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Thanksgiving Traditions — Are they the Same Overseas?

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There's nothing like the holidays to bring out the best -- or the worst -- in you when you're living overseas. If you're lonely, disoriented, or homesick, holidays can make you feel much worse. If you're enjoying your life, holidays can be a lot of fun. But guess what? That can happen when you're in your home country, too. It's really about your overall quality of life and what you make of it. For a few years before we moved to Panama, Thanksgivings seemed very odd to me. No longer were we …

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I Miss Panama! Here are 10 Reasons Why

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Last week my husband and I flew out of Panama's Tocumen International Airport for the last time. Well, maybe not the last time forever, but for at least a couple of years. If you're not on my mailing list, Facebook page or Google Plus page, you might have missed the announcement. Long story short, my husband got an unexpected job offer that's bringing us back to the US, for at least a couple years. Temporarily, we're in South Carolina. (And, frankly, the culture shock of living in the Deep …

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Why it’s Worth Expatriating to China

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Guest Post from Expat Explorer For many, a move to China has always been a dream. The country is rich in mysterious history and culture and the sheer size of it makes for an explorer’s utopia. Living in China, whether you are in Shanghai, Chengdu or a village on a mountain top, can be an eye opener which many expats do not truly prepare for. The culture shock or a sense of frustration when setting up could dishearten any expat. It’s true that the way of life in China creates a different world …

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Quality of Life is an Elusive Beast

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"Quality of life" means something different to each of us. On top of that, it changes over time. What makes for great quality of life when we're in our 20s doesn't work so well when our kids are in Middle and High School, or after they go off to college. And nothing teaches you about quality of life more than living overseas as an expat. In the pressure-cooker environment of living in a place that's completely new and different, you find out fast what's really important to you. Our move to …

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After the Lights and Music End: The Dark Side of Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama [Video]

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Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama, is a huge event. It brings around 100,000 visitors to the town -- and Las Tablas' normal population is only about 10,000. Merchants make a big chunk of their annual sales before, during and after Carnaval. Families earn some extra income by bunking in together and renting out houses or apartments to Carnaval-goers. Carnaval itself is a huge business, employing makers of costumes, floats and other paraphernalia at a cost well into the six figures. …

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Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama

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Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama (and yes, that's the correct Spanish spelling for Carnival) is a big deal here. A very big deal. Every year the town of Las Tablas swells to more than 10 times its normal population. This normally quiet town -- residents describe it as muy tranquilo -- jumps from about 10,000 people to over 100,000 for four days of round-the-clock partying and competitiveness. There are two queens: Arriba and Abajo (think uptown and downtown). You support one or the other. …

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