Issue 5

Global Living

issue 5 | February/March 2013

Living Luxuriously, Worldwide

magazine

singapore hawker centers Multi-Ethnic Traditions on a Plate

Five secrets of successful relocation repatriation

The Good, The Bad & The Bit in The Middle

tahiti

French Polynesian Paradise

special series: altruistic expats Book reviews

Country Guides

Ryan Roth global influencer

art advisor. curator. businessman. expat.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR alison cavatore

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t’s a new year and we are thrilled to present you with the first issue of 2013! Despite all of their holiday travel plans and celebrations, our dedicated contributors worked tirelessly to make this an amazing issue.

For a new three-part series on altruistic expats (p. 40), Anne O’Connell searched Asia and the Americas to find two expats who dedicate a significant amount of their time to great local causes.

Aisha Ashraf compiled a guide for making your next relocation as successful as possible (p. 45), and Apple Gidley explored the inevitable highs and lows of repatriation (p. 37). And what better way to start off a new year than to have three fantastic global influencers (p. 28), including the founder of Roth Management, Ryan Roth, actress Alice Amter (of The Big Bang Theory), and AlexandAlexa.com founder Alex Theophanous. And last, but certainly not least, our travel writers visited Tahiti (p. 23), Singapore (p. 19), England (p. 15) and Vietnam (p. 12) to bring you the best of the best from around the globe.

Alison Cavatore Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Global Living Magazine

Editor's Social Cor

ner

INAUGURATION WEEKEND, WASHINGTON, D.C. It was an incredible thrill to be in the nation's capital during Inauguration weekend. The city was packed with visitors and there was an electric feeling of patriotism and celebration. As an American who didn't grow up in America, it was a unique experience for me to connect to my origins in one of the most beautiful cities I've lived in.

Personally, the start of 2013 was something special for me as well.

Now based in the Washington, D.C. area, I was privy to the inauguration of President Barack Obama which took place 10 minutes from my home. The incredible energy and patriotism that engulfed the city was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

Though I often have a hard time associating with things in the U.S., having grown up abroad, bearing witness to the inauguration festivities was a true testament Join us on Twitter to the fact that @GlobalLivingMag or @AlisonCavatore you can take an American out of America, but you can’t take America out of the American.

Never knowing where my travels will lead me, and where I’ll be the next time a president is sworn in, I was thrilled to be located in the nation’s capital for this momentous occasion.

And so 2013 begins. All of us at Global Living Magazine wish you an equally fantastic start to the new year and, as always, encourage you to KEEP TRAVELING!

INSIDER ACCESS: Alison's D.C. moments captured on Instagram.

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Lunch at Off The Record, The Hay Adams Hotel.

(Twitter: @HayAdamsHotel) Global Living Magazine

A beautiful fall day walking through Georgetown.

Sweet treats at Georgetown's Dean & Deluca.

(Twitter: @DeanAndDeLuca)

An amazing sight - President Obama's helicopters passing the Washington Monument on their way to the White House.

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INSIDE GLOBAL LIVING contents

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34 40

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clockwise from top: image Linda Popovich; image courtesy of C. Wonder; image courtesy of luton hoo hotel, golf & spa; image by Marla Cimini; image provided by Kwawar Ashraf.

February/march 2013 4 Letter from the Editor Alison Cavatore

6 Contributors

Meet our talented team from around the world.

8 global style

Jetsetter fashion and accessories from top global brands.

TRAVEL

12 Ana Mandara Hue

Exploring the luxuries of Vietnam's Ana Mandara Hue Resort.

15 hotel review

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Luton, England.

19 Singapore hawker Centers

A culinary journey through the streets of Singapore and the city's famous hawker centers.

23 Tahiti

An exploration of French Polynesia and the remote splendor of the region's hidden gems.

28 global influencers

Interviews with creative and influential individuals making a splash around the world.

EXPATRIATE

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37 Repatriation

The Good, The Bad and the Bit in the Middle. A story of coming to terms with returning 'home'.

40 expats giving back

Asia & The Americas: Part One of a three-part series on altruistic expatriates.

45 5 Secrets of successful relocation

Advice on how to make the most of your relocation and avoid the common mishaps.

46 Book reviews: Country guides

Recommended country guides for the avid traveler.

Follow us:

Facebook.com/GlobalLivingMagazine Twitter.com/GlobalLivingMag Pinterest.com/GlobalLivingMag

On the Cover:

GLOBAL INFLUENCER: RYAN ROTH

Image by Yuki Matsumura - Courtesy of Roth Management

GlobalLivingMagazine.com Living Luxuriously, Worldwide

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GLOBAL CONTRIBUTORS Meet our talented team

Marla Cimini

As a journalist with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures, Marla has written for many national and regional publications, on topics ranging from wine trails in Argentina to African-American-owned wineries in Napa Valley. Marla is the author and co-editor of the book, A Century of Hospitality: 1910 – 2010 (McNeill publishing), which focuses on the history of the hotel industry. Many of her articles are featured in Lodging magazine, where she covers trends in tourism. Her work has also appeared in The Courier Post; USA Today online; Uptown; and The Philadelphia Business Journal – among others. When not globetrotting (or searching for the perfect wine to complement chocolate-covered pretzels), she can be found rocking out with her musician husband, Chris, at their home in New Jersey. Visit Marla’s website at www. marlacimini.com and follow her on Twitter at: @MarlaCimini.

Jo Parfitt

Jo Parfitt has published 26 non-fiction books, an anthology of poetry called A Moving Landscape, and a novel called Sunshine Soup. She is a journalist, teacher, editor and publisher who also mentors others who want to write and publish books and articles.

Jo has lived in Dubai, Oman and Norway, and is now in the Netherlands. Living and working overseas has made her the mentor and publisher of choice for countless expat writers at Summertime Publishing. All of her expat titles can be seen at: www. expatbookshop.com. Pick up a free report on ‘How to Write Your Life Story – the Inside Secrets’ at: www.joparfitt.com/freereport. Jo also leads weeklong residential writing courses in Tuscany on how to write life stories. More information can be found at: www.watermill.net.

Carolyn Pearson

Carolyn Pearson is a U.K.-based freelance writer and industry expert on business travel for women. She is also CEO and founder of www.maiden-voyage.com, an award-winning global network designed to make business travel both safe and social for professional women. Carolyn has a background in technology, primarily focused on both travel and media. Her work has taken her throughout Europe, the U.S. and India, and she has lived and worked in both the Netherlands and Australia. As a result, Carolyn speaks fluent Dutch and also some French. Contact her via email at Carolyn@maiden-voyage.org or follow her on Twitter at: @maiden_voyage.

Linda Popovich

Linda Popovich is a freelance photographer based in Seattle, Washington. Living and working in Asia and Europe for several years provided ongoing inspiration for her love of photography and travel. In 2009, after more than 25 years in the corporate world, she decided to change course and pursue her passions of photography and art full-time. Her photographs have been published in a variety of publications in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to travel photography, Linda also enjoys photographing animals, and just about anything that keeps her outdoors.

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If you are interested in contributing to Global Living, please contact our Editor-in-Chief, Alison Cavatore, at: Alison@GlobalLivingMagazine.com. We are always looking for experienced, well-traveled writers and photographers and we want to hear from you, our readers. Contact us now about opportunities and visit us online at GlobalLivingMagazine.com.

Roy Stevenson

Roy Stevenson is a professional freelance travel writer and photographer based in Seattle, Washington. With more than 750 articles published in 170 regional, national and international magazines, newspapers, trade journals, and in-flight and online travel magazines, Roy is one of the most prolific travel writers in the U.S.A. To view more of Roy Stevenson’s travel articles, go to www.Roy-Stevenson.com.

Anne O'Connell

Anne O’Connell is a freelance writer, social media consultant and author of @Home in Dubai… Getting Connected Online and on the Ground. She has been an expat since 1993 when she and her husband left Toronto, Canada and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They enjoyed the sun for 14 years, while she worked in the PR field, before moving to Dubai in 2007 and then to Thailand in 2011. In Dubai, O’Connell started a freelance copywriting business and, more recently, she started writing fiction and was recognized twice with an Editor’s Choice Award on the Fiction Writers’ Platform.

O’Connell grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has a bachelor of public relations from Mount St. Vincent University. For more information, visit her website at www.anne-oconnell.com.

Shirley Agudo

Assistant Editor of Global Living Magazine Shirley Agudo is an American author, editor and photographer based in the Netherlands. She is the author/ photographer of five books: Bicycle Mania Holland (www.bicycle-mania.nl), Fodor’s Holland, Hot Pink, Network Your Way to Success and Here’s Holland (www. heresholland.com). As a documentary photographer, she is also the founder of the Amsterdam Street Photographers’ collective. Along with Street Photography Workshops, she leads regular Photo Walks in Amsterdam. For more information, contact Shirley directly at: shirleyagudo@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @BicycleMania.

Nga Hoang

Bitten by the storytelling bug at an early age, Hanoi-born freelance writer Nga Hoang has evolved from an avid listener of her tailor-grandfather's exotic tales to a wandering travel writer. Living in a city in transition, she enjoys the privilege of making Hanoi a launch pad for her writing career. She writes for a number of international titles, including Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet Magazine Asia, Cuisine Magazine, and more.

When not on assignment, she enjoys hiding herself away at a street cafe to linger over a strong black brew and watch the relentless swarm of motorbikes, sleek new cars and hawkers weave through streets until the sunlight fades.

Aisha Ashraf

Aisha Isabel Ashraf is a freelance writer who’s made the expatriate leap of faith twice – first as a lifestyle choice, and now as the trailing spouse of a civil engineer in a global consultancy. Currently based in Canada with her husband and children, she’s crossed geographical, cultural and religious borders and gives a candid account of the journey on her award-winning blog, Expatlogue. Her fascination for travel and psychology drives her work today. Her series of posts entitled ‘Breaking the Code of Silence’, about stigma and mental illness, led to her participation in a research study for Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She also writes for various U.K. newspapers, travel and lifestyle publications, and is a columnist for Expat Focus, an established online expat resource. Follow her on Twitter at: @AishaAshraf1.

Apple Gidley

Apple Gidley, a freelance writer and author of Expat Life Slice by Slice has traveled extensively and is a seasoned expatriate, having started her nomadic life at a month old in West Africa. She has lived and worked in Nigeria, England, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Papua New Guinea, The Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Scotland, Equatorial Guinea and the USA. Apple currently lives in Houston, Texas. Read her blog at www.my.telegraph. co.uk/applegidley or visit her website at www.expatapple.com.

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GLOBAL STYLE

Nassak Grey Cashmere Coyote The unisex model of the legendary woodsman hat of Harricana features long flaps which are adjustable under the chin, allying comfort and style. Made of recycled coyote coat and recycled cashmere coat. $379*

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images courtesy of christopher guy

Jetsetter fashion and accessories

chic yet ethical fashion that embodies

winter

glamour THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENJOY WINTER FASHION AND, FOR THIS INSTALLMENT OF GLOBAL STYLE, WE’RE CELEBRATING RENOWNED CANADIAN BRAND HARRICANA PAR MARIOUCHE’S ETHICAL, ONE-OF-A-KIND CREATIONS.

images courtesy of Harricana par Mariouche

Since 1993, Harricana par Mariouche has been creating high-quality fashion apparel by recycling old furs and saving the lives of more than 800,000 animals at the same time. Maintaining a concern for the environment as a core value, Harricana par Mariouche has breathed new life into more than than 80,000 coats, silk scarves, cashmere scarves and wedding gowns, proving that fashion can also be sustainable. All of their creations are made in Canada under ethical manufacturing conditions and nearly 90 percent of the fur comes from Quebec. Born in the First Nations village of Loretteville, Mariouche Gangé attended the Lasalle College fashion design program, completed an internship at Printemps Haussmann, trained at Denmark’s Saga Furs of Scandinavia, earned a Master’s Degree in design management at Milan’s Domus Academy and then created a sizeable collection of clothing from recycled fur… all by the time she turned 25. International sales now make up half of Harricana’s revenue and include 18 countries such as Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Japan, Russia and Australia. In 2011, Unnanaq Black Harricana hosted Leather Coyote the official opening of Bringing a sophisticated charm and buoyant elegance, these bags present a the 20th Fashion Week of bold look and are as practical as they are Montreal, and in 2012 the brand stylish. The bags are made of recycled coyote coat and black leather. Sold presented its eco-collaboration with separately. Small: $779*; Large: $799* prestigious French skiwear designer Rossignol in Val d’Isère.

ABVA Boa A great day-to-night accessory, this boa is made from recycled coyote and embodies what means to be winter chic. $399*

Kola Men Brown Mink Men’s slippers with all fur lining and anti-slip sole made from recycled mink coat. $219*

Illuyukak Silver Fox Vest Dress up any occasion and stay warm during the cold months with this luxurious vest made of recycled silver fox coat. $1,599*

*Prices are listed in USD and may vary by country and boutique. Online prices may vary from store prices.

Global Living 9 Visit www.harricana.qc.ca forMagazine more information.

luminous accents perfect for life's

brighter

moments

Lightweight Leopard Print Wool Gauzy Scarf The perfect way to cure winter blues with a burst of color, this scarf boasts a magenta trim and is made of lightweight wool gauze. $58

FOR THOSE BASKING IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SUNSHINE AND THOSE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING, THESE FABULOUSLY LUMINOUS ITEMS FROM C. WONDER CAN EASILY BRING A POP OF COLOR TO YOUR WARDROBE AND LIFE.

Mini Nylon Easy Tote C. Wonder’s answer to the everyday bag, this tote easily fits over the shoulder or in the crook of your elbow. With inner pockets for keys or your phone, the nylon bag features supple, leather-like handles. $58

Suede Signature Driving Moccasins Signature driving moccasins crafted of suede and adorned with glimmering gold-played twin ‘C.’s. Featuring memoryfoam-cushioned insoles and flexible, rubber tread outsoles, these moccasins are available in shades of Poppy, Aster, Lapis and Evergreen. $98

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Druzy Bib Necklace Bringing the sweeping glamour of Old Hollywood back, this sparkling statement necklace is studded with glittering druzy stones set in 14K-gold plate with a hand-hammered texture and dramatic silhouette. $128

Saffiano Leather Monogram Clutch This timeless silhouette clutch features a removable gold chain, an exterior, magnetic snap pocket on the back and three interior pockets.

Personalize it by choosing your initial (sold separately) from C. Wonder’s gold-plated Monogram Bag Buckle Collection. $128

Park Avenue Rose Cotton Trench Coat A film noir classic and sophisticated cotton trench featuring cobalt flowers, a double-breasted silhouette, shoulder epaulets, belted waist and a golden bamboo buckle. $248

Wide Enamel Equestrian Cuff Part of the signature enamel collection, this hand-painted bangle is inspired by haute scarf prints and updated for the season with a combination of shimmering 14K-gold plate and glossy, vibrant shades perfect for stacking, mixing and matching. $78

Large Druzy Stone Studded Ring This gleaming oversized showstopper features a crystal-inspired design with unique stones set in 14K-gold plate with hand-hammered texture. $48

Visit CWonder.com for more information.

images courtesy of C. Wonder

Bright and beautiful, C. Wonder is the brainchild of Christopher Burch, the founder and CEO of Burch Creative Capital and co-founder of Tory Burch LLC (along with his ex-wife fashion designer Tory Burch). Offering a full spread of radiantly colored clothing, accessories and home décor, C. Wonder is a self-described shopping destination that transports women into a world of luxury and surprise. www.cwonder.com

image s courtesy of Ola Voyna

Model Wearing: Pave Dome Necklace Drawing on vintage silhouettes, this pave-encrusted necklace features a series of crystal-studded rounds. $78 Square Stone Bling Necklace This sparkly necklace frames the face for a heightened dramatic effect and features elegant square stones with a choker silhouette, perfect for dressing up casual favorites or complementing couture pieces. $58 Tipped Cashmere Cardigan C. Wonder’s signature midi-cardigan silhouette in cashmere, adorned with contrasting tipped edges and glossy enamel buttons. $178

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GLOBAL TRAVEL

exploring the world one destination at a time

The Essence of Vietnamese Hospitality

Ana Mandara Hue by nga Hoang

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efore setting off to Hue, I had been constantly warned of freezing drizzle, empty streets and desolate landscapes.

Who, then, in their right mind would go to such a place?

After much fighting with myself, I finally left Hanoi on a dreary cold afternoon.

The journey by train from Hanoi to Hue was by far the longest 12 hours I’ve ever experienced. The cabins were stuffy; phones buzzed every few minutes; fellow passengers trundled back and forth down the hallway to wait for their turn to use the restroom. I slept sporadically and woke up every time the train halted to pick up passengers.

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The train hissed into the station in Hue at 8 a.m. I disembarked from the train in a zombie state but was soon energized by the sun.

A shuttle bus driver had been sent to pick me up at the train station. He escorted me to his mini bus and handed me a bottle of water and a warm towel.

“Lucky you,” the driver said. “At this time of year, we would have expected an awful lot of rain.”

We whizzed past rice paddy fields, roaming chickens, herds of buffalo and uniformed children wobbling on rickety bicycles.

After a 20-minute ride, I arrived at Ana

Mandara Hue, in which I found myself stepping into another world. It’s as far from the manic chaos as you could get and as close to heaven as you could get, too.

A woman clad in yellow ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) immediately sat me down with a warm herbal tea and a cold face towel. After a quick check-in, I was shepherded to a beachfront villa tucked away in a leafy tropical garden. As soon as the door was opened, it was as if I’d stepped back into the bygone colonial era. The whole room was awash with dark purple hues, reminiscent of imperial vibes. The bedroom was a piece of art in its own right, with a brightly-lit, domed, ornate ceiling

image courtesy of Ana Mandara Hue

Set amidst seven acres of tropical parkland, Ana Mandara Hue sits on Thuan An Beach and Tam Giang Lagoon.

Hoang visited the tropical paradise to explore all of the comforts and luxuries of Vietnamese hospitality.

images courtesy of Ana Mandara Hue

that appeared in stark contrast to the dark wooden flooring. A sliding door opened up to the bathroom, which elicited the impression of a botanical garden.

As this was off-season, the beach was blissfully quiet. There were days when I’d just laze the day away on the cushioned sun lounge, soaking up the last rays of sunshine.

When I got itchy feet, I simply shared a shuttle bus with the staff to the city center.

On one of those days, after a whirlwind tour of wandering around the citadel’s confusing maze of buildings and hopping from temple to temple, I felt tempted to take a leisurely stroll along the beach, so I took the last shuttle bus to whisk me back to Ana Mandara Hue. After a shower, I fortified myself with crispy spring rolls and Global Living Magazine

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daily soundtrack of honking horns.

For me, Ana Mandara Hue ticks all the boxes: intimacy, exquisite interiors, close to the beach, eco-friendly and, above all, the essence of Vietnamese hospitality.

Ana Mandara hue Address: Thuan An Town, Phu Vang District, Hue Province, Vietnam Tel: +84 (0) 8392 06949 Web: www.epikurean.ws

images courtesy of Ana Mandara Hue

Hue-style roasted pork ribs at a candle-lit, open-terraced restaurant looking out onto the vast stretch of coastline. Then I rounded it all off with a customized Bailey cocktail at a palm-thatched bar perched on the beach.

I wrapped up my day with a long walk on the beach before climbing into bed. When I headed back to my room, I saw two little cakes with a goodnight note that had been placed neatly on my bedside table. That night, as well as the others, I slept with windows flung open, to the sound of gently lapping waves – a welcome respite from the

hotel review Luton, england

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa

For this issue of Global Living Magazine, Carolyn Pearson – award-winning, innovative web-start-up entrepreneur, CEO and founder of Maiden-Voyage.com – visited Luton Hoo Hotel, a magnificent property frequented by London’s elite who are looking to briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

images courtesy of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa

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he approach to the five-star Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa is much like that of any imposing country mansion until that very last second when you turn the corner and it stands before you in all of its splendor. The magnificent facade of this stunning building is both unexpected and breathtaking in equal measures.

It was hard to imagine that I was within a 30-minute reach of London. Luton Hoo is a popular retreat for city dwellers wanting to escape to the countryside or enjoy a range of country sports. There is a private heli-pad on the estate, and the hotel is only a 10-minute drive from Luton Airport, London’s largest airport for private jets.

Steeped in history, Luton Hoo has hosted many illustrious guests, including Queen Mary, Edward VII, Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten. Former residents include the Earl of Bute, the then Prime Minister to George III; Sir Julius Wernher, diamond magnate, cited as one of the richest men in Britain and, later, his son Sir Harold

Augustus Wernher who married Anastasia de Torby (Lady Zia), member of the former Russian Imperial Family. The Russian influence is still prominent today in many of the features and art found throughout the hotel.

There has been a property on Luton Hoo estate, originally a small manor house, since Anglo-Saxon times, and the word ‘hoo’ meant spur of hill. The mansion house today has been in existence since the late 18th century. The striking architecture is a combination of works from Robert Adam, Sir Robert Smirke, and Mewes and Davis, architects of the Ritz Hotel.

I was fascinated to find a former Russian Orthodox Chapel, still used to host celebrations and parties. It was in 2007 that Luton Hoo first opened its doors as a hotel, having been acquired by the Elite Hotels Group.

The hotel is nestled amidst stunning grounds designed by the famous English landscape architect, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. In summer, the terrace overlooking

Wernher Restaurant Global Living Magazine

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image courtesy of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa

the formal gardens and the fountain is a perfect spot from which to have lunch al fresco.

Today, visitors will recognize Luton Hoo as a backdrop for many famous films, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, The Secret Garden and Bright Young Things.

I arrived on a frosty winter evening, stepping into the beautiful Great Hall, and was instantly soothed by the roaring log fire and the comforting buzz of families having afternoon tea.

On entering, I instantly noticed the sheer vastness of the mansion: the high, ornately decorated ceilings, the great oval staircase and the pillared hall.

The reception area is discreetly set off from the hall so as not to detract from its grandeur. At Luton Hoo, there is no shortage of space; the rooms and suites are impressively large, many with private terraces and all with huge, plush, marble bathrooms (many with Jacuzzi baths), fluffy robes and Molton Brown toiletries. I was delighted to find my own private terrace, a perfect spot to enjoy my morning tea while listening to the chatter of the birds.

All of the suites are aptly named to pay homage to the previous inhabitants – the most significant being the Queen Elizabeth Suite, part of a suite of rooms occupied by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their honeymoon, and to which they have returned on many occasions since.

The hotel is littered with wonderful and interesting antiques, artifacts and furniture, and much of the interior has been restored to look the same as it did in years gone by. All the artwork and sculptures are copies of the original pieces. The Wernher collection is now with English Heritage at Rangers House Museum in London.

The public rooms are bright, spacious, airy and enchanting. Afternoon tea can be taken in the old ballroom overlooking the terrace or one can lounge in the library surrounded by antiquarian books, including an impressive collection of Charles Dickens’ original works.

The impressive Country Club at Luton Hoo offers guests one of the longest 18-hole golf courses in the British Isles, three tennis courts, including a restored Victorian grass court, clay pigeon shooting, boating, falconry and archery, which can all be found on the stunning 1,065-acre estate. While the Country Club does have a sizeable gym, I was Global Living Magazine

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Spend the valentine's Day at luton hoo hotel Woo your loved one with a romantic dinner at the hotel's Adam's Brasserie on February 14, 15 or 16.

Couples will be welcomed with a cocktail and canapés, then enjoy a three-course dinner with wine.

Menu selections include Confit of Aylesbury duck leg, duo of Casterbridge lamb, pan fried fillet of hake with a lobster ravioli, strawberry and pink peppercorn tartlet with champagne sorbet, hot whisky and ginger pudding with warm raspberry anglaise, and more.

Valentine's Dinner at Adam's Brasserie is priced at $93.60 (£59) per person or $252.24 (£159.00) with accomodation.

Visit www.lutonhoo.co.uk for more information.

luton hoo hotel, golf and spa Address: The Mansion House Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3TQ, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1582 698888 Email: reservations@lutonhoo.com Web: www.lutonhoo.co.uk

Luton Hoo Pool

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Guest room

Queen Elizabeth Suite

images courtesy of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa

more inclined to indulge in the sumptuous spa housed in what were the original stables of the estate. The hotel has its own fleet of traditional London black cabs to transport guests from the main house. The large infinity and vitality pools were warm, inviting, lovely and quiet.

It was blissful to lounge in the hot sauna and steam rooms to warm myself and totally relax.

What I particularly loved, however, were the spa products – exclusive, natural oils and blends inspired by flowers and herbs found throughout the estate and used in the treatments. The spa also offers a range of holistic treatments, including reflexology and Reiki and, again reflecting the grandeur of the mansion, the treatment rooms were large and luxurious.

I dined in the elegant, award-winning Wernher restaurant, named after Sir Julius Wernher. The twinkle of candles, the open fire and the background chink of glasses soothed my soul while the beautiful eight-foot chandeliers took my breath away. The décor, ambience and the warmth of the Wernher make it a perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s dinner.

After perusing the impressive aperitif and champagne list, I opted for a delicious Kir Royale, while the delightful Edzard Grefe, restaurant manager, helped me narrow down the extensive wine list. The menu was classically British with a modern twist, and Chef Kevin Clark prides himself on using local produce and seasonal game. I opted for a wild mushroom fricassee with potato rosti, parsley puree and Madeira reduction, and a delicious roasted rib of local beef. Dessert was an unlimited, irresistible selection of delights served from the trolley, with a cheese course to follow.

I ended the evening with a nightcap, coffee and petit fours in the Pillared Hall, snuggled serenely on a comfy sofa by the roaring log fire.

In quiet contemplation of how life would have been here in times gone by, I vowed to return.

Singapore hawker centers Multi-Ethnic Traditions on a Plate

By Roy Stevenson Periodically, as you walk through Singapore’s busy streets, a powerful mélange of sweet, fragrant and pungent food aromas will waft past your nose.

images by Linda Popovich

F

ish paste. Ginger. Curry. Seafood.

Roast meat. Near the source of these enticing smells you’ll see couples, businesspeople and families sitting around circular or square Formica-laminate tables, slurping, sipping and chewing their way through a heady variety of steamy and exoticlooking dishes from deep Chinese bowls, hot claypots and plastic plates.

Chances are you’ve stumbled across one of Singapore’s hot and noisy hawker

DINING DISCOVERIES TOP: Roast pork with a sweet sauce. LEFT: Wrought iron building housing Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center. RIGHT: Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center.

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flat green belt surrounded by tropical plants and trees, like popular Newton Circus Food Center.

Hawker center ambience varies tremendously. Some are quiet (although this is a relative term), with the gentle background conversations of families, while most centers reverberate loudly with the deafening racket of yelling people, banging pots and clanging woks, all bracketed by the din of passing traffic.

Hawker centers also act as community centers where you’ll often see Chinese men relaxing in mid-afternoon over a few beers.

Hawker centers exist in various states of cleanliness ranging from somewhat grubby to well-polished; in size they can consist of small enclaves like the 80-odd stalls at the Maxwell Hawker Center in Chinatown to enormous conglomerations of hundreds of food stalls like the sprawling Lau Pa Sat Center.

Despite the dubious appearance of a few hawker centers, Singapore’s National Environment Agency inspects all stalls regularly and regulates them closely.

The government recently invested a staggering S$420 million (US$341.9 million) to upgrade and guarantee good hygiene at the hawker centers. Your chances of getting gastric upset from hawker center food is about the same as from a high-class restaurant in Chicago – so eat up! Look for a capital ‘A’ sign that indicates the government’s ultimate seal of hygiene and cleanliness, with ‘B’ stalls not far behind.

Despite their cosmetic differences, hawker centers have several things in common. The food is very good. Look for the stalls with queues of people – the sure sign of a dynamite family recipe that may have been served at this stall for decades.

The food is cheap. You can eat your fill at hawker centers, sampling several tasty dishes for S$3-4 (US$2.44-US$3.26) each, and still have money left for a sweet dessert and glass of freshly squeezed tropical fruit juice. Although a few dishes top S$10 (US$8.14), you generally won’t pay more than S$5 (US$4.07) for most dishes. (Hint: if a dish is offered for S$3/ S$4/ or S$5, try the cheapest plate first.

Then you’ll have more room – and money – to try other dishes at other vendors).

The food is served quickly. You won’t wait for more than 10 minutes to be served, and more likely five minutes or less.

The sheer variety of hawker center food almost defies description. Here are some of my favorite Singapore

images by Linda Popovich

centers. This small island nation boasts 113 of these bustling food courts and, with a grand total of 6,000 food stalls, they provide the adventurous food aficionado with some of the most exciting and interesting dining experiences in the world – all at unbeatably low prices.

Hawker centers offer a crash course in the country’s most popular multiethnic cuisines, including a bewildering selection of dishes from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and, of course, Singapore itself – plus endless tasty combinations like Peranakan food, a Malay/Chinese food fusion.

Where else but Singapore can you find a food stall specializing in Nasi Goreng alongside one hawking Wanton dumpling soup, next to a curry chicken emporium, and the next stall cranking out hundreds of sticks of marinated BBQ chicken, lamb, and duck satay on a hot, smoky barbeque?

For more exotic tastes, there’s Lotus root with pork rib soup, salted egg minced meat with rice, sambal shrimp, fried tofu with mango, or black pepper beef rice.

Although food courts can be found throughout Asia, hawker centers are a unique part of Singapore’s culture, dating back to the 1960s when street vendors, primarily Chinese immigrants, pulled and rode their rickety carts to busy streets to set up temporary food stalls. Conditions became unsanitary and hawker centers became refuse piles, attracting all manner of unwanted vermin. In the 1970s, the government stepped in, relocating the vendors to tiled or concrete courts, and thus the hawker center was born.

And they remain tremendously popular. Singapore’s population of 5.2 million tends to eat out more than they do at home because the food is cheap and, with the 25th highest standard of living in

the world, Singapore has become a nation of unabashed and discerning foodies – on steroids. Proof positive: the island, measuring 15 miles by 25 miles (24km by 40km), boasts over 40,000 restaurants!

Eating is the Singaporean national pastime, and if it were an Olympic event it would be no contest. Singapore can legitimately lay claim to being the ‘culinary crossroads of Asia’ and its hawker centers are a heady manifestation of this heritage.

Singapore’s indigenous Chinese, Malay and Indian populations all graze at the hawker centers, plus savvy expats who also have their favorite eating stalls. Even tourists are made to feel welcome by enterprising vendors who usher them to a table near their stall, hoping for some trade.

The protocol for eating at a hawker center is simple. After deciding on which hawker center to visit, jump in a taxi. If you’re staying near the downtown area (which is where most hotels are located) you’re not likely to pay more than SGD10 (US $8.15) for taxi fare to hawker centers because everything is so close. Once you arrive at your chosen hawker center, find a table and take note of the number inscribed on the tabletop.

Leave one of your party to reserve the table while everyone else roams around to order their dishes. Self-service hawker center food stalls have you pay at the counter and carry your own food to your table, while other vendors will deliver your food to your table and collect your money there.

If all tables are taken (and they often are during the peak dining time of 6-7: 30 p.m.), feel free to sit at spare seats with other couples, after first asking politely.

You’ll never be declined, and it’s a great way to meet the locals who are just as curious about you as you are about them.

Singaporeans are a charming, intelligent and polite bunch, and you’ll have a great conversation if you ask a few discreet questions to break the ice. It’s not unusual for Singaporeans to offer you some of their food to taste – I lived there for three years and this happened almost daily.

Hawker centers are not fine dining establishments with air conditioning, white linen tablecloths, polite, manicured waiters, and menus. The word ‘casual’ almost overstates their demeanor. They’re open-air affairs, sometimes located in tall, open-sided city buildings like the triangular Tiong Bahru Hawker Center, or inside the lovely white painted, wrought iron, Victorian colonial building at Lau Pa Sat, or a large open area on a

images by Linda Popovich

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Newton Circus Food Center Located a few minutes from the Orchard Road shopping megalopolis, Newton Circus Hawker Center is Singapore’s best known, catering largely to tourists, and is therefore expensive.

The service is great, however, and the food Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center excellent. meat, baby squid, butter prawn, curry Try the meaty BBQ Tiger Prawns with fish head, spring onion crab, curry crab, chili and garlic sauce, but be prepared to Indian foods of all kinds, and Indonesian pay high prices for the prawns. We paid BBQ. S$16 (US$13.03) for each Tiger Prawn.

Try the iconic Singaporean chicken Likewise the black pepper crab and chili rice, a Hainanese creation that has crab are delicious but pricey. Other food achieved cult status in Singapore. The hits at Newton Circus include seafood rice is fried in garlic, sesame and chicken fried rice, lemon chicken, crayfish, baby oil before boiling in chicken stock. The squid, sweet and sour fish, fried oyster chicken is blanched and then dunked in omelets, Mee Goreng (an Indian Muslim cold water to smooth the skin. Chicken creation of yellow noodles, with sambal rice is best eaten with a tangy chili, ginger chili, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, greens and and soya sauce dip. lamb), stingray, and fried chicken wings.

Popiah is a soft Hokkien spring roll with Chinatown Complex Food julienned turnip and carrot, egg, prawns Center and ground peanuts wrapped in a dough This hustling hawker center takes up skin, and well worth trying. the entire second floor level of a large apartment complex, presenting an Tiong Bahru Hawker Center aromatic encyclopedia of virtually every Located on the second floor of a large city Chinese dish ever created. building, Tiong Bahru Hawker Center It’s all here: roasted duck, BBQ pork, is best known for its cheap breakfasts. It fried prawn mee, fried Char Kway Teow also has excellent roast pig, ginger onion (a popular southern Chinese dish with pork, and suckling pig with rice noodles. rice ribbon noodles, fried eggs, Chinese Try the wanton noodle, shredded sausages, bean sprouts, chives and chicken, shrimp paste chicken, or Thai sweet soya sauce), fishball noodles, wok fried chicken and cashew nuts. noodle rice, chicken with chop noodles, Other popular dishes include sweet dumpling noodle soup, and Laksa (a spicy and sour pork rib, prawn rolls, steamed Peranakan dish with spices, chili, ginger, fish, deep-fried grouper, sea bass with garlic and shallots, with dried shrimps, lemon sauce, curry fish, curry mutton, seafood stock and coconut milk). The and seafood omelets. Adventurous diners roasted duck and shredded BBQ pork can try the chicken feet salad. I ordered combo, over rice, with a sweet soya sauce, the fried oysters here (S$4/US$3.26), is my personal favorite. mixed with egg and vegetables, and it was superb.

Marine Parade Central Market & Food Center Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center We discovered this exciting hawker Renowned for its delicious chicken, lamb, center by accident on a nighttime tour and duck satays with accompanying sweet of Singapore. I had the finest minced peanut sauce, this massive hawker center chicken and pork wanton soup that I have is a must-visit. Order the satay by the ever tasted, for S$5 (US$4.07), at this plate, with 10 of each for starters. Other upscale food center. well-frequented food stalls here have BBQ Other notable dishes at Marine Parade 22

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Food Center, according to the charming family we sat with, include the chicken cutlet with rice, fried chicken wings, chicken chop hotplate, and Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk with fried or boiled egg, cucumber, and chili sambal sauce).

Other favorites at Marine Parade are Mee Siam (a piquant noodle dish served in a light, sweet, spicy tamarind/ bean paste/sugar/ stock, and dried shrimp gravy), Tahu Goreng, Lontong (a milky Indonesian dish of steamed rice cakes served in a coconut vegetable curry, with eggs, tofu and sambal, topped with spicy grated coconut), Mee Goreng, spicy soup ramen and mutton (lamb) with noodles.

Bold eaters can try the fish porridge (a Cantonese soft rice mix of seafood, meat, raw fish, and century eggs) and sliced fish bee hoon, fish head with cheeks, eyeballs and meat, boiled in a milky fish stock with rice noodles.

Drinks stalls abound. Wash your food down with Soursop juice, lime juice, mango juice, banana milkshake, papaya juice, pineapple juice, water chestnut drink, ice lemon tea, lemon barley water, sugar cane juice, and soy milk in different flavors, including watermelon and honeydew. Chinese herbal teas, as well as ginseng and chrysanthemum tea are also sold here.

Dessert stalls offer many tempting sweets. Choose from mango pudding (S$2/US$1.63), sea coconut ice jelly, honeydew sago, green bean soup, sea coconut soursop with mixed fruit, aloe vera longan pistachio, mango durian, durian ice kachang, almond longan, hot sweet potato, mango with sago, bean curd in different flavors, black sticky rice (S$1.20/US$0.98!), Guava cocktail, and many more.

Singapore’s superb, world-class variety of ethnic food still remains relatively unknown. Visit some hawker centers on your next trip to this fascinating country and, with an open mind and palate, you’ll discover some dishes that you’ll remember for ages to come. Grazing at Singapore’s food centers remains one of the ardent foodie’s greatest pleasures on this earth.

images by Linda Popovich

hawker centers and a few of their signature dishes that I have enjoyed or that locals have strongly recommended:

French Polynesian Paradise:

tahiti

photography byCimini Carolyne Kauser-Abbott image by Marla

By marla cimini

A divine destination that is often whispered in the same breezy breath as the words ‘dream vacation,’ French Polynesia conjures a sense of a tranquil paradise with sun-drenched tropical beaches and sapphire-hued waves lapping at the pristine shoreline.

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Papeete, Tahiti: City Culture in the Tropics ‘Maeva’ is the Tahitian word for ‘welcome,’ and guests truly experience warm greetings throughout all of French Polynesia. The first stop for international travelers is Papeete, the bustling capital city of Tahiti.

Although it’s tempting to immediately rush off to one of the more distant islands, Papeete has quite a few cultural offerings that are worth a look. An urban alternative to the pristine and picturesque sea and landscapes, this lively city is home to plenty of activities.

For a taste of the local cuisine, a stop by the food trucks, called roulottes, offers distinct flavors – from Asian to French (crepes, anyone?). Seasoned trekkers know that this town’s central marketplace (Le marché) offers the best opportunities and prices for shopping before – or after – jaunting off to the dreamier locales.

It’s the ideal place to get beach-ready and peruse the brightly colored, sarong-like pareos, as well as the coconut oils, jewelry, Tahitian vanilla, and an array of tropical trinkets. Of course, a visit to Tahiti is not complete without sorting through buckets of glimmering black pearls, a decadent rite of passage for most tourists. And if the need arises for some decorative, permanent skin augmentation, fear not. A tribal tattoo 24

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artist has a shop on the market’s second floor.

Aside from being considered a Mecca for surfers and scuba divers, Tahiti also features a number of museums worthy of a visit, such as the James Norman Hall Museum that celebrates the famed author; the Paul Gauguin museum; and the Museum of Tahiti and her islands. For those wishing to explore more intensely, half or full-day island tours are easily accessible, and provide a comprehensive Tahiti experience.

For a stay on Tahiti, the upscale Manava Suite resort is a lovely property situated on a lagoon with the largest infinity pool on the island. It’s a short drive from the city center of Papeete, but might as well be miles away, with its spacious, modern, renovated rooms and an attentive staff. Featuring a full-service restaurant and bar, the hotel’s serene tropical ambiance gives guests the opportunity to relax and decompress, island-style.

Moorea Heart-shaped Moorea lives up to its romantic reputation from the moment you approach the shoreline, either from the air or via ferry boat. Dramatic cliffs and rugged coastline create a breathtaking aesthetic throughout this stunning island, located just 35 minutes by boat (and 10 minutes by plane) from Tahiti. As the inspiration for author James Michener’s mythical island of Bali Hai, no wonder it is a favorite among

images by Marla Cimini

N

o matter which islands you decide to visit, Tahiti becomes your own private paradise, complete with palm trees, bright azure skies – and blissful serenity. And with a bit of careful pre-planning, you can create your own endless summer.

images by Marla Cimini

honeymooners from all corners of the world.

Visitors touring the island via jeep will marvel at the majestic panoramic views of the mountains, waterfalls and turquoise surf. Spending time on the gorgeous beaches provides optimal swimming, kayaking and snorkeling opportunities, as well as horseback riding along the coast. For some aquatic culture, Dr. Poole’s dolphin and whale tour provides an afternoon of education while spotting these glorious mammals. In the evening, a visit to the island’s Tiki Village cultural center for a Polynesian dance show is not to be missed.

For travelers seeking an exclusive Moorea experience, the perfect choice for a dreamy island getaway is the recently-renovated Hilton Moorea Lagoon resort and spa. With impeccable service and stellar accommodations, this hotel features gorgeous overwater and garden bungalows with fresh, modern interiors, complete with large bedrooms, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and claw-foot bathtubs, as well as large flat screen TVs. Glass viewing areas in the floors of the overwater bungalows provide guests with For travelers seeking an exclusive Moorea aquarium-like views experience, the perfect choice for a dreamy of the colorful fish swimming below, island getaway is the recently-renovated while the garden Hilton Moorea Lagoon resort and spa. suites have private plunge pools and decks with cushy lounge chairs. The hotel’s stunning swimming pool stretches toward the palm-treelined, 10-acre lagoon where water activities await, such as incredible snorkeling in the coral garden just steps from the beach. For those seeking some added relaxation, the resort’s spa is sure to please, with organic-only products made from local fruits and minerals.

As the only all-bungalow resort on the island, its sophisticated style encompasses a unique overwater bar with views of the lagoon, giving guests the chance to toast the island with a heartfelt Manuia (Tahitian for ‘cheers’). The Hilton also offers romantic beachfront dining at sunset.

Another Moorea lodging option with a distinctly boutique feel is the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa. With its 94 rooms (overwater, beach and garden bungalows), this charming property also features two restaurants and a wide array of activities and excursions, including an on-site dive center and a vast infinity pool.

Bora Bora If the word paradise is often used to describe the island of Bora Bora, then a stay at the luxurious Hilton Bora Bora Nui is truly a slice of heaven on earth.

Five star all the way, this remarkable resort features uber-deluxe amenities that would please even the most seasoned well-heeled traveler.

Approaching the resort by private boat, guests are treated to an authentic Polynesian greeting the moment they step onto the hotel’s unique floating lobby. The property’s expansive grounds stretch for 16 acres, and feature 122 suites and villas, adjacent to a huge infinity pool and postcard-perfect white sand beaches. Visitors are treated like VIPs, as electric golf carts are at the ready to whisk you anywhere on the resort, including the gorgeous hilltop spa with Global Living Magazine

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dreamlike panoramas, the resort’s Mediterranean restaurant or poolside bar for sunset.

The overwater thatched roof bungalows dot the resort and provide guests with their own private oasis.

The rustic exterior of the bungalows reflects the island’s natural beauty, but the interiors are pure state-of-theart luxury. Multiple glass bottom vantage points in the flooring areas provide a sea-life viewing perspective that must be seen to be believed. And with spacious bathrooms larger than most standard hotel rooms (complete with soaking tubs, double-sinks and walk-in rain showers), you’ll definitely feel like you’ve arrived.

For a true splurge, the Hilton Bora Bora also boasts the only two-story overwater bungalow in French Polynesia: the Presidential Villa. Beyond exquisite, this suite has two huge floors with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, along with lower and upper sundecks with stunning ocean vistas. A private spa area is located on the top floor. Not surprisingly, it is a favorite among celebrities and has been a getaway for a number of A-listers, including the Kardashians, Dennis Quaid, and rocker Tommy Lee, to name a few.

And for those who believe they’ve been properly

kicked back and enjoyed Bloody Mary’s cool island vibe.

Tikehau For a more rustic adventure amidst unspoiled, pale pink sand beaches, a visit to the small atoll of Tikehau is an idyllic destination for romantic seclusion. The remote Pearl Beach resort features one open-air restaurant with Tahitian fare, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The exotic Pearl Beach is a haven for island water activities such as kayaking, fishing and daily boat excursions, as well as world-renowned snorkeling and diving.

This exclusive resort lends itself to secluded privacy, with 13 beach bungalows and 24 over-water bungalows and suites, some with air conditioning, and some with one-of-a-kind outdoor bathrooms.

Embracing solitude is one of the popular pastimes in Tikehau, and speaking above a whisper seems jarring at times. Guests seeking an ultimate, relaxing vacation can also take advantage of the resort’s full service spa and enjoy a delightful Polynesian massage – or two. In the evening, you will be lulled to sleep by the waves dancing against the wooden pier and lapping hypnotically beneath the over-water bungalows.

image by Marla Cimini

photography by Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

Traversing the rocky beach and zigzagging through the trees for extreme bird watching, visitors can enjoy viewing these diverse tropical waterfowl in their natural habitat. spoiled, well, think again. If a visit to Bora Bora isn’t enough nirvana for you, the Hilton resort also has its own private islet, Motu Tapu, available to its guests. A quintessential island escape, Motu Tapu features babypowder white sand beaches, and ocean water so clear you can easily see the tiny fish darting around your feet as you indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime ‘toes in the water’ gourmet lunch featuring an array of fresh seafood and tapas-style salads and delicacies. Of course, after your mind-blowing gastronomic picnic, there is plenty of time to sunbathe, snorkel and frolic in the water until your boat arrives for your return trip.

The lush island of Bora Bora features other gorgeous and well-appointed resorts, and another posh option is the Bora Bora Pearl Beach resort and spa. Surrounded by tranquil natural beauty, this property is a magical respite from everyday life. With three restaurants, two bars and all the island water sports imaginable, the resort keeps guests as busy (or as relaxed) as they wish.

For spa-goers, it’s worth the trip to the Pearl Beach resort just to experience the resort’s uniquely luxe Manea outdoor spa, a secluded hideaway where guests can indulge in ultimate pampering with a variety of exclusive treatments, including a blissful couples massage.

Bora Bora is not only about unwinding, however, as this island offers an array of diving hotspots, as well as adrenaline-producing activities, such as swimming with sharks and getting up-close and personal with friendly, yet hungry, stingrays.

A visit to Bora Bora would not be complete, however, without dining on fresh seafood at the famous Bloody Mary’s restaurant. A fun, casual, outdoor experience, all fish is caught daily by the local fishermen and cooked to order. A celebrity hangout, the restaurant features a list outside of all the musicians and movie stars who have

For the avid birder bunch, or those wishing to get close-up with rare species such as the famed Red-Footed Booby, Tikehau’s Bird Island is a unique experience.

A boat ride across the sparkling turquoise sea brings guests to the tiny island for a hike. Traversing the rocky beach and zigzagging through the trees for extreme bird watching, visitors can enjoy viewing these diverse tropical waterfowl in their natural habitat.

Planning your escape French Polynesia, with its exotic feel, is actually an easier trip from the United States than one would initially think. Not much farther than Hawaii, Tahiti is a direct eight-hour flight from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui, one of a few airlines that fly from the US, offers an authentic experience while onboard, as the flight attendants enchant the passengers with attentive service and a mid-flight costume change to traditional Polynesian garb.

Visiting French Polynesia does require some initial planning, as each island has its own special attributes and distinct personality. This luxurious escape comes with a commensurate price tag, and it’s probably not for the budget-conscious. But all hope is not lost; travelers in the know will do their homework and explore available package deals, as those provide the most costeffective rates overall.

After your planning and research are complete, and you are settled in a comfy beach chair sipping a tropical libation and gazing over the vast and brilliant Pacific, you will undoubtedly feel rewarded, relaxed and reinvigorated. As ultimate vacations go, this one is aita pe’a pe’a, which in French Tahitian translates to simply… no problem.

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great expat-ations

Ryan roth art investment advisor. expat. businessman. curator.

English world traveler and businessman Ryan Roth founded Roth Management in 2009 with the goal of furthering today’s creative landscape. Focusing on modern and contemporary art, Roth Management offers a variety of services that include consulting, art fund management, asset allocation and art investment, and handles commissions, licensing and international curatorial projects.

Though just 32 years old, Roth has catapulted his career in a trajectory that is similar to his own life – in constant movement forward. Having lived around the world, Roth meshes his love of art with his love of travel by exploring cultures and propelling emerging artists into the global scene.

Roth has lived in Los Angeles, Sydney, Auckland, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Paris and now Tokyo. He serves on the board of directors for the Catalina Film Festival and is friends with some of the biggest names in art and some of the top DJ’s in the world, including his close friend Gareth Emery. In April, Roth will head to Santa Monica to co-curate a charity event called Art Works for the Cure (www.2013artworks.org).

Q&A

What was your main purpose/goal when starting Roth Management in 2009? Has that purpose/goal changed or evolved over time?

With all good things, they start with the best of intentions. When starting the company, I had an idea and thankfully it worked out well. The initial idea was for artist career guidance but, over time, we’ve had various requests which are now part of the company: art fund management, advising individuals and corporations about art investment/purchasing, advising on public works, interior design consultancy, fashion consultancy and curating. There have also been additional personal requests for charity support and lecturing on the ‘business of art’.

It’s been rewarding, both with the artists we work with and the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve made a life for myself from that idea – a life I feel very privileged to have and one I truly enjoy.

Tell us a little about your background.

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Ah … well that could be a very interesting tale to tell, but let’s keep it simple. I studied psychology and law, but had no real interest in taking it any further, so I took some time to travel and discover/decide what I wanted.

I loved art, design and travel and, when I started traveling, I gained a thirst for it. Picking up a backpack

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and traveling around the world gave me a great deal of real life experience, seeing the world and its various cultures. Art, design, food and other cultures seemed to replace other interests I had as a kid. I ended up living in Paris, Tokyo, L.A., Sydney, Bangkok, Auckland and London, and I traveled to some of the most interesting and remote places like Papua New Guinea.

As an expat many times over, how do you maintain your sense of identity when regularly changing your surroundings?

Our identity is always changing. We are different with our family than we are with our childhood friends and our business associates or significant others. When I talk with people I grew up with, sometimes it’s hard to associate; when you’ve been out of the country for so long, some feel some sense of distance, but with a few close friends I still stay in touch. One of my childhood friends is Gareth Emery, who travels more than I do, DJ’ing all over the world, but we meet up from time to time and the last time was in L.A., so it’s helpful to have a few friends who experience something of what I do.

Sailing and adventure sports have also helped give me something else that I take with me wherever I go. Snow boarding in New Zealand, Canada or Japan is different but the same and I just got back from Hakuba-Happo,

GLOBAL INFLUENCERS

inspiring individuals taking the world by storm

Ryan Roth, Roth Management GlobalFounder Living of Magazine 29

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short breaks from time to time really helps me relax, be myself and adjust to whatever country I’m in.

Work is work and if you can’t enjoy yourself, it takes away the very best life has to offer.

In addition to managing art funds for private individuals/companies and acting as an art investment advisor, you also help artists advance their careers. Can you tell us a bit about one or two of the artists you’ve worked with?

I’d love to. Firstly, I’d like to talk about Minjae Lee (Grenomj) who was the first young artist I started working with. He is an exceptionally talented artist who wanted to focus on making art. So we talked about it and decided to work together.

He’s now a full-time artist, living in (I think) a penthouse-style loft space, surrounded by windows with great lighting. While he creates, my company handles everything else.

With licensing requests, interviews, fan mail, social media, commissions and posting limited edition prints, he would have had very little time to ever create art, and creating art is not like a 9-5 job … you can’t just turn it on. It takes time and it’s hard to keep to deadlines, so I work closely with the artists to make sure we handle all the elements that can distract them from creating – things that take a little fun away from making art.

Another artist is 281 Anti Nuke, based in Japan.

He is a controversial street artist who was targeted by a right wing group recently. It was my first priority to make sure his identity was very hard to find, to make sure he was protected … then to gain him some exposure, which happened in Rolling Stones magazine, The Economist, The Financial Times,

last page and this page: images by Yuki Matsumura - Courtesy of Roth Management

which had some of the best powder I’ve seen in years, and I’m looking forward to going back in a few years.

I’d recommend staying at Hakuba Onsen Ryokan SHIROUMA-SO (www.shiroumaso.com), home of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Soaking in the outside Onsen (hot springs), with mountain views, snow falling all around you and having something nice and cool to drink in your hand is something very special.

I also read BBC News and watch Al Jazeera; it helps to keep me informed, and listening to British accents also helps.

And lastly it would be the expat community; when going to a new country, I’ve been very fortunate to have been welcomed into a few Rugby or Cricket teams and the lads have always been helpful. When I lived for a summer in Santa Monica, CA, I used to play beach Rugby with the Santa Monica Beach Boks, a good mix of Brits, Kiwis, Saffas, Aussies and Americans; some retired internationals like Marc Stcherbina and others all helped to give me some sense of regular life, even if everything else changes around me. I’d always recommended anyone who plays Rugby to go down for a few games if you move to Los Angeles; it’s just beautiful to play for the last two to three hours of daylight on the beach, sun setting over the Malibu Mountains.

In general, I think part of my own identity is adventure, travel and experiencing new cultures. It’s helped me grow into the man I am today and having

The Wall Street Journal and even the French news network Channel 24, which interviewed him, with the main point being to gain exposure for his messages. We just now agreed on the details of a documentary to be filmed about him, which is very exciting and will really help with the direction of his career. His work was actually featured in Ridley Scott’s Life in a Day movie, as a day in Japan, which is great to know that someone like Ridley knows about this artist and decided to feature him in such an interesting and culturally significant movie.

You plan to open one or two new galleries in 2013/14. Can you give us any information on that, and will your own personal artwork be exhibited there?

an online rating and review system, allowing travel service providers to improve services, customers to be charged lower rates, and service providers, no matter what size they are, to be on the same marketing footing as any other company. Service and value for money seems to be a lost concept for many companies, relying rather on spending huge sums on marketing. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather pay a family-run tour company half the money I would a corporate tour company that will spend most of the money I pay them on marketing.

We have three major tourism authorities supporting the project, with one of them saying, “It’s going to help so many family-run businesses and

The gallery locations I’m looking at are Tokyo, London, Paris, Sydney, Hong Kong and L.A. Right now it’s all early stages but moving in the right direction, with 2014 being a timeframe to choose the right city or cities.

My own personal artwork, which includes large mixed media sculptural pieces focusing on the lack of modern connection in our society, will not be available for viewing for two to three years. I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I read that 47 people died in a bus catastrophe, 343 people died when a ferry sank, or about bomb attacks in Nigeria or the civil war in Syria, I’ve become numb to it all. I listen and say ‘how sad that was’ and then I carry on with my day, never to think about it again. We go to war, but we have no sense of this tragic event, like we did for WWI, WWII or the Vietnam War. We hear about millions of people dying of starvation and change the channel while we eat whatever we like. I want to bring back human compassion and empathy, to bring back our sense of connection, and the artworks I plan will hopefully go a little way towards that.

images by Yuki Matsumura - Courtesy of Roth Management

Do you plan to continue living around the world (if so, where) or do you think someday you’ll settle in one place (if so, where)?

When I find the right place, of course.

Right now I’m 32, so maybe my views will change at 42, but living in different countries is much easier than it was in 1913. Back then, being British, I think my only options would have been to join the Army, Navy or go into politics and be stationed in part of the empire. These days, with the Internet, cell phones and airlines, you’re able to really see the world. Maybe I read too much as a child, but I still have this sense of adventure, of finding a place to call home.

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming travel company?

I came up with the idea years ago and I think it will launch this year. Basically it’s Global Living Magazine

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As a successful businessman, how do you balance your personal and business life?

It’s not rare for me to pull 20-hour days, but then I can take a day or two off. I could be in meetings

Having a break from work and just spending some time with good people makes everything a lot better. You need to have a quality of life that you personally enjoy. If you don't, you will quickly burn out.

all day, talking on the phone or behind the trusty MacBook Pro. But then I could also be snowboarding in Big Bear or some stunning location in Japan (just beautiful scenery), going to an Onsen, relaxing with friends around a campfire at the beach in Santa Monica, playing beach rugby, eating some Kiri and watching a movie or cooking up a storm. Well, maybe less of a storm and more of a light breeze! I know I work a great deal, but I also take time off when I can. It’s not like I’m working for someone else and, what a great deal of people do not realize is that those of us who have our own companies enjoy what we do a great deal of the time, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s work or it’s just fun.is off the ground.

What advice do you have for an expat looking to start a business overseas?

If there were to be one thing, I’d say to make sure you spend time building a personal life as well as your business.

Having a break from work and just spending some time with good people makes everything a lot better. You need to have a quality of life that you personally enjoy. If you don’t, you will quickly burn out.

I’d also suggest experiencing local customs and the culture, even if you feel it’s oldfashioned. You can have some of the best experiences if you just go with the flow – a bone dance in Japan, Moon Party in Thailand, beach party in California … and always look at New Year’s Eve as something special; it’s universal. I’ve been very fortunate to experience New Year’s Eve in L.A., Vancouver, Tokyo, Sydney, London, Paris and Phuket. All of those experiences were fantastic – memories I will keep for a lifetime.

For more information on Ryan or Roth Management, visit www.roth-mgmt.com

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image by Yuki Matsumura - Courtesy of Roth Management

have a knock-on effect, sending more kids to school, because of the additional income.” When I heard that, I’m the first to admit, I never thought about the real-life effects those families will receive. I knew about it affecting families positively, but I never imagined it would affect people in such real ways… food on the tables, shoes on your feet, etc.

An airline said of the project, “It’s amazing,” and when your first pitch meeting is to an international airline and a major tourism authority, with video conference linked in from two other countries, it makes you feel you’re onto something special.

Luckily, I’m building up a great team around me to get this off the ground.

global influencer Breaking into Hollywood isn’t easy, but British-born, multilingual actress Alice Amter has proven time and again she has what it takes. The self-described ‘international woman of mystery’ uses her ambiguous ethnic appearance and skill as a chameleon to convincingly portray a wide range of characters on both the big and small screens. Her first job in television was opposite George Clooney in his final two episodes of the mega-hit medical drama E.R., followed by a slew of roles on popular TV shows opposite the likes of Amy Brenneman, Janine Turner, Brad Garrett, Stephen Dorff and Christina Hendricks.

Simultaneously she broke into the film industry with appearances in several films with Hollywood’s A-list stars, such as Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl and Vin Diesel in A Man Apart, demonstrating her ability to be equally adept at both comedy and drama.

Continuing to garner notoriety for being one of the most versatile actresses in the industry, Amter can be frequently seen playing the hilarious Mrs. Koothrappali in the award-winning CBS TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Currently residing in the U.S., Amter has lived on three continents and says she has always dreamed of having homes in multiple places all over the world so she can be a truly global citizen.

Actress: alice Amter

Q&A images courtesy of London Flair PR

Tell us a little about your background.

Well, I was born and raised in England, in the Midlands. I lived in Berlin and the south of France as a student and then moved to Tokyo, Japan before I had officially graduated from university. After living and working in Tokyo and traveling around Asia for a bit, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my childhood dream of being an actress.

Has your recurring role on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which was recently nominated for a Golden Globe, changed or advanced your career trajectories or opportunities in Hollywood?

I don’t know, really. I still have to audition for most things, especially as I’m versatile (playing an East Indian mom is just one of the things I can do), but for some projects I get direct offers, which is nice. If anything, being part of a show that is so popular means I have a bit more status within the industry and

definitely a lot more interaction with fans. I get more fan mail now.

As an expat, how do you maintain your sense of identity when regularly changing your surroundings?

Well, my identity was never really that attached to my immediate surroundings, especially growing up. I am not a typical ‘Brummie’ for example … more of an urban gypsy, living from one place to the next, laying down roots Global Living Magazine

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Having been in productions alongside A-list celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Brad Garrett, George Clooney and now the cast of The Big Bang Theory, what has been a highlight moment in your career?

Right now there have been several … having the paparazzi scream my name in the same sentence as Vin Diesel’s on the red carpet premiere of A Man Apart; being introduced to Brad Pitt by his then-wife Jennifer Aniston on the set of The Good Girl; having the phone ring off the hook right after I appeared on TV screen opposite George Clooney in E.R.; listening to Nina Tassler (President of CBS) and Peter Roth (President of Warner Bros TV) tell all the cast and crew of The Big Bang Theory what a great job we had done – at the 100th Episode Celebration Party.

Can you give us any insider behind-the-scenes stories from The Big Bang Theory?

I wish I could, but I can’t!

Everyone is very professional.

What role was the most challenging for you to play?

That would be playing a really distraught, worn-out East Indian mom in a TV show called The Cleaner, opposite Benjamin Bratt. I looked awful and had to speak Hindi, which I have no knowledge of, and I was desperately trying to stay focused, do the role in the pouring rain, dressed in a sari, all the while staring up at one of the most handsome men I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. I found it really distracting and remember thinking, ”This is just not fair.”

What role was the most memorable and enjoyable for you to play?

I loved playing the assassin in A Man Apart; although it was a small role, I got to play the 34

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I am not a typical ‘Brummie’... more of an urban gypsy, living from one place to the next, laying down roots for a while, absorbing the culture and customs of the environment I currently live in.

tough chick and shoot a gun and be wrestled to the ground. I love all the physical demands of a role like that; you train, you learn weaponry, do some kickboxing, etc. By the time I auditioned I felt invincible!

Where do you consider ‘home’?

How do you define your sense of home, considering you have lived in numerous places?

Since I spend so much time in Los Angeles, that is my home in terms of familiarity, and I love the sense of community that exists there within the entertainment industry and among actors. I was recently in New Jersey and New York City and fell in love with both places, so I could definitely see myself living there. There’s so much to see and do on the East Coast; I love it. I’ve always dreamed of having homes in multiple places all over the world, so I can be a truly global citizen.

What acting role would you love to get in the future? Who would you like to work with?

Well, I always wanted to play Cleopatra, because I feel quite an affinity to her. Benazir Bhutto in a contemporary political drama is another one. I’d also love to play a courtesan in some kind of sweeping European period piece and I have yet to play a witch or a vampire, or even a cop, even though I get told I look like one! I am a big fan of Rob Marshall, Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, David Ayer, Paul Greengrass and Ben Affleck.

Leading men: Denzel Washington, Liam Neeson, Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio, to name a few.

What advice do you have for aspiring expat actors looking to break into Hollywood?

There are no shortcuts. Come prepared to work your butt off.

Don’t give up. Make the most out of your downtime. Smile – it works much better here than a frown.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Apparently in five years I will have my own empire, and I’ll be fine with that!

image courtesy of London Flair PR

for a while, absorbing the culture and customs of the environment I currently live in. The way I speak may change and I might adopt a few local customs or even a new language, but fundamentally I don’t change; ask anyone that has known me for any length of time.

global influencer

Alex Theophanous is the founder and CEO of AlexandAlexa.com, a global style destination for kids, offering over 200 premium brands spanning fashion, toys, sports and lifestyle. Launched in 2007 by Alex and his wife Alexa Till, AlexandAlexa is a global player in the online shopping world, with a thriving customer base in over 100 countries. Showcasing the best in designer fashion, AlexandAlexa features collections from Burberry, Stella McCartney Kids, Missoni and more, alongside leading brands such as Marni and Roskanda Ilincic.

This March, AlexandAlexa will join forces with Kids Company to present the first ever Global Kids Fashion Week (GKFW), which will include established designers as well as emerging names. As a finale to fashion week season, GKFW will include runway shows, performances, workshops from the V&A Museum of Childhood, an interactive bloggers lounge, informative exhibitions and playful activities over the three-day schedule. All ticket sale proceeds to the public show will be donated to the Kids Company Charity.

CEO:Alex Theophanous

Q&A

What was the inspiration to start AlexandAlexa.com?

image courtesy of AlexandAlexa.com

My wife and I have two young boys and, while we loved dressing them in stylish, fun clothes, we dreaded shopping days in London on busy weekends with the children. As regular online shoppers for ourselves, in 2007 we identified a gap in the market for a premium children’s online store, and the AlexandAlexa brand was born! We wanted to give fellow parents access to the world’s best kids’ brands without having to hit a high street.

In your opinion, how has the global perspective on children’s fashion changed over the past few years?

When AlexandAlexa launched five years ago, media interest around children’s fashion was limited to a few major premium designers. Since then, the category has evolved into an innovative, playful and creative industry, which deserves its own spotlight. Each year even more mainline designers are crafting stand-alone kids’

collections, there are exciting new brands on the scene and so many stories to tell around the products and their heritage. This is the perfect time to introduce a children’s style event to the international fashion week schedule.

Where do you think children’s fashion is heading in terms of trends and designers?

The great element of designer kids’ fashion is that it’s playful and child-friendly. This industry is not just about taking an adult design and sizing it down into a ‘mini me’ – designers such as Stella McCartney and Paul Smith craft amazing pieces that are perfect for little style-setters, with fun details, nostalgic prints and graphics, and little stories weaved into the products to make them more than just clothes.

Can you name three essential children’s fashion items that you’d recommend for a parent looking to stylize their child’s wardrobe?

For girls, a fabulous party dress is a great investment; we love French designer Suzanne Ermann’s frothy tulle

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Alexa Till and Alex Theophanous (LEFT) and Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjhat (RIGHT) at the launch of Global Kids Fashion Week.

What is your ‘must have’ fashion item for your children when traveling?

A Trunki! These ingenious suitcases have a character of their own and, not only can your child pack their holiday clothes inside, they can also ride on the top and be pulled along by mom and dad in the airport!

As a successful business duo, how do you and your wife balance work and family life?

Alexa and I always make sure we are back for dinner together, and our weekends together are precious. Of course, it's a busy family, with two gregarious boys under eight years old. But we love the buzz of a busy house, and have a social and open door attitude to friends and family.

Nine pm, most nights, we stretch out on the sofa and watch a movie together with a secret snack (dark chocolate for me!).

Can you tell us a bit about the upcoming Global Kids Fashion Week, i.e. how did you get involved, what can we expect?

AlexandAlexa is the major sponsor and organizer of the

event, alongside our additional partners the V&A Museum of Childhood and charity Kids Company. It’s a huge global event and we’re in the process of confirming the official schedule, including designer runway shows for media, our public fashion show, and the exciting workshops, panel discussions and blogger activities.

This debut event will shine the spotlight on children’s style from March 18 to 20, 2013 in the very stylish location of the Freemason’s Hall in Holborn, shortly after the international runway show circuit. Like its adult counterpart, Global Kids Fashion week will preview Autumn Winter collections from established fashion houses and London labels soon to be announced, as well as emerging up-and-coming designers. Global Kids Fashion Week has been created as a fun finale to the fashion week season and has a global reach; we have secured international guests and aim to put children’s fashion on the map worldwide.

The fashion world is buzzing since it was confirmed that The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are expecting their first child. If you had to select an outfit for the baby for his/her first public appearance, what would it be?

Something understated and chic, in the style of Kate herself: U.K. designer Rachel Riley has a beautiful babygrow (onesie) with a nostalgic blackberry print; French brand Tartine et Chocolat has very stylish and classic baby basics; and British brand Burberry has a Royalworthy range of baby outfits and shoes fit for a future king or queen!

Visit AlexandAlexa.com for more information.

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image courtesy of AlexandAlexa.com

creations, or for something more edgy, London designerof-the-moment Roksanda Ilincic has recently branched out into girls’ dresses. We were so excited to find out that Levi’s now creates 501s in baby sizes – it’s never too early to introduce your child to quality denim! And for boys, a stylish shirt can be dressed up for social gatherings or down with jeans for a casual day out. Paul Smith Junior creates beautifully detailed shirts with whimsical prints.

EXPATRIATE LIFESTYLE expat adventures around the world

Repatriation:

The Good, The Bad & The Bit in the Middle

By Apple Gidley

image copyright Masson, 2013 used under license from Shutterstock.

M

uch is written about the expatriate bubble, that freefloating space in which many of those back home, and some on location, believe life abroad to be.

Nothing is normal to new expatriates and subsequent visitors. Dazed from the rigors of travel and jet lag, they find themselves relaxing into an airy environment, seemingly free from routine tribulations and the humdrum existence of ‘home’ until the new routines become ordinary too.

What the expatriate, and the visitor, sometimes forget is that with every new location comes a new norm with attending new frustrations and disappointments.

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Then suddenly, or so it seems, after two or twenty years in that foreign place known as ‘abroad’, the call home is sounded. Repatriation. To restore a person to his own country. If that definition from the Oxford English Dictionary is taken as the authoritative version, then technically I have repatriated a number of times.

Let me explain. I left London, England at the end of June 1958, precisely one month after my birth. I, along with my mother, joined my father in Nigeria, West Africa where we stayed for six years. Following independence we returned to England, that being my father’s home Muscle memory country, before takes us to the old familiar expatriating places but our a few months memories do not later to South East Asia. always gel with Many years the new actuality, later, I chose and it is most to finish uncomfortable. my formal education in London, and then returned there again after 18 months spent working in Papua New Guinea. Each repatriation, whether as a girl or a woman, has been a challenge – a challenge I am glad I have had, if only to prove to myself that, while I love London and in many ways consider myself British, I do not ever truly fit.

Is that because I did not spend a significant amount of time there as a child? My husband, who was brought up in the English countryside, left at age 23 to see the rest of the world and, much as he has happy childhood memories, no longer fits in that green and pleasant land either. A wife, two children and eight countries have molded him, and us, into global misfits.

Upon my husband’s first and only repatriation, after two years as a VSO (the British equivalent of the Peace Corps) in a Pacific island country, his sense of dislocation was immense. His view of the world had grown, but those of many of his old friends had remained static and they failed to understand why his interest in the local rugby game was not all-encompassing. We feel as if home has changed, but really it is us who have changed and grown to incorporate – often without realizing – elements of our lives abroad.

And that’s the rub. We do not fit anywhere with complete compatibility; we have become global nomads. Happy 38

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to pack our bags and relocate to wherever, within the bounds of reasonableness, we are asked to go. I draw the line at either Poles, but there are few countries in between that I would not be prepared to live and learn in. Practically, though, there comes a time when repatriation is required, either by work, retirement or familial obligations, and it can be a bumpy phase.

Travel writer and philosopher, Pico Iyer writes in Falling Off the Map, “Loneliness and solitude, remoteness and seclusion, are many worlds apart… Yet all Lonely Places have something in common, if only the fact that all are marching to the beat of a different satellite drummer.”

And that is how we sometimes feel on repatriation. Lonely. Our tune, our beat, is not the same as the one we heard when we first expatriated, or indeed the one we marched to in subsequent countries not our own. We believe we ought to slot straight back into the remembered norms. Muscle memory takes us to the old familiar places but our memories do not always gel with the new actuality, and it is most uncomfortable. We add guilt to the mix when we beat ourselves up over our unhappiness, discontent and, yes, loneliness.

After the initial delight of welcoming us back ‘home’, our families, wherever they are, strive to help us adapt but, deep down, they don’t really understand why we are struggling to fit back into the fold.

“It’s home, for goodness sake,” they feel,“ so what is the problem?” In The Death of the Hired Man, Robert Frost says, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” It is not, however, always a snug fit; gaps have either appeared in our expectations of home or, conversely, the fit is too snug, and therefore restrictive.

Employment is sometimes the overriding factor in our repatriation, although we are not always helped by the organization that sent us overseas in the first place. Hinted-at promises of career advancement at the end of two, five, or even ten years abroad often do not eventuate. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ takes on a whole new poignancy whether through personnel changes, a company merger, or maybe another reorganization that leaves you, the expatriate, on the fringes. Discontent swells each month with the utility bills we have grown unused to landing through our letterbox and we long for the freedoms and perks of ‘abroad’.

Along with the frustrations of repatriation comes the realization that our social lives often change. Gone are the invitations to consular balls, the dinners at plush restaurants on someone else’s dime,

and the sun or ski vacations that we had begun to take for granted. In their place are barbeques with neighbors, for example, who look at us a little strangely when we inadvertently mention a remembered mumu or churrascaria (methods of cooking meat from opposite sides of the world, one in Papua New Guinea and the other in Brazil).

Our relationships change as well, going from a social calendar filled with independent activities and events to which we are chauffeured, to constant companionship with a spouse who seems to have changed during the move ‘home’.

The fun-loving adventurer is now eager to hug the recliner at the weekend, embroiled in the baseball, basketball and football, but not so eager to chase a ball himself.The other half of the partnership wrestles with the forgotten chores of domesticity, and

image copyright Masson, 2013 used under license from Shutterstock.

Along with the frustrations of repatriation comes the realization that our social lives often change. Gone are the invitations to consular balls, the dinners at plush restaurants on someone else’s dime, and the sun or ski vacations that we had begun to take for granted.

resents the newspaper left on the dining table – along with the crumbs.

Looking beyond the mundane that appears to engulf us when we repatriate, and treating the repatriation as another adventure, as we did our global relocations, helps with the return to the old but now unfamiliar boundaries in which we live. The same tools we learned to use so successfully in expatriation need to be used to repatriate. It takes time to adapt, just as it took time to adjust to living in a foreign country. We might be back in our home country, but we are looking at it through a different cultural lens now and have to allow the same adjustment period as when we

expatriated. We have to find something that anchors us, just as we did overseas.

Repatriation and/or retirement can be a time of renewal. Renewal of hobbies long forgotten in the clutter of boxes packed and unpacked around the world. Renewal of shared interests – the ones shelved in the chaos of relocation and the absorption of new cultures.

While we will probably never march to exactly the same beat as those who have never lived overseas, we will find, with patience, adaptability and a dash of curiosity, that our new lives back in our old lives can indeed be rewarding. A different drum maybe, but still a good beat that will drive the loneliness away.

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Khawar Ashraf Global Living Magazine

EXPATS giving

back ASIA & The AMERICAs Part one of three-Part series By anne o'connell

When a person with an altruistic nature becomes an expat and works, lives or retires in a country other than his or her birthplace, their giving nature generally follows right along with them. It’s a characteristic that is woven throughout the very fiber of their being.

left page: image provided by Khawar Ashraf

P

hilanthropy and volunteerism is alive and well in the expat community throughout the world. When delving into expat research and asking the question, “How do you get settled into expat life?” a large majority often answer, “By volunteering.”

Intercultural communications expert and blogger, Maria Foley (www.IwasanExpatWife.com) confirms that people with a history of volunteering will continue to do so as expats.

“I also find that people who have never considered volunteering before moving abroad will give it a try once they become expats,” Foley continued.

She lists several reasons why expats are motivated to become involved in charities while living abroad: •The change of circumstance makes them hyperaware of differences between the home and host cultures and might open their eyes to situations they never noticed back home.

•If they move to a developing country, they find it hard to ignore the need that stares them in the face every day.

•The feeling of starting a new chapter in

their lives prompts them to try something new.

•There's sometimes a bit of subtle (or not so subtle) peer pressure at play within the expat spouse community to help the less fortunate.

No matter what continent an expat’s adopted home is on, the opportunities to give back are not difficult to find.

Hayley Mill, a professional fundraiser from Queensland, Australia, felt a pull to Asia and wanted to find a charity that could benefit from her skills and expertise. She became an expat with the express purpose of giving back.

“I have always had a love of South East Asia, and Thailand in particular,” said Mill. “I started looking around for a charity and came across Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation (www.phukethasbeengoodtous.org). Coming from a charity background at home, I was particularly picky with the charity I chose.”

The Foundation was established in 2004, initially to provide English-language courses for the orphans of the Tsunami, thereby giving them the tools necessary to become employed in Phuket’s huge tourism industry. It has since evolved to include more than 900 children in Global Living Magazine

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"Fundraising is my passion, so I would love to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program while I am here"

every book I was going to read! While I don’t remember how much I raised, I remember that I enjoyed the experience.”

She laments that the infrastructure for charities isn’t as advanced in Asia as it is in Australia. Not being a registered charity in Australia, the UK, US or Canada severely limits a charity’s ability to do things such as online fundraising and applying for grants, but Mill is determined to find creative ways to help the Foundation reach its fundraising goals.

On the other side of the world, in Toronto, Canada, expat Khawar Ashraf has chosen the Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca) and the environment

Khawar Ashraf on a segway for Clean Air Commute.

top: image provided by Hayley Mill; bottom: image provided by Khawar Ashraf

two government schools. Mill has taken a leave of absence from her job as Head of Fundraising for Cancer Council Queensland to assist the Foundation in developing a sustainable fundraising campaign.

“Technically, I was due to be with the Foundation for six months; however, I am already thinking about extending,” said Mill who is donating her time and expertise.

The organization couldn’t operate without its volunteers. “My volunteer list has 103 names on it,” says Angela McNoe from New Zealand, who is the volunteer coordinator for the Foundation.

“Many are once-in-a-while volunteers, or people that provide transport, birthday party support and entertainment, photography, PR, translation, graphic design and special outings such as elephant trekking for students who have achieved.”

Currently the Foundation has six full-time volunteers who have committed to a six-month contract. There are also about 20 expats who are regular volunteers who help every week in the reading and after-school programs, or work as teaching assistants or provide other administrative support, along with the odd tourist who pops in to help out for a day or two.

The role that Mill is filling is critical for the long-term survival of the charity.

“Fundraising is my passion, so I would love to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program while I am here,” said Mill. “I think it is so important that people understand where their money is going, and why it is so important to give. If people give, we really can make a difference to the lives of these children.”

No matter how rewarding the work is, it doesn’t come without challenges.

“Fundraising is still in its infancy here in Phuket, so people can be reluctant to give. I want to break down these barriers by showing people the benefits of donating,” Mill emphasized.

A community volunteer since childhood, Mill remembers her first charity event. “I did the MS Read-a-thon when I was in primary school.

I remember asking people for donations for

image provided by Hayley Mill

Hayley Mill in Phuket, Thailand.

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Khawar Ashraf (BOTTOM RIGHT) supporting Clean Air Commute

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muggers) ambushing you on the street like you do back home,” said Ashraf. “It’s more personal than making an online payment to a big-name charity. Also, in high schools here (Canada), it’s compulsory for all students to complete a minimum amount of voluntary activity during the school year, the idea being that this encourages an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities.”

Both Mill and Ashraf are quite modest about their charitable contributions, preferring to reflect more on what they get out of giving back.

“I get a greater sense of self-worth and achievement from giving rather than receiving,” said Ashraf. “Also, I’m a social person, and doing things for others is a great way of socializing and meeting new people.”

“I love what I do, and I get enjoyment from seeing people’s faces when we have made a difference in their lives,” said Mill.

“Back home it is talking to cancer patients about how our services have helped them, and in Phuket it is looking into the faces of the children we teach and seeing the hope they have.”

After several years as an expat, Ashraf believes that “the need for charity is the same wherever you are. Location is irrelevant; suffering is everywhere. That aside, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.”

For more information on the charities that Mill and Ashraf volunteer for, or to find out how to get involved or make a donation, visit: www.phukethasbeengoodtous.org www.heartandstroke.com www.cleanaircommute.ca.

image provided by Khawar Ashraf

as the recipients of his altruistic initiatives.

Ashraf was born on a farm in Pakistan about a hundred miles southwest of Lahore in a town called Sahiwal, and moved to Yorkshire in the United Kingdom with his mother and siblings when he was just a toddler. His father worked abroad and moved back and forth between Libya and his farm in Pakistan.

A civil engineer, Ashraf works full-time as a project manager in traffic and transportation with AECOM. It was his particular area of expertise that drew him to Canada.

“Canada is increasingly looking to implement more sustainable transport and is a regular host president of Canada East to give up his to high-profile, multi-national sporting parking space for a week. It was auctioned events,” said Ashraf. “Think Winter off and the money was also donated to Olympics, Vancouver, 2010, and the Pan the Heart & Stroke Foundation. In 2012 Am games scheduled for Toronto in 2015. he also cycled in the Durham Waterfront It was an opportunity too good to miss.”

Community Ride – “ Ride with the Mayor” It sounds like a busy job, but Ashraf – to benefit the United Way. still finds time to give back to the “I chose these events because I’ve always community. He recalls how he developed enjoyed cycling,” said Ashraf. “When I his enthusiasm for volunteering. arrived in Canada, my colleagues were “That was at high school in Scotland; stunned when I cycled to work through I was about 17,” said Ashraf. “It was a snow and ice. Cycling in Canada was a charity concert featuring local bands that totally different experience from cycling I helped to organize through the school. in the U.K. Here, many motorists believe I can’t remember what we were raising cyclists have no place on the road, and money for – it may have been Live Aid, this belief is supported by a lack of but I can’t be sure. I also did a charity cycle/pedestrian-friendly run for Radio Lollipop “the need for facilities. I took on the role (hospital radio) at around the same time.” charity is the of Smart Commute Durham Coordinator That passion was same wherever Workplace for Whitby to promote and rekindled early on in his professional life before you are. Location encourage more sustainable is irrelevant; transport methods to and he wound up in Canada. from work.”

“An early career suffering is has organized events experience gave me the everywhere." likeAshraf Clean Air Commute, thrill of being involved where he encouraged all staff in his office in something that made a real difference at to walk, bike, car-pool or take public a community level. Edinburgh is a World transport to work for a fixed period.

Heritage city; its multi-storied residences He's also done a lot to contribute to the and narrow cobbled streets made refuse community where he and his family management difficult,” he recalled. “In temporarily reside. His next project is my post at City of Edinburgh Council, the ScotiaBank Toronto Waterfront I worked on a solution to bring waste Marathon, which raised more than $4 containerization and recycling into the million for 181 local charities in 2012. community while minimizing the impact He also plans to continue his annual on its historical authenticity. It still gives commitment to the bike rides and Clean me a buzz whenever I visit the city and Air Commute. see the system continuing to function, and Ashraf offers some interesting insights expanding.” on how charities differ between his home During his time in Canada, he has and adoptive countries. participated twice in Becel Heart & “Giving back is more hands-on and part Stroke Ride for Life (2011/2012). He also of daily life here. It’s not reactive/disasterconvinced his company’s executive vice driven and you don’t get chuggers (charity

image copyright Solarseven, 2013 used under license from Shutterstock.

5 secrets of successful

relocation

by Aisha Ashraf “Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?”

Gimli, in Lord of the Rings, would have made a great expat – adventurous, well-informed and enthusiastic. While certainty of death definitely wasn’t a feature of expat life when I signed up for it, the odds of a successful relocation have long been an issue for expats and employers alike.

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[Being an expat] turns your life upside down and teaches you things about yourself that you never knew existed. teaches you things about yourself that you never knew existed.

So what increases the chances of a successful relocation?

When you’re up against such intimidating odds, you need every advantage you can leverage. Here are five ways you can increase your chances of success. All of them can be implemented before you even leave for the airport: Research – Familiarize yourself with as much as possible before you go – not only about your destination but about the wider issues expats commonly face, like how to stay in touch with family and friends, negotiating your employment package (what to ask for and what to expect, workplace culture, the ins and outs of pensions, tax and insurance), and the attitude towards foreigners in the host country.

Communication – Don’t bottle things up under the illusion of staying strong for one another; it only leads to resentment and loneliness. Discuss everything. Sharing experiences and feelings will make you stronger as a unit and bring you closer together. Conversely, don’t view expatriation as a panacea for a dying relationship or emotional problems; the stresses will only make existing issues worse.

Choice – Never expatriate to make someone else happy. Deliberate your decision carefully and deliver a solid commitment. Whenever times were tough, reminding myself it was my decision made me feel less impotent and more determined to make it work. Taking responsibility for your circumstances is empowering. It’s also worth knowing that many postings extend beyond the original timeframe, so telling yourself, “It’s only for three years,” is hollow reassurance if you feel your life is on hold.

Personality – Expats must be able to adapt to stressful situations. Both biological and social factors contribute to personality development so, to some extent, being naturally resilient is out of our control but, research has demonstrated that emotional resilience can be learned or improved upon no matter what level we’re born with. Self-awareness, optimism, perseverance, perspective, a sense of humor and the ability to handle difficult emotions are all key elements of emotional resilience. support – Recognize the value of support. Speak to other expats and repats; chances are they’ll welcome an opportunity to give you the benefit of their experience (and reminisce). The same applies once you relocate. People are usually happy to help a newcomer. Overcome pride or shyness and reach out. Look for groups to join, throw yourself into interests and pursuits, and be proactive in forging new friendships among nationals as well as fellow expats. Whether or not they become friends for life, you’ll gain insight into common expat concerns and boost your confidence and self-awareness. Despite reading about culture shock, I still blamed myself for perceived shortcomings in the first six months of relocation. It wasn’t until I began reading blogs by other expats that I realized the issues I was experiencing were universal.

You don’t have to have Olympic-style emotions to expatriate successfully. In my own life, I manage Borderline Personality Disorder, but it hasn’t stopped me from embracing the challenge of relocation. If nothing else I’ve said here gives you encouragement … that should!

image copyright iQoncept, 2013 used under license from Shutterstock.

E

xpatriate life has a reputation for glamour and glitz; exotic locations, subsidized living and foreign customs combine to inspire awe and envy in those enjoying a more settled existence.

But there’s a darker side. Around 35 percent of overseas postings fail, and that figure increases in politically unstable countries or those where violence is prevalent. Almost 70 percent of expats are married and take their families with them, but what can be a source of support and comfort can also sound the death knell for an international assignment – spouse and family issues account for 90 percent of employees leaving a foreign post early.

While one partner is furthering his or her career, the other may be prohibited from legally working, or forced to accept an inferior post. Getting to grips with a new assignment can mean long hours for expatriate managers, leaving the accompanying partner to unpack and construct a whole new life single-handedly, all while dealing with unfamiliar stresses like grindingly slow bureaucracy, wayward domestic staff, or even institutionalized bribery.

Think about it for a minute; it’s a move away from all existing support networks to somewhere completely unknown, for the career development of a single family member, with little or no guarantee of a position available for them when the posting is over.

Expat life is a gamble; there are no certainties. In return for international experience, better income and a broader cultural understanding, it exacts huge sacrifice and commitment from all involved and demands a determination to roll with the punches. It turns your life upside down and

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BOOK REVIEWS

COUNTRY GUIDES compiled bY jo parfitt

In this section of Global Living Magazine, we feature five examples of good books in a specific genre. This issue we feature country guides, which come in many formats. Some are packed with practical information; others have first-hand accounts from people who have lived there too. The best combine both. The list below will make you aware that this genre has many shapes and sizes.

If you would like to suggest books for review in this section, please contact: Jo@summertimepublishing.com.

Published by XPat Media 256 pages, flexibound large format, price $39.83, also available for iPad via www.xpat.nl Now in its 13th year, this indispensable guide is the one-stop-shop for all newcomers to The Netherlands. Packed with everything you need to know from how to buy a house to how to register a business or find a school for your children, this book has it all. I used it myself when I came here eight years ago and, to be honest, I never needed any other publication or website to complement its comprehensive content. Beautifully illustrated, the pages of this book are crammed with well-written, easy to understand explanations of all the processes and bureaucracy – as well as the delights – you will encounter upon moving here. To order this book, visit: www.xpat.nl or www.hollandbooks.nl. Reviewer: Jo Parfitt

@Home in Dubai: Getting Connected Online and on the Ground

Anne O’Connell Summertime Publishing 306 pages, paperback, $19.97 print, $7.97 Kindle Packed with practical information about every single aspect of life in Dubai, this book is a must-read to ensure a smooth transition and an enjoyable stay.

It is also a joy to read as it contains many interesting short stories and amusing anecdotes from experiences both by the author and other people she interviewed. I particularly enjoyed reading the stories about the woman who was denied phone access to a joint bank account, and the lady who was told off by her driving instructor for stopping at a stop sign. This is more than a guidebook. It is a window into another culture. From visas and work permits to getting domestic help, this book will provide answers to all your questions concerning life in Dubai.

The interviews themselves make you laugh out loud, probably because we recognize ourselves and our own foibles and faux pas.

Reviewer: Rawia Liverpool

Didgeridoos and Didgeridon'ts: A Brit's Guide to Moving Your Life Down Under

Vicky Gray Summertime Publishing 200 pages, $22.99 print, $7.97 Kindle Vicky Gray has cracked the code on emigrating to Australia, and luckily for us she's willing to share! This firsthand account of her family's move from England to Oz is packed with facts, tips, stories and personal anecdotes that will help others following suit. Gray's book provides a wealth of information on topics such as visas, moving services, banking, real estate and home rental, employment, schools, health care, driving, moving with pets, local flora and fauna, entertainment, food, language and social mores. Reviewer: Linda A. Janssen, www.adventuresinexpatland.com 50

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Finding Your Feet in Chicago

Véronique Martin-Place Summertime Publishing 272 pages, paperback, $17.99 print, $7.97 Kindle You won't get lost in newcomer's fog with this down-to-earth Chicago guide in your pocket. Now you can relax, knowing that everything you need to help you and your family settle into the USA's third largest city is here. Written by an expat wife and mother, Véronique Martin-Place, you can be sure no corner of the area known fondly as ‘The Loop’ has been unexplored. Topics include schools, accommodation, social life and making the most of the Windy City. This book is great fun, written with humor and passion. It is for anyone interested in living and possibly building a house in Spain, or just in the mood for a delightful and hilarious read.

Reviewer: Jo Parfitt

Going Local in Gran Canaria

Matthew Hirtes Summertime Publishing 244 pages, $19.02 print, $7.49 Kindle Local journalist Matthew Hirtes has written a guidebook from the perspective of someone who lives on the island with his Canarian wife and three children.

He has a witty style as he provides the lowdown on how it really is to live or be on holiday there. Written for those who intend to live there and need to know about property, business and the law, this guidebook also appeals to those who want to visit the island and explore off-the-beaten track to see the real Gran Canaria – warts, festivals, food and all. Hirtes is a vegetarian, so he includes restaurants for non-carnivores too.

Reviewer: Jo Parfitt Column created by Jo Parfitt www.summertimepublishing.com www.expatbookshop.com

book cover art courtesy of listed publishers

FIVE OF THE BEST...

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