By Angela Barletta

When I requested a break from my role as an expat trailing spouse in order to stay in one spot for longer periods of time I could not have imagined that I would do even more traveling than before. It’s been another year of endless enjoyment and fun.

I have Tony, my husband, to thank for giving me this opportunity of being such a “well kept woman” and for continually encouraging me to take every opportunity that came my way.

I really wanted to stay home, just home. It's unbelievable to most who can only dream of having these experiences and adventures, and now reflecting on the year I am grateful I was persuaded to pack one more time; book one more flight and make new memories with family and friends.

Our Christmas Day Lunch last year, 2014 with close friends was topped with my second daughter Bianca being home in London with us for most of January. I then flew to Sanremo to pack some summer clothes and made my way to Saudi Arabia to spend 6 weeks with Tony in Jubail. My worst fears of having a difficult time entering the 'Kingdom' came true and it took me over 4 hours to get my entry stamp on my passport. For some reason the computer 'went down' just as the young handsome Saudi was processing my information. He told me to go to the back room and wait. Experience told me "NO WAY", once you go into a room in the back you are simply forgotten about so I opted to stand right there in his view.

"NO WAY"

Sadly this did not help matters and only when I was about to have a complete meltdown, I decided to follow the boss to his room and sat on his leather chair opposite his desk; which I recall being very old with most of the leather split in various places, that I actually got some attention. I proceeded to tell him that I could not understand why this was happening, especially as I had lived in Saudi Arabia for nearly 9 years and was practically a citizen!!! Two minutes later I got my passport back, and was told to go. My husband though, had to phone the official the following week to confirm that I was in the system, otherwise I would not be able to leave. Great, but I knew Tony was traveling with me so decided to put that worry out of my mind.

It was a strange feeling being back in Saudi Arabia. It is a country we know to have so many human rights violations, the authorities are unhappy to have us in their country and yet the memories of our wonderful time there when the children were young and our many experiences diminished these negative feelings. Also seeing such vast open spaces with nothing but sand is a beauty in itself.

The compound where Tony resides in was surprisingly beautiful and comfortable. I was a bit confused though with the net curtains being far too long and rolled up in a metal box. Obviously a woman-thing, but my immediate desire was to tidy this all up and cut them off... until... Tony informed me that these were bullet proof curtains and that I was not to touch them.

Other security measures that we had to take into consideration while living in Saudi Arabia reminded me of why I made the right decision to become a “well kept woman” during this assignment. We then flew to Cape Town in the March meeting both Bianca and my parents. It was great to see our wonderful friends and we were spoilt rotten by all of them. On this occasion for Bianca, Cape Town the city of her birth, was a special trip. She had been there many times when she was young, but this time as a 21 year old Adult her experiences were quite different. Not only did we do the Robben Island Tour but Bianca had the courage to do a Tandem Paragliding Jump off Signal Hill with Tony just behind her.

Once Tony flew back to Saudi Arabia and Bianca to New York, I drove with my Mom and Dad back to Namibia. A special road trip along the West Coast that I had done as a young person more than 20 years earlier. Nothing had changed (it took longer to get out on the open road as the suburbs have grown all along the West coast), except some of the roads had deteriorated with more pot holes. The drive was so worth it as I watched with each passing km the scenery change from lush green to bushes and then sand. A few days prior to our trip it had rained up in Namaqualand and the tall grasses and yellow blooming flowers on the side of the road were beautiful.  

The yellow flowers are called "Morgenstern" by the Namibians. They come out after the rains and brighten up the landscape.

Seeing the gravel road alongside the new tarred National Road was a reminder of my childhood when we moved from Namibia to South Africa and we did the same trip of nearly 2000 kms in much bumpier conditions. A couple of weeks in Namibia, catching up with family and friends the time came that the three of us flew on Emirates Airlines via Cape Town/Dubai to Nice. My mom and dad spent three months with me in Europe. Besides doing a road-trip for 4 weeks through Germany visiting family and friends; meeting my eldest daughter Bettina's boyfriend Matthew, and having some quality time with both grandchildren; the time we spent together was very special for me. As most expats know, we try and see our family often, but seldom have long quality periods of time together.

After my parents left in June, friends began to arrive one after the other. The Barletta B&B was running smoothly with great coordination of pick up and drop of at Nizza Airport. Our balcony became a comedy stage show for the sun lovers by the pool below watching our comings and goings. My visitors on the other hand enjoyed our daily morning greeting from handsome pool life guard Alessandro as well as the daily rituals of the Italians around the swimming pool.

August brought with it the highlight of 2015. Matthew flew to Sanremo to propose to Bettina. We all knew about it, except Bettina so the surprise was a huge success. She said yes and we are very happy with her decision. Sadly my Mini gave up and blew up just as I got home from dropping off Tony and Bianca for their trips back to the real world. It was an expensive exercise which took a couple of weeks to fix. In September I flew to London for Bettina and Matthews engagement party where Tony surprised us all and joined the celebrations for one night. During this time I was spoilt by an invitation to the Rugby World Cup Opening Game at Twickenham, a couple of outings as well as a Dinner/Exhibition evening at the London Gallery.

The summer was over as quickly as it had started. I enjoyed alone time and spending some quality time with local friends in Sanremo. Another highlight in October was a 5 day trip to Paris with my friend Carina from Cape Town. We enjoyed museum visits and being in this magnificent city. Paris remains one of my favourite cities. Doing this kind of trip with a girlfriend is an altogether contrasting experience than with family. I loved living through what Paris has to offer once more.

The Louvre, Paris

While closing up Sanremo after my months there, reflecting on all the wonderful times I had with my family and friends, I felt very sad. I know I will be back, but this year was special. I love my home, have put some roots down and feel I belong in this little bit of paradise and am so pleased to have had these past two years to enjoy its charm.

Within 2 days of arriving in London I was off again. This time to celebrate my friend Shirley's Birthday with a 3 day trip to Dublin. I have been back a week and still my suitcases from this trip as well as Sanremo are not unpacked. This is due to having a daily wedding dress fitting inclusive of champagne. What fun, but the mind boggles at the choices available out there.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas. The tree is up and the home is decorated in anticipation of Tony and Bianca’s arrival. This year we are going to enjoy some friends traveling from Germany as well as South Africa. Over New Year we are planning a Ski Trip to Czech Republic for a week, but not sure how the snow situation will be. We are experiencing a very mild climate in London and elsewhere in Europe.

For us 2016 will be filled with excitement. It looks like Tony and I are probably moving back to Houston Texas on his next assignment. Bianca is preparing to graduate from NYU in June and we are planning a wedding in Cape Town for November. So enough to keep us on the move and out of trouble. 

Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy 2016. May what life throws your way be manageable, but especially enjoyable. We hope to see many of you again in the New Year.