A Global Citizen

Both Lost Jonny and Ying ask what i mean by self-defining as a Global Citizen.

Although acutely aware of my formative years spent in England, not least by my varying London accents, I can, at a push say i´m English. But i´m not really. My grandparents were born in four separate countries in Europe. Stand-up and marathon runner extraordinaire, Eddie Izzard says he defines as a European, but i´m not that either, i´m much more global. Spending years out of Europe in Asia and South America i have affinity to each of these continents.

Take a look through my contacts on Facebook and i am linked to some 400 people located in more than 40 countries on five continents.

My English is quite good; i speak pigeon Spanish, and can be understood in Bahasa, and Cantonese. I can even understand some basic stuff in French. We are all multilingual to a varying extent.

I have three blood brothers, but other brothers too, from Indonesia, Pakistan, India and now indeed Haiti.

Africa marks the 7th continent for me to travel. I am a global citizen.

A Global Citizen

Many define themselves through their nationality, most especially when travelling abroad. It is often the first question visitors to India are asked.

That whacky and creative English comedian and actor Eddie Izzard self-defines as a European, something that is maybe more prevalent in western continental Europe, but still pretty unusual.

I´m also feeling very global at the moment. I have become very aware of my own India developed mannerisms – the over-politeness, the continual smile on my face, my differential head-shake.

Friends from around the World (on six continents), some of which i have never met in person, share chat, emails and love throughout the day and night. Special and impossible to imagine 10 years ago.

I am not a Watfordonian or English or even European for that matter, I am a global citizen.

I gotta get out of here soon – i´m turning into an old hippie!