German by passport, home where I feel most alive
It’s not a myth.. women are different to men. Probably in most aspects of life. I count travelling in, too. I think it’s safe to say that our travelling behaviour is very different compared to that of men. Yet, it feels like all aspects of a journey have been designed by men and are not women friendly at all. Continue reading “When Women Travel”
It’s almost the last day of 2013. Time to make those New Years resolutions and wishes, I think. Or maybe not? I skipped them last year and it turned out to be a great year.
From a travels perspective Berlin and Lake Como were the two highlights that left the most memorable impressions in 2013. Each of them for different reasons and I am just extremely grateful that I was able to experience those destinations and moments.
In 2013, I left a lot of money at the duty-free shops at the airport and I am more than ever convinced that it is a myth that they sell the stuff cheaper than other shops. Yesterday nevertheless, I went to a shop downstairs at Frankfurt Airport (Schengen area) and bought myself a leather jacket that was on my wish list for a very long time. When going upstairs again, I had to go through passport control again and I saw on the slip that I was able to claim back VAT.. (only because I bought it in the Schengen area of the airport and there no duty-free shops actually exist). So, that’s another goodie that 2013 had in store for me: I needed a new passport and finally my official residence is in South Africa with the benefit of being able to claim back VAT for any purchases made in Germany or anywhere else. Not that there will be a lot of purchases, looking at the recent devaluation of the ZAR against the Euro. And if this devaluation continues, I am seriously going to consider to skip any European destination next year…and with this I come to my resolutions for 2014.
Visiting at least 3 new places in 2014:
going places, experiencing new challenges, leaving my comfort zone, being active.
This could be anything from a Yoga holiday in Bali, to a mountain bike tour across Mallorca, to hiking in South America..
Even though the Euro is so expensive, I’d still like to squeeze in a city trip somewhere in Europe even if it is just for one night. Especially since the long haul flight is paid for if it is a business trip to Frankfurt, which is after all the heart of Europe.
Saving money
I am aware that this is the standard NY resolution. My goal is to save up enough money throughout the year, so that I can take a three-months sabbatical December next year through to February. I’d spend this sabbatical in Cape Town. Just three months, doing only what I want, not thinking of any work related problems.. waking up, going for a coffee at Giovanni’s, then to the beach and working on my tan, every second day a hike up Lion’s Head to keep fit. Working on some creative ideas in the afternoons and posting on this blog more regularly.. What a dream..
I know it looks like number 1 and 2 are hard to combine. Nevertheless, one needs to have goals, right? And usually, things turn out differently anyway.. I am wishing all of you the most of success and luck for your goals to become reality in 2014.
Much love
D.
When I saw this video, I was instantly reminded of my very first post: Stereotype Pilot!
Since that post was published, I have met the mentioned pilot for dinner and he insisted that I put his profession into a good light again..well, I hope the video does it for me. After all, I would have not agreed on dinner if I thought badly of them (or him for that matter)..
If someone had to ask my close friends what I really can’t stand, the answer would be homogeneously: “packing!!” I have probably mentioned it hundred of times in various conversations. To put some more emphasis on it, I want to shout out loud again.. I HATE PACKING!
Today I am busy packing for 3 upcoming business trips. All happening within the next 10 days…, Continue reading “I Hate Packing”
I’m not sure about you, but I get to know more and more couples practising the long-distance kind of relationship. This made me think and the result of my week-long thinking process was quite surprising to myself: I actually think it is possible! Maybe it is not that surprising after all, since I am on the move all the time. Nevertheless, I’ll even go further and say that it might be the better way of executing a relationship… well at least for me and the way I am thinking at the moment (but as we all know life is work in progress and attitudes can change). Coming out of a relationship in which we have been too close (distance wise not necessarily emotionally) this might be quite a refreshing alternative to try. And here is why I think it might actually work:
Why it might work 1: a small world
In a world of the world wide web, emails, Skype, tablets, iPhones and what not it is reasonable easy to maintain a long distance relationship. Everyone knows the fun that comes along at the beginning of reach relationship when couples still send cute messages to each other, telling each other “I miss you” in a message or at the end of a call (because they haven’t seen each for more than 5 hours). So why not prolonging this phase for a little longer? Technology can make us feel only a few miles away while in reality it is hundreds or even thousands. Someone told me recently that she hasn’t been to her new boyfriend’s house yet as he lives a few hours away and he usually visits her, so they were skyping and he gave her a virtual tour though his house. Once you are tired of being able to talk but not able to touch, you quickly book your next flight and off you go. Even that has become so easy and relatively inexpensive.
Why it might work 2: excitement
Despite the saying that a couple spending time apart is a couple in trouble, I think it can very well work out the opposite way. Nothing probably kills romance more than living on top of each other most of the time (oh yes.. experience is speaking). On top comes the excitement of the travelling. Each visit feels like a weekend away, you make it special! Oh and this reminds me of another advantage: you can let your hair grow in the time between and have it waxed just before you go! Great!
Why it might work 3: Independence
Especially when both parties are pursuing a career, a long distance relationship might have its advantages.. no one at home who is nagging about office hours, even if you spend half the night there you won’t be accused of infidelity. No obligations in terms of household duties, like filling the fridge or cooking.. sounds relatively manageble to me.
Last but not least:
A long distance relationship is surely nothing that you want to keep up forever but I don’t see a problem in starting the relationship off like that. Of course, I won’t deny that there are also lots of cons but if both parties are committed then this definitely works out. Obviously it depends on the distance and surely not being spread over two continents with a possibly time difference makes it easier, too. Although even this might work. A prime example is my old flatmate from Germany who moved to India for her job and the love of her life is spending most of his time in the States (West coast to make it even worse; read: farther away). Perhaps, it is a new wave of attitude spreading through my generation: not necessarily seeing a relationship as a total symbiosis but whatever works best – even if it means jetsetting between two countries!
Confessions of a Traveler 