Friday 4 July 2014

An expat in disguise

- Would you like to taste a shrimp? I look around me. Who is she talking to, the fishsellerlady? Oh, to me?

- Oh, ok, I hear myself answer so politely: - yes, thank you. In English. English. And who am I to taste a shrimp? I know what they taste like. I am a native. And what is that - me talking English? I am not a tourist?

But, you see, I do get a bit carried away, because I am in tourist land, at the fish market in Bergen. And while tasting the shrimp (of course I did ), I look around: a large Japanese group, some Italians, Spanish and Russians. Yup, I am the only native person here.

But do I really look like a tourist to the fish-seller? Hm. Could it be the huge camera dangling around my neck? Or my bling bling sandals, my colorful clothes, flashy sunglasses or just my attitude? Yes, I guess I am an expat in disguise, a secret visitor. How great is that. I can explore my home town with new eyes, check out every single tourist spot (or trap). So, watch out Bergen: the Mumbai expat is back, disguised as a tourist...

And as I read through my old post How to spot a Mumbai expat? - 7 signs to look for - I feel myself nodding and giggling... Oh yes, I am so still there. Having that odd feeling of belonging but also of being foreigner..But I am:

...blending in with the tourists:

..and getting friendly with the locals:




And on this sunny day, I look up towards mount Fløien. Another popular tourist activity is taking the funicular up to the mountain top - for the view or for hiking further to the other mountains surrounding the city. So of course, I also did that. But let me just assure you that I have also walked all the way up there. Hey, I am (also) a native after all, right?

It is never far from the mountain top to the sea shore in Bergen, and as I, the disguised expat, am heading home, (after playing tourist for a day), I am walking along the sea and feel that fresh cool breeze in my hair, oh yes, this is home..... this too... Just like every other place where I have left a piece of my heart.. 




Yup, I guess home is where your hearth is... I wish you a wonderful weekend dear reader -  wherever you are, home or away and whether you are a tourist, a native or some kind of interesting mix of both:-) 
Ta ta from Bergen:-) 

34 comments:

  1. Masquerading as a tourist in your home town and enjoying the thrill. .oh la la ;)

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  2. They must have took you for a Mumbaiya tourist :) Lovely pictures of the mountain top and seashore! Enjoy your native-expat-tourist adventures all across the world.

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    1. Ha ha ha - ya maybe:-) Thank you so much for your kind words dear Beloo:-)

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  3. What fun being a tourist in your home town! I enjoy doing that, too. Lovely photos! Glad you enjoyed your day! You sure are the world traveler being in Norway, Greece and India. Always fun to read your blog.

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    1. Yes, a lot of fun:-) So happy you enjoy my blog - and as always so happy to see you here. Thank you for your kind words dear Cathy:-)

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  4. You are a world citizen now and the pictures are beautiful. What a lovely place.

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  5. Dearest Eli,
    Oh, that feeling I know too well... but home is where the heart is; a very powerful statement but so true. And isn't it great for knowing the feeling of making that transition? Not everybody gets to experience that!
    What a quality seafood I am looking at... That makes for delicious food!
    Enjoy your weekend and sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you dear Mariette. Yes, it is so true. Thank you for your sweet words - always so happy to see you here. Big hugs back to you

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  6. Tourist in your home town... that's how I too feel when I go home once in a while now a days... ;)

    Enjoy your weekend :)

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    1. Yes, its a funny feeling right:-) Happy to see you here Sheethal:-)

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  7. It happens so often to me, feeling like an expat at home..it's quite natural when u've been away for so long. Love ur narrative and so much fun:)

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    1. Thanks Vishal - happy u like:-) And yes, that is so true:-)

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  8. Beautiful captures all as always!!

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  9. It's a weird feeling being a tourist in your hometown. I feel that way whenever I visit Mumbai. Must be the camera :)

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    1. Ha ha ha - ya must be:-) I can imagine Suzy - hope you enjoy visiting your Mumbai:-)

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  10. But are you happy, or do you now have a feeling that you don't quite fit in back home anymore. I don't like going back, I find it really difficult. I am not the person who left. As for Bergen, I love your home.

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    1. So happy you love Bergen Rhonda ... Yes, well, I guess its mixed feelings for me too:-) But now as visiting its really fun:-)

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  11. Yup. That is my home town. After almost 20 years of living and working in other parts of the world, I am now back in my beloved Bergen....with my American wife. So. today we are celebrating July 4., but this is the West Coast of Norway, so the weather...No grilling.
    By the way, the breiflabb looks fanatastic. Yum!

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    1. Wow. Welcome back to your home town Jan:-) Hope you had a nice celebration - and maybe did the grilling :-) - another day:-)

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  12. :) Did you see anything new, Eli? I've enjoyed going back to a place where I've lived for years with someone who's visiting for the first time. It is a wonderful feeling. Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Thank you dear Vidya:-) Yes, thats fun for sure - and yes, some things I see with new eyes... good and bad:-) hugs to you

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  13. I love reading your poignant and uplifting words, seeing your photos, and knowing you are enjoying every moment of your time in beautitful Norway! Big hugs to you, Eli!

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words, dear Cindi:-) Hugs

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  14. Probably you have changed a bit from staying in India and that was evident to the fisherwomanlady...Another great travel post with beautiful sky and clear water...I see so much blue in your blog. Love them as that is my favorite color as well..

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    1. He he - yes, probably:-) Thank you for your always so kind words Jayanta - yes, a lot of blue ... Love it:-)

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  15. Interesting.. but I some time find it fun to discover one's city from the starry eyes of first time visitors. More than the sea food I loved the picture of colorful homes here...

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    1. Thanks Prasad. Yes, thats true -. the starry eyes of first time visitors - nothing beats that:-)

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  16. I think it must be fun to be a tourist in your own city. I like it too when we take guests from other cities for a sight seeing tour. It is like seeing old things with new eyes! Amazing captures, Eli and have a great time :)

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    1. Thank you Shilpa, for your kind words:-) Yes, that is a lot of fun isnt it:-) Hugs

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  17. enjoy ur stay with ur near and dear ones.. happy holidays !!!

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  18. Øst vest hjemme best! Bjørg, leser fra Skien

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