September 18, 2004
The Southern Cross
On Friday evening I trekked east to Rotterdam. Despite some confusion about just how far Rotterdam is and how long the train takes to get there I managed to meet the people I was meant to meet, didn't miss the boat (literally) and spent an enjoyable evening. The occasion was a harbour tour organised by ABIE at which the founder of the Southern Cross Group would be speaking. I fit in because I'm an Australian living in the Netherlands who ocassionally goes to ABIE events and the co-ordinator for the Southern Cross Group in the Netherlands.
Most of my time in the Netherlands I have avoided expat groups for the sole reason that I didn't want to spend my time in an expat-ghetto bitching about the fact that Holland isn't Australia/England/America. (So instead I've cut out the middle man and bitch directly to the Dutch, sad but true!) What I really enjoyed about Friday evening was meeting people who were creating for themselves (and others) very positive and pro-active experiences. Anne Mcgregor, the founder of the Southern Cross Group is one example, I'd never actually had the chance to meet her before and I'm glad its finally happenned. Several other ABIE members and vistors were also very stimulating so it was a great and timely reminder that there are more expats out there than those who confine their lives to the English/Irish pubs and wait-with-baited-breath for the next order of Tim Tams from home.
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