InterNations Expat Events: Highlights in August 2010

Diversity and out-of-the-box thinking for unusual event formats were apparently key for many of our global expat events during the past four weeks. Let’s take a quick trip around the world while looking back on a few selected InterNations get-togethers, great and small alike. In Europe, the London Community decided to show some sportsmanship and organized an international bowling night, which was, however, marked by casual cameraderie rather than fierce competitiveness. The InterNations members of Helsinki preferred to watch other people’s exertions, though, and gathered among the spectators of a traditional “churchboat rowing race”, one of Finland’s most popular summer past-times. And while our guests in Zurich enjoyed a great spot on a club terrace overlooking the gaudy, rowdy party of the city’s annual techno street parade, the gathering in Vienna went in for something posher and more sophisticated, pleasing their palates with gourmet food prepared by one of the former chefs from Buckingham Palace.

If we move a little further east, the dinner of the Dubai community was surely delicious as well, but they had an additional reason to come together as they wanted to celebrate Ramadan with a typical after-sunset meal. The intrepid InterNations explorers from Kathmandu, too, wanted to participate in an important cultural and religious event, leaving the capital to visit the local Gai Jatra procession in the beautiful streets of neighbouring Bhaktapur, a highlight of Nepal’s historical heritage. Two of our Chinese communities had planned a special surprise as well: Everyone in Hong Kong was invited to a boat trip with a breath-taking view of the famous skyline along the Pearl River Delta, and the Shanghai Ambassadors generously (and gladly) sacrificed part of their weekend to guide selected members on a VIP tour through the numerous pavillions of this year’s EXPO in town.

Last but not least, two extra events in Australis and the Americas were dedicated to the delights of both local and international food: A close-knit group took a leisurely stroll across Brisbane‘s farmer market before taking brunch together, and Brasilia‘s potluck party was a perfect opportunity for the guests to exchange delicacies and recipes from their respective home countries.

(Pictures by Steven Schönauer & Derrick Sanyahumbi. Thanks!)