The World Joins Together for Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour began only a few years ago in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when two million individuals and two thousand business turned off their lights for one hour to protest inaction on climate change. Since then, nearly every country around the world has joined in, and this past Saturday, April 26 at 8:30pm local time saw many major cities and homes using candles for light for one hour.

You can find more information on Earth Hour and stay up to date on future Earth Hours from the main website here. To answer any questions you may have, you can find a FAQ page detailing Earth Hour here.

The ExpatFinder blog is pleased to present some of the best pictures from Earth Hour today.

United States

Las Vegas saw some of the most iconic buildings and millions of homes darkening.

Canada

In Vancouver:

France

Even the Eiffel Tower in Paris was turned off for the hour.

Sweden

Russia

The Dvortsoi Bridge:

Greece

Even the lights on the Parthenon in Athens were shut for the period.

Egypt

Arguably some of the most iconic structures in the world, the pyramids at Giza were left unlighted for the hour.

China

A long stretch on the Great Wall:

Hong Kong

Even in the middle of the city, the difference in Hong Kong was notable.

South Korea

Indonesia

Indonesia took part as well, darkening their skyline for the hour.

While Earth Hour 2011 may have just finished, it’s never too late to begin conserving energy. You can browse the Earth Hour site for tips on how to save more energy during your daily life and start making a change today.

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Images for: main picture, Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Egypt, Russia. Sweden, Canada from Reuters.

Images for United States: Getty

Image for France: AFP

Image for Greece: AP

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Moving to Mexico: Travel Tips

According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico has one of the biggest tourism industries in the globe. It is the twenty-third top tourism spender in the world, and the premier in Latin America. The nation’s moderate climate and distinctive culture – a fusion of the European (particularly Spanish) and the Meso-American – also make Mexico an appealing destination. These traits of Mexico have made it’s visitors think of moving in this exquisite place.

But to find out what the locals love and some worthwhile spots off the beaten path, you’ll need to talk to others who live in the country:

“Definitely considering Mexico as a ‘retirement’ option….so far the colonial cities are what I like (high altitudes, nice weather, amenities, culture, good food). You can always go to the beach now and then.” 
by cbendersf

“When we were in Lake Chapala, outside of Guadalajara, there was a huge American population living there. The area was lovely, evidently a popular place for the English-speaking to settle after retirement. Our family is here, so we will stay put.”
 by ologom

“Property taxes on a half-million dollar house $250 a year. Full-coverage health insurance with no concern about pre-existing conditions $150 a year. Food, insurance, taxes, fuel, hired labor, all significantly cheaper than in the United States. Laid-back lifestyle in a safe, gorgeous city on the bay with great beaches, very little crime of any kind. La Paz, Baja California Sur, is where it’s at for people weary of the rat race.”by bajajazz

Read More From SFGate

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Picturesque Panama

Tourism in the Republic of Panama kept its growth steady during the past 5 years due to the government’s move to offer tax and price discounts to foreign guests and retirees. These economic incentives led Panama to be become an perfect, picturesque place for retirees coming across the globe.

Aside from the strategic geographical location, Panama gives the other countries a run for their money when it comes to its eclectic food, tourists spots and as newest refuge for expats and retiring expats.

“ON a humid morning in Panama City earlier this year, three Americans, two Swedes, two Portuguese, two Irish and three Israelis sat down together for breakfast. The diverse group was united by a single interest: free pancakes, a standard perk at Luna’s Castle Hostel in the city’s historic district.

The American-inspired meal, along with the international crowd it attracted, is typical of the growing multicultural presence in this country, which is drawing foreign visitors as well as entrepreneurs — including the three Americans who run the mini-empire of hostels in Panama that includes Luna’s. Emboldened by low costs, easy access to imported products and the power of strong word of mouth, new businesses founded by American expatriates are popping up all over the city.”

Read More From The New York Times

Photo From seracat

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Quieting Nightlife in Paris

Expats in Paris may be finding that the Parisian nightlife isn’t what the expected. Neighbors and bar/club owners seem to be at odds and the losing party appears to be the owners. “The generalized law of silence that is battering down upon our events and our living spaces is soon to relegate the City of Lights to the rank of European capital of sleep,” a group of music promoters wrote in an online petition, to be submitted to the mayor of Paris and several government ministries on Jan. 31. The more than 14,000 signatories call for, above all else, more tolerance from residents and officials: it would be “dangerous hypocrisy,” the document says, “to let people think that the Parisian night could or should thrive without disturbing the perfect tranquillity of a single resident.” A headline in the newspaper Le Monde last month deemed Paris the “European capital of boredom.” To try to combat that image, the city has set up a Web portal, Paris Nightlife, to promote its 7,500 bars, nightclubs and concert halls, an effort to “reglorify the night,” said Audrey Epèche, a city tourism adviser.” Read more from New York Times

Expat Artist Try to Flourish In China

Expats in China do not only include executives, but among other professions artists. Artists are trying to take advantage of low costs that China has to offer to help them live better and explore more expensive mediums. The New York Times checks in on five such artists who are able to give their art forms ago of it all while trying to understand the cultural they live in. “He eventually left Suojiacun, but he has remained in China. Like the artists’ colony, the country offers challenges, but expatriates here say that the rewards outweigh the hardships. Mr. Rolandi is one of many artists (five are profiled here) who have left the United States and Europe for China, seeking respite from tiny apartments, an insular art world and nagging doubts about whether it’s best to forgo art for a reliable office job. They have discovered a land of vast creative possibility, where scale is virtually limitless and costs are comically low. They can rent airy studios, hire assistants, experiment in costly mediums like bronze and fiberglass.” Read more from New York Times

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Photo by TKGW

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Expat Winter Weather

Expats in the US to the UK to China and beyond are all dealing with bitter cold and winter storm. The Washington Post highlights some great winter weather photos. As the weather still remain cold and the forecast calls for more snow take a little time in the warmth of your office or home by your computer to enjoy the photos.

Read more from The Washington Post

Life as a Finnish Expat

All expats should be able to appreciate Sami Sillanpää’s article on Finnish Expats. Expats around the world are faced with many of the same challenges and happiness -higher standard of living, moving in a months time, children in school, friends leaving, learning a new culture, deciding to repatriate “Finnish migration statistics show an interesting trend. Those leaving Finland are primarily Finns. Immigrants are mainly foreigners. Moving out of the country accelerated when Finland joined the EU. In the 21st century economic globalisation accelerated, and a new wave of internationalisation swept over Finnish companies. When a Finnish company moves its factory to China or establishes a sales office in Brazil, Finns are desired there as managers - at least at first.Finnish expatriates sent abroad by the companies that they work for currently number between 20,000 and 30,000, says Anna Iskala, editor-in-chief of the journal Expatrium, aimed at Finns abroad.”

Read more from HELSINGIN SANOMAT

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Photo by Barman

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Copenhagen Summit

The Copenhagen Summit on climate talks is underway and not without controversy. Yesterday, the “Danish-text” created waves between developed and developing nations. For now talks continue between delegates as expats wait for the world leaders to gather next week. “The so-called “Danish text” was leaked yesterday and prompted an angry reaction from the G77 bloc of developing nations, which warned that its members would not sign an “inequitable” deal when the conference ends with a summit of world leaders next Friday… The text also came in for criticism on the floor of the conference, where a Singaporean activist, Amira Karim, won loud applause after attacking it for overturning and subverting normal UN principles. “This imposition without discussion is tantamount to carbon colonialism,” she declared.”

Read more from Times Online

Expats Rate Malaysian Taxi Drivers

Top Malaysian officials have come out to criticize Malaysia taxi drivers after an expat survey rated the drivers were the worst among 23 nations. The fear among government officials is that with this type of reputation it will influence expats and visitors in their choice of whether to go to Malaysia. “A top minister slammed Malaysia’s taxi drivers Wednesday, saying they were more of a problem for the tourism industry than the nation’s notoriously filthy toilets. … Complaints about taxis are common the world over, but it has become a hot topic in Malaysia where frustrations are vented on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.”

Read more from AFP

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