Can we make our own 'from our own correspondent'

[teafortwo]

I love love love this radio show...

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/default.stm

Can we please please please have a thread that has a vibe a bit like this?

We can have a bunch of parents who live all over the World in all kinds of countries (including Blighty), with all kinds of neighbours and themselves living in all kinds of situations (rural, city, suburbs and anything inbetween) explaining what is happening where they live. Day to day things (what is on sale at your local market, what you ate for lunch), portraits of figures in your community (e.g a lovely old village character), big news stories (e.g student riots), little news stories (a much loved dog has died that used to wander around the town centre), arguements in the cafe (sport, politics, religion), music and dance (e.g I notice all Parisian teenagers like to do this weird wiggling dance and they even have lessons for how to do it on national telly), observations on things that are different from where you come from (I don't know...e.g a New Yorker's take on living in the Lake District), interesting discussions on languages spoken... etc etc... I think it could be fun!!!

So tell me...

Am I making sense?

and..

What do you think? Shall we give it a go?

Tfor2, probably because it's a zoo at the airport in Lagos and you wouldn't want to spoil your Sunday Best before you've even set foot on the plane! The children are treated similarly in that they start the trip in jeans and t-shirts and get off at the otehr end in woolly jumpers, thick trousers, coats, gloves, boots, scarves and hats. And that's just in summer!

A lot of the offices have dress-up Friday, the opposite to dress-down day. Local people sport their traditional garb, often very smart outfits, instead of a suit or jacket. Even our driver dresses posh on Fridays, which is more than I do.

One of my best friends in Paris is Nigerian. Her son always wears at least 3 layers more than my daughter in all seasons. I once asked her about it!

"Yeah - it is an African thing!" She giggled.

I think that is true but also us Brits are keen to wear as little as we can get away with too.

When we went to the science museum a woman wearing a jumper, fleece and t-shirt on a not sunny but summery day said to me "It is cold outside your daughter needs a coat!"

"Actually, it is ok." I explained. "We're British!"

oh cali I am so glad the parcel got there

Glad they like it too!!! I wasn't sure about the book.

Lol at 'We're British.' It is indeed an African, or at least a Nigerian, thing. If the temp drops below about 30degC the Lagosians appear in puffa jackets, hats and jumpers. The motorcycle taxi drivers wear all that paraphenalia plus toe-socks with the toe bits cut open on their hands. The babies wear layers and layers of clothing, even snowsuits! How they don't expire of overheating I don't know - they must be very robust.

I received a mumsnet e-mail today - congrats to fooc, QuintessentialShadows, who is quote of the week!!!! [bunch of flowers and round of applause smiley]

By the way about... that supersonic list of foocs... well Briochedoree lives near Versailles!

Sniggering with recognition at the "it's ok, we're British" thing. It's the same in Hong Kong - the moment the temperature dips below about 15'C out come the North Face puffa jackets and gloves. If it's going to be below (I think) 10'C the government issues a Cold Weather Warning and opens all the schools overnight for the elderly to go to if they have no heating in their flat.

Keeping babies really, really rugged up seems to be a Chinese cultural thing. You often see someone carrying along a spherical bundle of clothes with two little eyes peeking out. In the winter and spring we were forever being stopped in the street and told that DD (in a snowsuit with a hat on) should be wearing more clothing. We have trotted out the "It's OK, she's half British!" line hundreds of times. People nod sagely and say Ahhhhh, that explains it. The British must be world-famous for being hardy.

It's great catching up on all your posts, a very interesting thread.

Not much happening here in Montreal apart from general life. DS (15mo) started daycare this week. A costly CAD$7 a day. I don't quite know how I got in there, as locals are giving up due to 2year waiting lists or going the nanny route. I start work next week. Not sure about it, but as it's only 3 days I think I'll just grin and bear it for a year. He's settled in very well, and really loves being around the other kiddies. There are children of different heritages, pakistan, iran, UK/Kiwi (DS), and others I've yet to learn yet, so a nice little mixed group.

We don't have a car here and get the metro to where we need to go. DH can walk to work in 15mins, but I will need the Metro, otherwise I'd have to get up 1/2hr earlier, and I can't have that. They could do with extending it to cover the west and east of the Island. But currently they are spending $600m on installing elevators in all the stations for disabled and stroller access. As it won't be completed for 20yrs, it might just come in handy for my old age.

We live in a very leafy area of Montreal which is considered a city in it's own right. They are very proud of themselves and refused to change the name of a portion of road when the rest of the city changed it. So what is Rene Levesque in the rest of Montreal is Dorchester in our bit.

We have great facilities. For $50 a year we have a family pass to use tennis courts, swimming pool and ice rink, which are all very close to us.

We took a stroll by Cupcake Girl the other weekend, but we were 2 days early for her to be back from vacation. Argh.

We are off camping with friends for this Labour weekend tomorrow. Somewhere near Lac Champlain, near Vermont, I think. Don't actually know as she was unable to email mapquest to me, and somehow has not managed to tell me where it is and how to get there yet! We put all our camping stuff into storage in the UK as we thought, mmm Camping in Canada mmmmm Bears mmmmmmmm. But it turns out it's OK in our neck of the woods. So after kicking ourselves several times and much gnashing of teeth we had to buy new tent and some bits and bobs. For a nation of outdoorsy folk, they have shite tenting equipment here. We ended up ordering an outwell online in the UK and only too 3 days to get here!

I miss online shopping in UK, it's really pants here. I ordered things for DS around the same time as the tent from US/Canada and they took TWO weeks to arrive. Unbelievable. We did think coming here it would be a consumer paradise, but very hard to get what we want (the only difficulty of being carless) and often can order through the US, but sometimes they don't ship to Canada and/or charge extortianate shipping and duty.

Well I should mooch off, this has turned massive! Still have stuff to get ready for the morrow. Amazing what you need for a short camping trip, a big pile of bags on the dining table, and more to add to it yet.

Night all, and enjoy your weekends, wherever you may spend it.

It's great catching up on all your posts, a very interesting thread.

Not much happening here in Montreal apart from general life. DS (15mo) started daycare this week. A costly CAD$7 a day. I don't quite know how I got in there, as locals are giving up due to 2year waiting lists or going the nanny route. I start work next week. Not sure about it, but as it's only 3 days I think I'll just grin and bear it for a year. He's settled in very well, and really loves being around the other kiddies. There are children of different heritages, pakistan, iran, UK/Kiwi (DS), and others I've yet to learn yet, so a nice little mixed group.

We don't have a car here and get the metro to where we need to go. DH can walk to work in 15mins, but I will need the Metro, otherwise I'd have to get up 1/2hr earlier, and I can't have that. They could do with extending it to cover the west and east of the Island. But currently they are spending $600m on installing elevators in all the stations for disabled and stroller access. As it won't be completed for 20yrs, it might just come in handy for my old age.

We live in a very leafy area of Montreal which is considered a city in it's own right. They are very proud of themselves and refused to change the name of a portion of road when the rest of the city changed it. So what is Rene Levesque in the rest of Montreal is Dorchester in our bit.

We have great facilities. For $50 a year we have a family pass to use tennis courts, swimming pool and ice rink, which are all very close to us.

We took a stroll by Cupcake Girl the other weekend, but we were 2 days early for her to be back from vacation. Argh.

We are off camping with friends for this Labour weekend tomorrow. Somewhere near Lac Champlain, near Vermont, I think. Don't actually know as she was unable to email mapquest to me, and somehow has not managed to tell me where it is and how to get there yet! We put all our camping stuff into storage in the UK as we thought, mmm Camping in Canada mmmmm Bears mmmmmmmm. But it turns out it's OK in our neck of the woods. So after kicking ourselves several times and much gnashing of teeth we had to buy new tent and some bits and bobs. For a nation of outdoorsy folk, they have shite tenting equipment here. We ended up ordering an outwell online in the UK and only too 3 days to get here!

I miss online shopping in UK, it's really pants here. I ordered things for DS around the same time as the tent from US/Canada and they took TWO weeks to arrive. Unbelievable. We did think coming here it would be a consumer paradise, but very hard to get what we want (the only difficulty of being carless) and often can order through the US, but sometimes they don't ship to Canada and/or charge extortianate shipping and duty.

Well I should mooch off, this has turned massive! Still have stuff to get ready for the morrow. Amazing what you need for a short camping trip, a big pile of bags on the dining table, and more to add to it yet.

Night all, and enjoy your weekends, wherever you may spend it.

whoops, sorry for dble post.

Hi from Adelaide - I am new here so everything is an adventure at the moment.Will i ever stop comparing everything to the UK? Like the funny names for things cellotape is called durex!! Felt tip pens called texters!! Bought my first car here which was an ordeal in it self - paperwork, HATE IT!!!At least they drive on the same side which is a blessing if you have seen my driving. Have a good weekend everyone

Hethbell, PMSL @ durex=sellotape .

I suppose you'll go on finding new things to wonder at and grit your teeth at!

FOOC in Japan
First of all, check out these photos from the Independent - good for explaining all about the UK to your neighbours!

Here in Japan, there has been torrential rain with flash floods, landslides etc. maily in central areas, as well as just west of Tokyo. Luckily, we live south of Tokyo and the rain hasn't really been so bad - we could see the rain clouds to the north, and there was amazing lightning over the mountains last night. One person has been reported dead, and thousands have been evacuated....
We are just entering the typhoon season so we are expecting a lot more rain and wind over the next few weeks.

We got back from a visit to the UK last week, and the jet lag has finally run its course - it is always worse going from west to east, and I find it affects me more as I get older (grrr). The DCs were fine after about 2 days. They go back to school next Monday, so we have to go and do the usual last minute shopping this weekend - luckily no uniform at primary school, but we need indoor shoes, gym kit, new notebooks/pencils etc.

Take care all.

I guess given that durex is a brand of condoms at the thought of Hel asking for it in the local shop.

So that is something we can add - what are different thinks called.

knickers - undies ( or big comfy cotton ones - grundies - short for granny undies)

plasters - band aides

suitcases - may also be called ports

flannels - face washers

squash - cordial

yog-hurt - yo-ghurt (hope you can follow)

sweeties - lollies

ice lollies - ice blocks

vests - singlets - had to laugh at dd2 the other day - she said to me as I am tucking her vest in a public toilet - 'grandma calls this a singlet but it is not a singlets is it? It is a vest!'

hoover - vacuum cleaner

couch - lounge/sofa

football - soccer. Football here is rugby league.

loo - toilet

I can't think of anymore but dh is not here so will have to ask him.

oh man I knew i would remember one once I posted.

swimmers/ swimsuit - togs

What a great laugh you've all been having while Europe sleeps!

eidsvold - My dh's Mother is a British ex-pat, she grew up with British parents, Indian staff and American friends. So dh learnt his English from her as a result sometimes he has the American or Indian word for something because that is the word she uses while of course being British I have only the British word.

Yesterday I asked him to buy some sellotape on his way home. He had no idea what I was talking about so we had to switch languages and started to speak in French!

Saku - WOW I LOVE the different words and the article in the independent it is spot on!!!

Those photo are so true. My Grandad lovde Tunnocks wafers and at the toddler group we go to at our local church on a tuesday (roll on 9th September when it starts again after the summer) the children get little pink waffers with their juice or if a special day party rings.

It is lovley and sunny here in North Yorkshire and we are planning a trip to the park with friends today.

We too went camping in Northumberland over the bank holiday and introduced the boys to Hadrians wall. DS1 was really disappointed after seeing the great wall of chinna on the olympics. They enjoyed the basics of kite fying and kicking a ball through sheep poo - lovley

We were invated by teh sheep from the next door field - it was wonderful. Nothing like the smell of sausages and bacon cooking first thing in the morning.

Please tell me if you have mums and toddlers etc were you are or what do you do to keep the children entertained.

We must be getting the edge of your weather system, Sakura. We had the heaviest rain in 100 years on Monday morning. DH was delighted to roll over and go back to sleep - even through the double glazing we could hear that the rain was so heavy there was no chance of getting a taxi.

Sixty streets in our neighbourhood flooded but DD still insisted on being taken out in her pram for a walk and a chat.

Oh dear - I just read my last post - what a jumble... the electric lady came half way through so it doesn't make that much sense because I was talking with her !

It was just to say great posting, foocs!

Themadhouse.... I love your post too. As a child I was taken to stay on a few different farms in Yorkshire on holiday so it is a rather idyllic and cozy place in my mind. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to think of the rolling landscape, comical sheep and tea how tea used to be!

So to answer your question... Formal mother and baby groups are quite an anglo-saxon thing. Children start nursery school at 3 and before that, I feel, are expected to be with their nounou (nanny), at a creche or with their family and friends.

Being Anglo-Saxon, however, I had a deep urge to take my baby to some sort of formal gathering so after some serious research to find a place I signed her up to Gymboree. I have to take my daughter on a 40 minute journey - walk, tram and then walk (or bus if it is raining) to this club in Paris once a week -

www.gymboree-france.com/

It is basically an American tumble tots. They do lessons in French and English. We do the lessons in French as part of our French education! Afterwards, with a group of friends we take the once babies now toddlers to the same apartment to play, to a park or a museum or gallery. It is good fun!

Now someone elses turn...

I dont know how I would manage without mums and toddlers, espeically in the rain. It is in a large church hall and they can run around, go on the slide and just be little boys. It has been around forever, my mum remembers it being there when I was a child (but I went to Nursery). Half the toys are proberbly from then too, but it has a wonderful atmosphere and the old ladies that run it, give you coffee made with hot milk

I am lucky in that we live in a beautiful part of the country 5 mins from the sea, 5 mins from the moors and also 10 minutes from the inlaws dairy farm, so the boys have a fab outdoor lifestyle. In fact when they are older we plan to build on the farm

WOW!!!! Madhouse - one of my bestest holiday memories is staying in a cottage on a dairy farm and running out of milk.

My Mum popped to the farmers wife to ask for a drop of their milk. She gave us two jugs of the real stuff - straight from the cow. It tasted like a drink fit only for the gods! Tell us more about the sea, the moors and the farm. Please!

Ninedragons and saku - If we all say "Sunshine sunshine sunshine" do you think your rain will go away and sunshine appear? - It sounds fun for the little ones but a bit scary and a real pain for you!!!

Can anyone better our rainfall in Nigeria? We had 20 inches in one day last year. Nowhere in Lagos is more than 12 feet above sea level so my mind was making rapid calculations as to how long it would be before we would need an ark.

I'm doing last minute preparations before setting off back to Nigeria on the first flight Monday morning (well, actually, I'm Mumsnetting, not packing, hehehe!) and going into town to post parcels, buy more 'stuff' - all avoidance techniques for not dusting and hoovering the house before I go.

I'm taking something new with me this trip; a cool bag laden with those ice block things and packs of sausages and bacon. We can get neither in Nig and I know others have brought in meat (stuff like beef, which is ridiculous as you can get beautiful beef there, fillet for £4 a kilo) so I'm giving it a go. The downside will be if our luggage goes AWOL and I receive a coolbag in three week's time, filled with rotting meat products! I'm not sure about import rules but as with almost anything in Nigeria, a 'dash' (bribe tip) will likely smooth the way.

we have church groups who will run a mother and toddler group once a week or you have the more formal playgroups.

We get together - children play for the first 45 minutes indoors - usually do a craft activity as well - if they choose. THen we have story and singing time, morning tea - byo for kids and bring a plate to share for adults. Then it is pack up and play outside time. Runs for 2 hours. We pay $2 a week to attend and that money goes towards christmas presents and supplies.

Dd2 loves it. We sometimes have outings to the local park or soft play area.

ninedragons hope you are keeping dry - we are over the worst here now.

We are not allowed to bring in meat or fruit into Japan, they are very strict.
Good luck with the packing, suedonim and hope the sausages make it through customs in Nigeria. (now there's a sentence I never thought I'd be writing!!)

My god this thread has moved on since I was last on here. Lots of catching up to do later after DS has gone to bed then .

Today is Friday and it's market day in our nearest town. People come from miles around for market day so town is crammed (you really can't walk down the road, it's so full - I was walking along in the gutter rather than try the pavement). Crammed full mainly with old men in berets. They stand around in massive crowds outside the marketplace (presumably while the Mrs gets in the food cos you never see a man carrying a shopping bag), doing deals, gossipping, and arranging marriages. Yes, marriages are still arranged here (in 'the villages' of course, not in the 'sophisticated' towns). When a girl is available (right age etc) word is spread that there is a marriageable girl available in such a such a village, and prospective grooms can check her out.

And the practice of 'stealing' a bride still happens. It is essentially eloping. When a couple like each other and want to get it on, he 'steals' her to go and live with him, and that forces the girl's family to allow him to marry her because of course she is used goods. Your jaw has probably dropped but that's life here. But not in towns, since they refer to all that as 'village behaviour'!!

Thinking of you suedonim taking the sausages through customs! I'm only in Spain, and pretty sure that the European freedom of goods thing allows me to take whatever I want back to UK, but I still get nervous when carting back a kilo of the best Jamon Serrano for the relatives.