Opleiding: Dutch-ess from the Himalayas

This book is written to inspire people who live and work between cultures.

The author grew up in the lap of the Himalayas where the snow clad mountains are almost like a back drop. Cupid’s arrow binds her to a Prince Charming from Holland where she migrates to and starts a life among the flatlanders. What is it like to dive headlong into another culture? After having worn a different shoe and romped in the Himalayas, was it just as easy as slipping into a pair of clogs and walking on….?

Living among the flatlanders and facing cultural challenges of living between two cultures, struggling with questions like, what are the expectations of a Dutch ‘Schoondochter’ daughter-in-law? How does one move about in a Dutch society? In a marriage of an ‘East meets West culture’ environment the question raises of how a person with a totally different background and upbringing adapts to the peculiarities of a culture in another country. What comes easy and what are the thresholds and why? Was it possible to make the culture of the flatlanders her own? Did she cut corners to make a cultural aspect her own or just ignored it altogether?  Answers to these questions are unfolded as the author takes you on this intercultural journey through the medium of this book.

In a unique manner of recounting her journey across two cultures, the author not only reveals the peculiar habits of the flatlanders, but also gives a glimpse of her own culture back home to the readers. A very compelling comparison of the two cultures and mind sets.

If you are looking for a light read with a dash of humour and a cup of tea to go by, look no further for you have the former in your hand but will need to get your own tea!!