My name is Sietske Galama, and I am from Utrecht, which is a university city right in the heart of the Netherlands.
When and how did you decide to move to Lebanon? Is it complicated to settle down there?
I came to Lebanon in the winter of 1990 as a journalist, and the plan was that I would stay here for a couple of months to work for a Dutch newspaper. There never was a plan to settle down initially, but somehow the ‘couple of months' turned into a ‘year' and then ‘another year', and some 22 years later, I am still here. As such, the transition process went seamlessly.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you visited?
I have lived and worked in Canada for a while, and spent some time in Australia. As a Dutchie, I have been all over Europe. Since my move to Lebanon, I've seen most countries in the Middle East, although Iraq is the one I have not visited yet.
What do you like the most about Lebanon/Beirut?
It's a big, cosmopolitan city where all kinds of different cultures meet, yet at the same time it is an absolute village. People still have a very small town mentality, which includes helping each other out, lending a hand, watching out for one another's kids. It is chaotic and unpredictable, which – after 22 years of dreariness in Holland – was a very welcome change. The weather and its geography help too. Life can be very comfortable here.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with Netherlands, your home country?
There was no real culture shock, as Beirut is very western, specifically the part where I live. But even outside that area, you'll find a society that is quite xenophile, and they're willing to put up with a lot of cultural ‘faux-pas'. Not all nationalities are equally treated, however. This is still quite a racist society, and not very tolerant with people of Africa and Asia, in general.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
Yes, shopping for furniture and household items. The Dutch have a distinctly different taste in this department. Hanging out with family, which is now limited to summer holidays only, is another thing I miss. Nature too, but I compensate by leaving the city every weekend for my ‘green fix'.
Any 'memories of an expat' you would like to share with us? Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?
Life here is not for the faint-hearted; you have to be able to adapt quickly to changes, because things change all the time. Some expats thrive on this (I am a thriver), others are appalled by it and cannot wait for their posting to be over. (Wrote something about that sentiment: http://sietske-in-beiroet.blogspot.com/2007/03/life-in-fast-lane.html) This is most definitely a boring country. What happens to a person here in one year, you wouldn't experience that in ten years time in a ‘normal' country. There have been so many events here, most related to political upheaval, that have made my life a thrill.
How does expat life in Beirut looks like?
I would say: very relaxed. People have time. The https://www.expat.community is small, but pretty tight. You will notice that you will have to – in order to be able to do your day job – curtail your social life after a while. The Lebanese work to live, not the other way around, and the https://www.expat.community has adapted quite well to this rhythm.
When did you start your blog? For what reasons?
I started in 2005, a day after the assassination of Prime Minister Harriri, because I felt that the time was so significant, I had to document it. It then turned into a photo story for my family in Holland. The blog served for a while as a dumping ground for stories that couldn't make it into the Dutch newspaper, it has served as my hobby outlet (photography and writing), it has been a venting tool now and then, I share my absolute love for this place in it (and my hate, now and then) and these days it is a bit of everything.
Did you make new friends with your blog?
Not really, but that is my own doing. Readers have been absolutely friendly in the comment section, but I should be more active when it comes to replying to comments. Most of my readers seem to be Lebanese expat in the United States and Australia, who feel nostalgic.
Why did you register on
https://www.expat.com and what do you think of the website?
I stumbled onto your web site as I was surfing for ‘other foreigners living abroad'. I enjoy looking into other people's living rooms, so to speak, and so I registered.
Which advice would you give to the other Expat blog members who would like to settle in Lebanon/Beirut?
Go with the flow. Throw away your agenda. Take each day at a time, otherwise you might become quickly frustrated and about to throw in your towel. Don't try to accomplish everything in a short time (getting your furniture out of the port for instance, is an experience best endured while doing yoga breathing exercises).
