Babeth
@caledunoise
French expat in New Caledonia
Forum posts
54
About me
French
Lives in Nouméa
Speaks français
Registration: 01 September 2011
About
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
NOUMEA, New Caledonia
we arrived as a family in 98 with two of our children (out of 4). We had nothing to escape, just a desire to allow our last two children to live in a place where they would have the chance to meet other cultures, other people... and above all the hope that they would have a little more open mind... it seems that it was successful, they adopted this endearing Caledonia, have no prejudices about others, their friends belong to all ethnic groups, all colors, all backgrounds. and that’s good!
Currently only one remains in the territory, the last one left to study in mainland France...
active retiree... so very busy but at my own pace... and also at the tropical pace "don't worry" as they say here!
and foster family for children in the care of child welfare. hoping to be able to put a little balm on wounds if not able to heal these wounds.
I like the easy contact with everyone: it's the land of smiles, you smile in the street, you get a smile in return.
I also like the fact that there is a mix of cultures which allows for meaningful exchanges, as long as we have no preconceptions and are interested in others. between the life of the cattle-breeding "stockmen", that of the Kanak tribes of the sea or the land, the Indonesians, the Vietnamese and other Asians, the Polynesians, whether from Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga etc. so many special moments to share! and all this without excluding relationships between ears from different regions of our beautiful country with multiple faces.
I also like the diversity of landscapes: from the sea to the mountains in 50 km... everywhere the presence of water - springs, creeks (streams), rivers with crystal clear water and of course the turquoise sea for lovers.
with a pleasant temperature, a little weak for the months of October and November...
the distance from the family remaining in France, even if the Internet allows you to stay in touch... the arms of the grandchildren around your neck is still good!!!
the rise of a primary racism that we absolutely did not feel about ten years ago where ethnicity ends up having more importance than the person themselves. As if the wealth of this country was not all that anyone can contribute!
Ambouli, Djibouti
on leave to follow my husband, I took the opportunity to devote myself to a wonderful task... making and raising our fourth child for a year.
the life "in parentheses" that we shared there with a whole team of expats with whom we visited the entire territory (53,000 km in two years on the clock of the good old PAJERO) all the sea trips, Maskali, the seven brothers, Tadjourah, Obock...
the ease of contact with the Djiboutians, as long as we take the trouble to smile at them, respect them and not behave like cads - yes! if! I saw it! I know what I'm talking about.
the heat is a little difficult to bear when you are expecting a baby!
Centre coeur de France, France
it is my land, my roots firmly anchored in the soil of Beauce... and which allow me to have wings to fly everywhere else, because I know where I come from I can go wherever I want.