The top ten yings and yangs of living overseas

I’ve long had the Y&Y theory about travelling. 

How many times have you been chased away by bitey things from what was otherwise the perfect spot?

I mean, England may be a little bit grey and damp, but I honestly never saw one cockroach until I travelled overseas.

So, while I’m not about to give it all up just yet, it’s just worth remembering that there’s frequently a small downside to all the cool stuff.

But you’re still jealous, right?

1. You get to experience paradise/who knew paradise had so many mosquitoes?

2. You can enjoy beautiful weather every day/ I didn't know I could sweat so much.

3. Eventually the rain comes and cools everywhere down/yup, mosquitoes again, they love the wet.

4. You get to try exotic foods from a whole new culture/ you stop being able to buy exotic foods from all other cultures.

5. You can’t remember the last time you wore shoes and socks/ you have two missing toenails and an angry red skin complaint caused by alternatively covering your insect bitten feet in sun cream then bug spray.

6. You realise what a nanny state you’ve suffered all your life/you start to doubt the safety of buses when there is three to a seat, a full aisle and people on the roof.

7. Everything is incredibly cheap/your wages are very low.

8. Football is like the good old days – you can turn up at five minutes to kick off and it's cheap enough to take the whole family/ you can’t remember the last time you saw a decent pass, never mind a goal.

9. You seem to have so much more time/you spend it on the toilet.

10. It’s so peaceful and quiet/ drums fingers, looks around, whistles, sighs.

Comments

[degan]

spot on!

[Kathy Adams]

Awesome post Steve! I cracked up (and related) to each one. Thanks for the grins.

[rachie]

Oh god - most definitely. Wish I'd written that.

[Patty]

hehehe. that made me laugh! excellent one.

[ourman]

Wow - best reaction in a while.

And as much as I hate blog lists, I guess sometimes they are okay.

I just miss people telling me information instead of presenting it as a top ten.

I often wonder whether bloggers' kids are told the top ten reasons why not to jump on their bed, eat all their dinner, study hard at at school etc.

But maybe there'll be one or two lists around her occasionally.

[sam]

This is quite funny Steve...thanks for giving me the heads up on the mosquitoes, bug bites, red swollen feet, etc...I look forward to all of this and more:)

[ourman]

Glad you liked it Sam. Today the mozzies are hell, however you should know that in this respect i suffer worst than most.

I was told in Vietnam that my blood was particularly sweet.

I also heard once that they go for the hottest person in the room. That is usually me.

[minxlj]

Number 9 made me laugh out loud! I hope you haven't had too much of that though. I've been lucky in my travels, I don't suffer insect bites, must be the vegetarian blood they don't like ;-)

[ourman]

Maybe it is the Veggie thing. Seeing as I live with one perhaps I get all the bites for both of us.

[Greg]

Very funny read - everyone abroad can certainly relate! Loved it. :)

- Greg