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A South African Teacher's Adventures In & Out of the Global Classroom

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About me
Travel Destinations
- The Middle East
  - Oman
  - Qatar
  - Bahrain
  - United Arab Emirates
  - Saudi Arabia
  - Jordan
  - Iran
- Asia
  - Sri Lanka
  - India
  - Laos
  - Myanmar (Burma)
  - Nepal
  - Maldives
  - Turkey
  - Pakistan
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Cyprus
  - Croatia
  - Czech Republic
  - France
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  - Ireland
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  - Serbia
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- Africa
  - Tanzania
  - Swaziland
  - Kenya
  - Egypt
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  - Seychelles
  - Uganda
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- Caucasus
  - Azerbaijan
  - Armenia
  - Georgia
  - Russia
- South America
  - Brazil
  - Argentina
  - Paraguay
  - Uruguay
  - Chile
  - Peru
- Central America
  - Guatemala
  - El Salvador
Teaching Abroad
Life in the UAE
Life in Qatar
- Things to do in Qatar
- Info for residents
  - Getting a drivers license in Qatar (if you already have a license)
Life in Kuwait

About me
Travel Destinations
- The Middle East
  - Oman
  - Qatar
  - Bahrain
  - United Arab Emirates
  - Saudi Arabia
  - Jordan
  - Iran
- Asia
  - Sri Lanka
  - India
  - Laos
  - Myanmar (Burma)
  - Nepal
  - Maldives
  - Turkey
  - Pakistan
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Cyprus
  - Croatia
  - Czech Republic
  - France
  - Hungary
  - Ireland
  - Netherlands
  - Serbia
  - Slovenia
- Africa
  - Tanzania
  - Swaziland
  - Kenya
  - Egypt
  - Tunisia
  - Seychelles
  - Uganda
  - Rwanda
- Caucasus
  - Azerbaijan
  - Armenia
  - Georgia
  - Russia
- South America
  - Brazil
  - Argentina
  - Paraguay
  - Uruguay
  - Chile
  - Peru
- Central America
  - Guatemala
  - El Salvador
Teaching Abroad
Life in the UAE
Life in Qatar
- Things to do in Qatar
- Info for residents
  - Getting a drivers license in Qatar (if you already have a license)
Life in Kuwait

Tag: blog turns 1

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Travel

Expat Panda turns 1!

August 6, 2017 28 Comments

Last year on this date I publicly launched this blog. Can you believe its only been a year? I really…

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Palestine is accessible and can be visited! 🇵🇸

Unless your nationality has a passport that cannot be used in the state of Israel, you CAN visit Palestine. Swipe to read about how it possible- based on my experience.

To enter into Palestinian territories from Jerusalem (or anywhere really), you only need to get on the right bus/es. Locals will help you in conjunction with Google Maps (I strongly recommend having an eSim for navigation) 📱

It is not scary to visit Palestine. It is easy to navigate to and within. The people are friendly and will assist you when you need help. Yes you will pass inside walls and through checkpoints. Yes you will encounter soldiers and bullet holes. This is part of life under illegal occupation 😵‍💫

Just check with your hotel to make sure there are no protests or events happening in the area you want to visit on the day.

I felt far safer in Palestine than I have in many other more popular destinations.

Read my last post for why you SHOULD visit Palestine (for those who can). If you have any other questions, please leave them in comments below and I will try to answer 🤗

Thanks to @mamaintransit for encouraging me to write this post ✍️

“I am not interested in politics or religion so

“I am not interested in politics or religion so why should I visit Palestine?”

I don’t want anyone considering a trip to Palestine- both the occupied sectors and self governed territories- to think that there’s nothing more than conflict or religious sites. You can visit Palestine for the same reasons you visit any other place- for adventure, culture, shopping, food, hikes, landscapes and to meet people 💖

You could stay for months and still not see/do everything this country has to offer. If you go with an open mind, you will have the most unique experience of your life. The most important thing is to visit and observe things for yourself; to use your freedom of movement to explore freely; and to be open to learning and listening.

Seeing and acknowledging are powerful tools that cost you nothing 👀

Having endured more than 60 years of occupation, Palestinians frequently believe that the world has abandoned them. Palestinians wonder, “Why is no one standing up for us in the international community?” as more and more of their land is taken by the Israeli military and government, and as more people are injured and killed. Palestinians are encouraged by the presence of international visitors documenting the peaceful efforts Palestinians engage in daily to merely “live” on their land, in their homes, and with their families 🏡

They are reminded by your presence that there are many within the world who support the right of the oppressed to live in peace, security, dignity, and independence. Your presence contributes to restoring a sliver of hope to their lives; to remind them that they’re not invisible and their lives matter.

Also remember, that business and trade are slowed or stopped when borders and checkpoints are closed. Even though your trip may not be extravagant or expensive, it will make a difference to the lives of Palestinians if you’re mindful about where you spend the most money 💰

☮️ This is a country where your presence actually makes a difference ☮️

For anyone who wants to visit a unique place, is ready to learn, and is a little bit adventurous, Palestine might just be the perfect travel destination 🇵🇸✊🏾

Olive trees, the saltiest sea, welcoming smiles, s

Olive trees, the saltiest sea, welcoming smiles, shouts of “Ahlan” as you walk through the bustling markets.
Palestine Exists 🇵🇸

A helping hand, a friendly ear, sharing of stories, invitations to events, and a grateful “Thank you for choosing to visit us”.
Palestine Embraces 🇵🇸

Cheesy kunafa, tender falafel, hot mint tea, smooth hummus and that burst of flavour as you bite into a fresh olive.
Palestine Entices 🇵🇸

History in every crevice, conflict in every corner. Bullet holes, tedious checkpoints, unsmiling soldiers and huge rifles.
Palestine Endures 🇵🇸

A land that connects religions but is divided by occupation. A land of contradictions but so many possibilities. A brutal system birthed in Africa but continuing in Asia.
Palestine Evolves 🇵🇸

Visit to be educated, open your eyes to what lies beneath the surface. Appreciate your privilege as you explore freely navigating the nuances of a complex land. But above all, never forget-
Palestine Exists 🇵🇸 ✊🏾

🌀New Blog Post: Planning a trip to Guatemala 🌀

Guatemala has everything you’re looking for in a holiday destination. From history to culture, ancient ruins and brilliant colonial architecture, natural beauty and adventure, you’ll love traveling to the country – plus it’s known as the Mayan center of Central America because of the many historical sites. The landscape is stunning with lush rainforests that are home to iguanas, howler monkeys, and toucans. With a visa free policy for South African travelers, it ranks pretty highly on my favourite destinations list. If you’re keen to explore Guatemala, make sure you read my blog post. It covers:

-Visa information
-My travel regrets and what to expect
-Why you should visit and what you should eat (most important)

If you’re thinking of a trip to somewhere truly unique and affordable, click the latest blog post tab from the link in my bio! Link will be in my stories too 😎

Would you visit Guatemala?

I think I’m going to make some enemies based on

I think I’m going to make some enemies based on this reel 🌚 But it’s all in the spirit of fun I promise 😃

What’s the most overrated destination you’ve ever been to?

🟢Colourful free places to visit in Doha, Qatar

🟢Colourful free places to visit in Doha, Qatar 🟣

1️⃣ Mina District
2️⃣ Qanat Quartier
3️⃣ Al Sadd Metro Station (Exit 1)
4️⃣ Box Park
5️⃣ Al Maha Island
6️⃣ Umbrella Park

Share your favourite colourful spots around the world in the comments 🌈

Spoiler alert: most “international” schools in

Spoiler alert: most “international” schools in the Gulf have leadership teams that look just like this 🥲

Something I learnt the hard way is that school leaders who were hired based on their skin colour and nationality are completely out of touch with the community they’re hired to teach and teachers they’re supposed to lead 🙃

I said what I said 🐸 ☕️

Some days I’m grateful to do what I do- my activ

Some days I’m grateful to do what I do- my activities go off without a hitch and the students cooperate. But on other days I just wonder… “why am I here?”

Share if you can relate 😄

Shoutout to @evelynfaith for the guest appearance 🐺

🌀New Blog Post: Visiting El Salvador- A True Hi

🌀New Blog Post: Visiting El Salvador- A True Hidden Gem🌀

This photo of me overlooking a beautiful beach is not an accurate depiction of my time in El Salvador. I made A LOT of mistakes when planning my trip … I thought I would arrive and just kind of… wing it. But boy was I bought down to earth so quickly upon arrival! In my blog post today I share my mistakes and how you can learn from them when planning a trip to El Salvador🙉

Despite what Western media may depict, El Salvador is actually an amazing country to visit. The food is delicious, the people are friendly and the landscapes are unparalleled. I felt safe as a female traveller no matter where I went. From black sand beaches to intimidating volcanoes, El Salvador has it all. In my blog post you can find details about:

🌐Visa information
🌐My travel fails and what to expect
🌐Why you should visit and what you should eat

If you’re thinking of a trip to a true hidden gem, click the latest blog post tab from the link in my bio! Link will be in my stories too 😎

Would you visit El Salvador?

My toxic trait is that every time I’m travelling

My toxic trait is that every time I’m travelling and I enjoy an excellent meal, I start looking up “teaching jobs in _____” 🙊

I can’t be the only one?

📍: Lol- Ha Restaurant, Akumal Beach (Mexico 🇲🇽 )

If you’re planning your trips and don’t want t

If you’re planning your trips and don’t want to bother with piles of paperwork and embassy appointments, here’s a comprehensive list of fuss free places to help out fellow South African passport holders 🌍

I will ALWAYS advise people to travel where you’re welcome because there’s a whole world out there beyond just Miami, London and Dubai!

Save & share with a fellow South African who wants to travel the world in 2023 🇿🇦

*Always check information with official sources before a trip as things can change quickly 🌚

“Handling the situation differently” means no

“Handling the situation differently” means no one takes responsibility for their actions and the situation keeps repeating itself. Then we wonder how we end up with entitled, egotistical adults who can’t face the consequences of their unreasonable behaviour 😶

Leave a 🍎 if you’ve experienced this!

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