Finding Yourself as a Trailing Spouse: What to do When You Can’t Work

Being a trailing spouse can be a lonely road

Landing in a new country as an expat can be challenging enough. You need to deal with paperwork, making new friends, learning new customs and often a new language. But what do you do when you have to re-define your whole identity? If you’re a trailing spouse, this could very well be your new reality.

In Western society, we often tie our identity to our job. One of the first questions people ask when they meet is “so what do you do?” This roughly translates as “what box can I put you in, so I can make all sorts of unfounded assumptions about who you are.” Like it or not, our sense of self is often inextricably tied to our job. So what happens when we can’t work?

How to Visit the Aalsmeer Flower Auction from Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Owned by Royal FloraHolland, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in The Netherlands is the worlds largest flower distribution centre. It’s an easy day-trip from Amsterdam. We’ll show you how to get there and what to expect.

Sleep with Angels in Mechelen – Martin’s Patershof Hotel

Martin’s Patershof Hotel in a former Church

This year for Valentine’s Day, Andrew surprised me with a romantic getaway. It wasn’t to a spa. Nor was it to a cosy cottage in the countryside. For Valentine’s Day this year, we went to Mechelen and stayed overnight in a church.

You’re probably thinking, sleeping in a church doesn’t sound very romantic it all. That was my first thought when Andrew sprung his surprise on me. The church in question is, these days, known as the Martin’s Patershof Hotel. And I assure you, it was a very romantic getaway indeed.

India – A story of Obsession and Fear

This entry is part 1 of 10 in the series Incredible India

Taj Mahal, Agra, India – Forgotten Postcard

I’ve been obsessed with India for as long as I can remember. Whenever I’m asked where I want to travel, my immediate response is always ‘everywhere.’ When pressed to choose my top destination however, India is always number one on my list. Two days ago, I found out my dream of visiting India will come true in March. I have never been more excited – or terrified.

Abbey Villers in Wallonia Belgium

The Cistercian Church at Abbey Villers

Andrew and I are always on the look-out for beautiful day-trips from Brussels. For Andrew, highlights must include winding roads and ruins to explore. For me, the criteria are picturesque scenes to photograph and a garden to stroll through. At Villers Abbey (abbaye de Villers in French), in Villers-la-Ville, we found everything we were both looking for.

Home Sweet Home | Flashback

This entry is part 5 of 4 in the series Atlantic Canada

Canada will always be home.

Lately I’ve noticed some of my fellow expat bloggers writing about confusion over their sense of Home. Home becomes a difficult thing to define when you live abroad, especially if you’ve had more than one expat assignment. Expats often feel caught between two (or more worlds) but never completely a part of either of them.

Way back in 2005, I wrote a post about my own struggles to define home. Sinec then, I’ve come to realise being caught between cultures is not all bad. In fact, it can be really nice to experience a feeling of home-coming in so many different places.

I’ve been thinking about the word ‘home’ this week because I am going ‘home’ — home to Canada for a holiday.

Istebna, Poland – Our Wedding Adventure in the Silesian Beskids Mountains

We attend a Polish wedding in the village of Istebna in the stunning Silesian Beskids mountain range in southern Poland.

Coloma Rose Garden, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium

This time of year, when Belgium’s only colours are shades of grey, I can’t help but dream of the bright spring and summer days. I spend the winter months catching up on last year’s travels and planning for a burst of garden photography in spring.

Coudenberg, Former Palace of Brussels, Belgium

The current Palace Royal, Brussels, and entrance to the Coudenberg

Beneath one of its busiest squares, Brussels has a secret. As tourists dodge traffic and trams on Place Royal, darting between the Magritte Museum and the Bozar, most of them are unaware that right beneath their feet is a hidden palace – Coudenberg, the former palace of Brussels.

Once upon a time, in the middle ages, a grand palace overlooked the city of Brussels, from Coudenberg hill. These days, a new palace (and a handful of museums) sits in its place. However, the remains of Coudenberg Palace and Rue Isabelle, an ancient thoroughfare , still exist – underground.

Alison Cornford-Matheson