kavitha to clean and cook and Baburaj to drive us around, but we are also involved with their families (not only financially).
I do go out for coffee and lunches a lot, but that is what keeps me sane. I don't have my family around so my friends serve as a substitute. I don't work because I am not allowed to on this visa, so I volunteer by teaching English in a slum. I do see what circumstances these people live in and realise how lucky I am.
Expat life is great, but it puts you in a weird position. When in Rome do as the Romans, but outside Rome you might look like a snob...
When I am back in The Netherlands not very many people understand what life is like in India (or Libya or Nigeria) and to be honest even less are really interested.
The only thing I would like to do is to leave a good impression, whereever I am in the world, and to be able to laugh about the misunderstandings.
I think these two clips from French and Saunders are great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hFDQxWSHO0&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xht7nqVmxR4
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