About

Arriving in Serbia was something like our 15th international move if you include all our international transfers over the years. More recently, our first stop with the Foreign Service in 2010 was Manila, Philippines,  in 2013 we were posted in Kathmandu, Nepal where we remained until the summer of 2015, having experienced the earthquake there in the spring.  In the summer of 2015 we moved to Kingston, Jamaica and in August 2017 we moved to Belgrade, Serbia.  How’s that for contrast?!

Our new FS life came rather unexpectedly (right out of nowhere really) and brought a new label for me  – EFM or FS Spouse – and a different kind of international travel experience.  I write here trying to combine my previous overseas life with the new to make the best of everywhere and nowhere that my travels take me. (Nowhere can be that overseas place where people know you live, but often don’t really relate to as any place at all.  That place where others may never have visited and may never wish to see, but that you call home, at least for now.)

In 2018 I applied and was accepted into the foreign service, just as my husband was approaching retirement. In 2019 I was sent to Nairobi,Kenya as my first assignment, although collectively it is my fifth post. Kenyan posts maybe forthcoming, we will see.

So here are my tales, mostly reflective and from Serbia right now. Hope you like them and please stop by and say hello!

47 thoughts on “About”

  6. Hello newest Spikey! I know, a bit corny, eh, but that’s the term that has come to stick for those folk who are part of the clan known to be followers of Uncle Spike 🙂

    Thank you… I really appreciate that as I for one, know how many interesting and entertaining blogs are out there.

    My aim is to deliver an eclectic offering of posts, from my ‘point n shoot’ attempts at basic photography, to the sharing of my travel adventures over the decades, as well as day to day happenings here on the farm. Oh, plus a few observations on life as I see it, thrown in for good measure.

    My promise to you is not to be overbearing, just a couple of posts a day, maybe 3 at weekends if I have something special to share. But if you are at a loose end one day, maybe you’ll enjoy trawling through some of my older stuff too. I have added plenty of categories to help in said digging process.

    Thanks again and hope you have a great day…

    UNCLE SPIKE

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  8. Hello,

    My name is Amanda Roberts and I am the author of the blog Two Americans in China. I found your blog and contact information through Expats Blog. I am the author of Crazy Dumplings, a fun food fusion cookbook that was funded throughKickstarter. My dream, though, is to write a cookbook written specifically for expats about how to cook foods and dishes from their home country in their new adopted country using ingredients that can be found locally. However, my only experiences cooking abroad are in China, so I thought it would be a good idea to get information from the worldwide expat audience. I would love to hear about your experiences cooking abroad. Please click the following link to take my survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3DKT52R (Works best if using Google Chrome.) I will include a link to the blog of everyone who responds and helps me out in the book.

    Thank you so much for your assistance, and I look forward to hearing from you!

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  9. Thanks so much for following our blog, Oh, the Places We See. Our short trip to Nepal happened about two years ago when we went there to build a Habitat for Humanity house. We toured Bakhtapur (not sure if spelled correctly) and most of Kathmandu. Very interesting sites and culture. I wear jewelry purchased from the ladies who followed us all over Durbar Square and have fond memories of all. Looking forward to what you post as the pictures will help us relive our trip! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com

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  11. Hello Wrightsolution-
    What an interesting, and flexible lifestyle you have! I’m so glad you visited my blog and gave a “follow;” I appreciate the pathway to your blog.
    Your stories and photos are fantastic windows to places I will most likely never see in person. That’s what I like so much about blogging… the ability to learn about and view the world through following strategically selected blogs like yours.
    I hope you will enjoy learning about nature through the perspective of my blog as much as I will learn about Nepal (and onward later next year to Jamaica) through yours.
    Best wishes-
    ~Jane

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    • Thanks Jane. I saw your blog and followed because I thought it would be so fascinating to know more about geology. Especially around here! I’m still trying to go on a trek in the Himalayas but getting the opportunity to go is challenging. I hope to get a week in next Spring.

      I agree with your thoughts on blogging too. So many different lives in so many different places. And its so amazing that I can feel still feel connected despite the remoteness of Nepal and the challenging internet and electricity problems! Anyway, I will keep an eye out for new posts from you and look forward to your comments.

      Kind regards,
      Caroline

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  12. Love your header photo! I have a close-up of those stupa eyes on my own photo blog! I look forward to exploring your blog – the Nepal link is enough, but I saw a reference to Greece as well, so I’m excited to start reading!

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  14. Wow what a life you have led/lead. So much change and an extraordinary chance to see the world. Looking forward to exploring your blog further.
    Thank you so much for following our blog. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer.
    Cheers,
    Alison

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    • Thanks. I enjoyed seeing a little bit of your blog and would like to keep up with your adventures too. Remind me about the “extraordinary” bit when I have to start packing up house AGAIN in June! ;0) One of the pitfalls, I’m afraid….!

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    • Hi Nicole: Thanks for finding and following me! I just left Nepal, so the new stuff will be from other places, especially Jamaica when we arrive there in September…but there’s plenty of backlog! I will take a look at thirdeyemom too…clearly a Nepal connection in the name ;o) Caroline

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  18. Your blog is wonderful. Enjoy the world. I consider myself to be a universal citizen or citizen of the world, which you are for sure! I was born some where, raised somewhere, raised some more somewhere else, living somewhere now. Now with husband and kids…settling somewhat… 🙂 Nice to see your blog for sure. Will be following you. All the best. Yaz

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    • Hello Yaz. Nice to “meet” you. Thank you for your comments. Yes, bouncing around the planet is what I do and I do consider it a privilege and a wonderful opportunity (most of the time!). I will head over to “the unstoppable optimist” shortly….who could resist with a name like that! Welcome aboard and I look forward to sharing posts. ;o) Caroline

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  20. Hello and Namaste,
    I´ve found your nice and expressive pictures and your address in the web googling for informations about the Kathmandu Valley.
    My name is Friedhelm Nunnemann, a German retired automotive engineer, who visited Nepal since 1998 many times.
    Apart from hiking and trekking I´m very interested in the religious and cultural art and architecture of the people of the Kathmandu Valley.
    At the moment I´m constructing a website http://www.kathmandu-valley-temples.com and I´m looking for pictures of temples, shrines, chaityas and sculptures of the valley to complete the database of this page.
    It would be nice and helpful if you could allow me to reproduce some of your fotos. I assure that my website is absolute non-commercial and I will quote your name as the source and owner of the pictures.
    It would be nice to get a positive answer on my request.
    With best regards and greetings from Germany

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  21. Wow it is difficult to find work wherever one’s spouse’s job takes you. I imagine getting a job, then having to quit and move to a different country that may not have outlets for your training/education could be problematic and stressful. Looking at life as a curious adventure as you do is pretty much the only way to handle it. Great blog!

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    • You are right about that. The problem with all of this in general seems to be that when you are young and doing lots of different things (and reinventing yourself at new location) you are adaptable and versatile. When you are older and all over the place (literally!) they wonder what is wrong with you?!

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