Living In France

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Expat liiving in the sun: should you stay or should you go?

By Elizabeth On August 24, 2010 No Comments

Deciding to move abroad and become an expat living in the sun can be a very tough decision to make. You may decide to move overseas because of your job or if you want to make a career move. Many people consider moving to a foreign country because of their family commitments. Often when people want to stay together, someone must make a sacrifice and move to another area they have not thought of before. Other's move because they want to drastically change their lives. Moving overseas can be regarded as making a fresh start in life. Too often it can be the case that people who decide on moving abroad think they can leave their mistakes back home...

However although moving overseas may seem like a new opportunity to start life afresh, take care not to forget your origins. When some people start up life overseas, they can lose their identity. It is easy to get absorbed into the culture of a brand-new place. Typically, this isn't such a big thing to worry about and can prove fun. Nonetheless, whenever you blank out your past ,you may finish up making the identical errors that you made the first time around. Recalling your memories equals re-examining every lesson that you've studied inside the large schoolroom of your life history.

Prior to you arriving at the decision regarding locating overseas, there are 3 voices you ought to take heed of:

a) Your first reaction – this, naturally, follows the response that you get prior to taking time to genuinely deliberate the dilemma.The immediate response will show your spontaneous decision. Many people have arrived at conclusions founded upon instinct. Even so, prior to you making an important life choice based on this, you should also consider other voices...

b) The feelings of other people – subsequently once you've discovered what you desire, take the time to heed to what other people think. This could be very useful in evaluating this state of affairs, because on that point perhaps there's a few matters which you may neglect to determine from your point of view. This is specially important when other's are going to be affected by your movie overseas and take on the expat lifestyle.

c) What needs to be done – your initial reaction constitutes what you want to do. After you have assessed the situation, ask yourself what needs to be done. Ask the opinion of others and analyze the demands of the current situation and see what you really need to do.

Some people might say that these things are contradicting. There’s really nothing that one can do about that. What you need to look into is finding the heart of the contradiction. The decision to move overseas is difficult enough without having multiple voices inside your head. If you find the heart of the contradiction, you will learn that there is one voice which contains all of these opinions and answers. Then you will be able to make the right decision and not regret it.

Try to think of moving abroad as a big new adventure. It's a fresh chapter in your lifetime that's awaiting to be written. You ought always to recollect that ones own life story equals to one big adventure and there are times when you'll have to take multiple risks to enjoy it. You ought as well remember that nobody could force you to do anything that you genuinely don't agree to do. In the end, the final decision to locate abroad will still be yours to make and reach your goal as an expat living in the sun.

Heat: One of the drawbacks when living in the sun

By Elizabeth On July 18, 2010 No Comments

Seems that expat life here on the French Riviera has been full of extremes this year, even the weather has been quite changeable to say the least. We had a long coldish winter, then just when we thought summer had finally come, the dreadful storm ruined all the French Riviera beaches. Now we have been hit by a heat wave since the beginning of the month, and it is beginning to take its toll.

I started to feel a little unwell, looked down and noticed my ankles were all swollen up. I checked the internet and discovered this ailment could well be due to the heat, and I searched for ways to deal with the extreme hot weather and its effects...

When temperature tops 30 and the soles of your slip-flops start to stick on the pavement, cold therapy is a necessity for summer first-aid. Whether it is ice from your freezer, a bag of frozen vegetables or a convenient commercial cold pack, ice therapy has many more uses than treating bumps and bruises.
Summer time first-aid tips for cold treatments:

Cooling heat-related health problems:
Throughout the very hot summer season months, heat tiredness and heat stroke could be a problem. Signs and symptoms of exhaustion can include light-headedness, weakness, a sense of nausea or vomiting, excessive sweating and a shallow, fast pulse. With much more serious heat stroke, the skin becomes hot and dried out, and mental confusion can happen along with a loss of consciousness. Cold packs are generally utilized to keep the entire body cool in extreme temperatures and helps to avoid heat exhaustion. Quite a few athletes cool down after a summer function by having a cold pack placed on the back of their necks. Whenever heat symptoms start to show, ice packs along with hydration should  be used to reduce the body temperature to a safe level. Also seek professional medical treatment for heat stroke as this condition could be sudden and lethal.

Bug bites.
Let's face it, insect bites are a nuisance, causing swelling, itching and sometimes painful. Icing a bite immediately will keep the bug poison from spreading to other parts from the  body, reduce swelling and inflammation, and numb the area, lessening the need to itch. Use ice therapy on mosquito, bee, spider, fire ant and centipede bites. If an allergic reaction happens or it is a significant bite, such as from the poisonous Brown Recluse Spider, immediately look for healthcare help.

Keep pets comfortable
Even pets can suffer in the summer time heat. Keeping them cool could be tricky. An ice pack wrapped in a towel or beneath a thin blanket might do the trick if they choose to snooze on top of it. Ice cubes are a cool treat that some animals enjoy. There are also commercial items made specifically for horses to ice their legs down right after a ride. Special caution ought to be taken to never use a product containing toxins or 1 that may simply break, endangering a pet if they choose it would be more fun to play with the ice pack than lay on it.
Chilling a Burn.
Obtaining too much French Riviera sun or being careless around an outside grill may result in summertime burns. For minor first degree burns caused by brief contact having a hot object, water or steam, and sunburn, cool the skin by very first holding it under running water, then apply a cold pack to numb the pain. If blistering occurs (second degree or sunburn) look for medical help.
Cool treatment for night sweats.
Hot summer time evenings can result in intense night sweats for menopausal women. A great natural approach to cooling off when woken by a wave of heat is to tuck a cold pack into the pillowcase so that it lies at the crook from the neck. Within a couple of minutes, the internal heat wave will subside, allowing for a better night's sleep.
Make certain you have at least one or two cold packs in your freezer for summertime first-aid. Chill out and be prepared!

Disclaimer: This information isn't intended as an alternative for professional health treatment or consultation. Always consult with your doctor in the event of a serious injury.

French Riviera Beaches: jellyfish warning

By Elizabeth On July 10, 2010 No Comments

When I became an expat living in the sun, the French Riviera Beaches were the big attraction, for a while.

As my first year went by, I became more aware of the dangers of the sea, especially when venturing into the ocean alone.

There are many tide changes throughout the day on the South Of France, and currents such as rip tides and undertows. You'll need to be a strong swimmer if you venture out too far and get caught up in a tide pulling you out to sea.

However recently there has become one threat that most visitors are at a total loss to deal with: jellyfish.

What's So Bad About Jellyfish?

Jellyfish are marine invertebrates having a bell-shaped, jelly-like substance enclosing their internal structure. Most species have tentacles covered with stinging cells that can stun or kill other ocean life. Most jellyfish use this stinging defense to catch prey or to defend themselves.

Most jellyfish are not very dangerous to humans, but a few are highly toxic. A recently discovered Australian species is suspected of causing two deaths there.

You may be swimming with jellyfish and never even know it. Many are tiny with unnoticeable stings. However, if you ever get caught in the stinging tentacles of a larger jellyfish, panic is likely, as this author can attest.

What To Do If Stung By A Jellyfish

Try not to panic! Thrashing will only increase the amount of stings you will receive. Next, notify someone immediately who can help you get out of the water. If you are stung by a rare and toxic jellyfish, drowning is possible, so get to the beach or on board a boat.

Seek a doctor's assistance immediately! Most people won't even know what happened to them. Only trained medical help can properly evaluate the severity of the stings and the appropriate treatment.

Most people will not seek medical help. Instead, they rely on home remedies for jellyfish stings seen on television or told to them by locals. It is a mystery why sting victims don't seek immediate medical assistance.

If you were bitten by a snake, would you wait and see what happens? Of course not - you would go to the emergency room as fast as possible! Stings or bites from any sea creature, including jellyfish, sea urchins, rays and others, should be considered the same as a snake bite and treated accordingly.

Jellyfish sting home remedies usually involve the application of human urine, a solution of meat tenderizer, or fresh water to the site of the stings.

Some of these home remedies are wrong, and will make the situation worse.

Why Most Home Remedies For Jellyfish Stings Are Wrong

The jellyfish evolved in the ocean, so it's stinging defenses are optimized for use in salt water. The use of fresh water will increase the venom injection of any stingers still stuck in the victim!

Likewise, massaging the sting area, or using alcohol, spirits, ammonia, or urine will also encourage the release of venom.

The mythical urine cure is probably the most misunderstood, yet is likely the most well-known. It was popularized on the television comedy "Friends" in the episode "The One With the Jellyfish."

How To Deactivate Jellyfish Sting Venom

If you can't get to a doctor, the first step in properly treating jellyfish stings is to deactivate the stinging cells still stuck in the victim. The following deactivation solutions may be used:

* A 5% percent acetic acid solution (available commercially as white vinegar) is the preferred method.

* Solutions of meat tenderizer, or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will neutralize any stingers that have not yet released their poison. Meat tenderizer should not be left on the skin for more than 15 minutes.

* None of these substances should be used in the eyes. In the case of stings on or near the eyes, dip a towel in the deactivating solution and dab it around the eyes, but not directly into open eyes.

* Salt water can be used if none of the above products are available.

Removing Jellyfish Stingers

After the stingers are deactivated, persons with protective clothes and gloves should carefully remove any tentacles from the victim.

Any remaining embedded stingers should then be removed. This can be done by applying shaving cream to the affected area. Carefully scrape the sting area with a sharp surface, such as a razor, a knife blade, or even a sharp plastic edge such as a credit card.

Mild skin irritation can be soothed with the use of over-the-counter antihistamines containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl (tm)).

These Treatments Are Not Substitutes For A Doctor

Always see a doctor if you are stung or bitten by a jellyfish or any other sea creature. These jellyfish sting home remedies are not meant to replace a doctor's expertise. You may wish to begin applying the proper care as first aid while waiting for the ambulance. If you do, tell the paramedics and doctor what steps you have taken.

But whatever you do when treating a victim of a jellyfish sting on the French Riviera Beaches please don't urinate on your jellyfish-stung friend. Although it makes for a funny story later, it will make your friend's pain, and humiliation, just worse.

Expat Life: Sarkozy and the Rusty Statue

By Elizabeth On June 6, 2010 No Comments

In Nice, on the French Riviera, most people would assume living as an expat there would be a lazy life enjoying the sun and trying to avoid the droves of tourists.  Far from it, life in this popular city is full of surprises and there is always something to report  about that's not always the good weather!

Last week there was an Africa-France summit hosted by President Sarkozy is hosting the Africa-France. Thirty-eight African leaders and 250 business executives were in town staying at most of the hotels along the Promenade. France is vying with China and other emerging powers for markets in Africa and on the agenda was the problems of piracy, terrorism and climate change.

Now when Sarkozy is in town it's always chaos. Most of the main streets are cordoned off for security. Some buildings have to close their shutter (pourquoi?) and the police are everywhere. However the most talked about subject of the week, was his unveiling of a very controversial sculpture on the Old Town Promenade. Strange choice, the only reason I guess it was chosen could be that the sculpture creator is local. It looks like a pile rusty upturned metal girders, totally out of touch with the gentle swaying palm trees and distinguished buildings. Ah well at least it won't go rusty or improve with age!

No sooner had the President departed, the city is getting ready for the 150 years celebration of Nice joining France, as before 1860 it was considered Italian...With all the action here there is no time to become a lazy expat living in the sun !