April 2020: After a really long hiatus, Mia Musings is back again! I started this blog in 2013, as an ode to the rainbow nation and to capture the adventures of my Afrikaner pooch, Mia.
Joburg and South Africa gave me more than I had hoped for. The multi-culturalrism, the vibrancy, the warmth – Jozi and its people stole my heart. Exploring and discovering the beautiful city became my passion and I decided to share my life & experience with you via this blog.
Fast forwarding a few years – we moved to London in 2016. Work commitments and life took over and I decided to take a break from blogging. To be really honest, I felt that I wouldn’t be bringing anything new to my readers given that there are a million blogs about the UK!
In 2019, we moved to Paris, the world’s most romantic city I’m told! We lived there for a year and although it was tough in the beginning, the city grew on both Mia and me. Our time there was limited but that didn’t stop us from making the most of it. In the ‘Places lived – Paris’ section of the blog you can read all about it.
In June 2020, just as the Coronavirus situation began to ebb a little, we moved to Sweden. Currently in Stockholm, bringing you the best of Sweden! Keep reading…..
XX
Namrata
Mia Musings 
Thanks for following our blog – relocating isn’t something we’ve ever had to do so are intrigued to hear your stories especially as it includes a country we are yet to visit 🙂
Well relocation has its pros and cons….and fortunately we have had more pros than cons!!! You must visit SA….its a stunning place. Each place more beautiful than the other.
Hi Mia
I am a local and would love to get in touch with you. where in JHB do you live?
Hello Mia, could I please get an email address where I can get in touch with you. I am planning to move to Joburg for a year with my hubby and I am extremely confused regarding a few things. It would be great if we can get in touch.
I have come here two weeks ago from Delhi on an official assignment for two months. Your blog has been really a useful source for me. Thanks for writing this blog.
A warm Jozi welcome to you Jayasree. I am so glad that I’ve been of some help to you! Please feel free to contact me if you want to know anything about Joburg. Hope you enjoy your stay. It’s a lovely city.
Your blog is really helpful. I came here over a month ago on an official trip. too scared to go out by myself. Have no friends either whom i can bother for company 😦
I am glad you find my blog helpful. There is really nothing to be scared of..especially if you want to go to popular places like sandton or fourways. A good way of meeting people is through meetup.com. Just check out their joburg groups..many have coffee and movie plans. You will soon make friends 🙂 I went to a lot of them when I moved here. Wish you luck.
Thanks Mia 🙂 I made my first solo trip to Montecasino today.. Uber is like god sent application 😛
Thats great! Yes uber is indeed a great app…i use it too every now and then. How long are you here for?
I am here till Nov 20.. Will be back from Indian again in Jan..
India***
Hi Mia
Thanks for the blog follow – I look forward to reading yours. Relocation is something I have always wanted to do (as an adult anyway since technically I did so as a kid) so I’m curious about your experiences!
Kendra
Relocation brings out the best in you and the worst; its trying, annoying, frustrating but also exhilarating, intriguing and exciting. The move to SA has been challenging but I have loved every bit of it so far. Never a dull moment! Thanks for stopping by Kendra.
What a great intro MiaMusings. I’ll certainly be checking out your blog when we plan our trip to Africa (I hope in the next year or so).
Thank you for following our blog. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer.
Blessings,
Alison
Hey Namrata, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog and leading me to this lovely space of yours. Looks like we have much in common. 🙂 Your part of the world is absolutely on my travel wish-list. Hope to make it there soon. In the meanwhile I look forward to experiencing it vicariously through your blog 🙂
Welcome to the wild side Kan 😉 SA is breathtaking. I have had little chance of seeing the rest of Africa so far, but it’s all on my list too. We travellers and our lists! Hope you can make it sometime. I am sure you will love it.
Ahh yes, my husband is also a trailing spouse! But soon enough we will be back in Australia. I have always wanted to visit South Africa, and hopefully soon I will! Oh, and to answer your question, no I haven’t yet reached 30 by 30 – I have 4 more countries to go in less than two years!
Well I am sure you will manage to achieve your goal of 30 by 30! Here is wishing you all the best 🙂
Thank you!! Hopefully starting this blog will keep me motivated 🙂
Would love to sail with you! 🙂
Welcome on my journey!
An honest and beautiful bio !!
Following you with all my heart !! 🙂
Thank you Samjoth. Really appreciate it and hope you enjoy my stories.
You’re welcome and would go through your posts !! And hope to be in touch !!
I welcome you to my space, when you have your time !! See you !!
Hi Mia, so glad to have found a fellow travel lover, being a trailing spouse sounds pretty awesome! Look forward to reading about your adventures in SA. It’s a place I really want to go to!
Thanks Ting! But I am not sure I like being a trailing spouse much too often! It has a lot of pros and cons..
Sounds like you are having a great life out there!
Thanks for stopping by Rajiv. Read your post on beastie boys – agree completely
Thank you for that… I like your blog…
Hi Namatra, thanks for the follow. Your blog sounds really interesting – a really different perspective as an expat. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you girls! I really liked your blog and the way you three are running it! Really interesting stuff.
Hi! I love your expat blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂
Pleasure NP! The feeling is mutual 🙂
A wonderful, full-of-life blog 🙂
Thanks Rajiv. Appreciate the follow. Hope you enjoy reading my stories 🙂
My pleasure Namrata 🙂
I am sure I will 🙂
Glad you found me Namrata 😀
Your story is pretty cool!! South Africa must be amazing, I really want to go there someday!!
Nice to know that you also have a dog friend ❤
Lets keep in touch!!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Allane
Thanks Allane! SA is beautiful and friendly. You must visit sometime. You have a great wkend too.
Thank you dear!! It is definitely on my bucketlist!! Have a wonderful week!
Hi
Thanks so much for the follow. Your story is equally fascinating. Anyone who picks up and tries another country and culture is adventuresome and awesome as far as I am concerned. Don’t know if we’ll ever make Africa but a safari is absolutely on my bucket list of more expensive things to do in retirement; think it depends on how well our investments perform.
Cheers
Rob and Diane
Thanks for the sweet words Rodi! It has been an experience indeed and a very fascinating one at that. SA is a lovely country with very warm ppl. That makes life much easier in a foreign country I think. As for safaris…yes, you must definitely do one at least! Hope your investments perform so well that you have a fab retirement 🙂
wow…so blown away by your blog…I am here to stay hey! So much rainbow in your blog…well you live in the rainbow nation anyways so… 🙂
Thank you for the appreciation! I am so glad to know you like my blog. Hope you stop by soon 🙂
Hello, you got my attention with the “trailing spouse”. I have been a wee bit on the negative side but felt nice to read your writings! Wish you the best for your life!
Hi! Sad to know that you have been feeling so negative about your job situation. Trust me, if you let the negativity affect you, it will take you down. I know first hand about how you must feel – but it’s not the end of the world. Try and look for other things to keep busy while you keep applying for jobs. Maybe join an NGO or a club that suits your interests? I am sure you will find your dream job soon. Wish you all the best 🙂
Thanks for the boost! I sure am trying to keep busy! Hope for the best!
Hey there Mia! I’m doing a project where I’m following ten exciting, fresh, and interesting bloggers each day for the month of March 2015, and you’re today’s #3! Feel free to come visit me when you can at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com, and follow if you like what you read. Have a good one!
Pleased to meet you Mia. 🙂
Thanks Nomzi, its great you meet you too! Thanks for the follow. Hope you enjoy reading my blog.
Super. I do. Feel free to visit my blog too when you can. 🙂
Apologies for not having been able to stop by your blog yet Nomzi. I am usually not this umreciprocative! Thanks for the nudge though 🙂
You are most welcome Mia and thank you for stopping by. That was a lovely surprise. 🙂
As fellow re-locators I’m excited to follow your blog and learn more about South Africa, especially as it’s somewhere I’d love to explore more at some point. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Always great to discover fellow expat & travel blogs! Have lived in many places, but never made it to South Africa… At least not yet 😉 Stay safe!
Aah well here’s a travel plan waiting to be made!! Its a beautiful country so do add it to your list 🙂
Hi Namrata,
Thank you for following my blog.
Nominated you for an award. Check it out 🙂
https://acbistro2014.wordpress.com/2015/05/21/real-neat-blog-award/
Hi – I just came across your blog..I’ve been wanting to travel to SA for a long time now so glad I discovered you. Looking forward to reading about your travels, which it looks like there are a lot of :).
Oh thanks Fifi. I hope you do get a chance to visit SA soon. Its an amazing country with loads to offer. Thanks for following my blog. Hope to keep you entertained! Will check out your’s too.
Hi,
I’ve included you for a no-obligation challenge!
http://movingtowardsthelight.com/2015/06/13/if-you-are-a-quote-lover-day-2/
Very interesting life and love what makes you tick! I would love to follow and see your interesting life!
Great to come across Mia Musings. Always good to find people on similar journeys. Look forward to following more. A fellow blogger who muses. 😉
Thanks for the article on How to get a Critical Skills Visa in South Africa. I am in the process of applying for one and would like your input on step number 7 of your article where you talk of the cover letter. Would you by any chance be able to provide me with a sample or the one that you submitted so that i can have an idea of what they need. I would hate it if my application fails because of something I was once hinted about. My email address is godfreysithole1@gmail.com . Hope to hear from you at your convenience.
Hi Godfrey, I am glad my article is helpful. In terms of the cover letter, unfortunately I don’t have a copy. I was a simple letter that clearly stated the purpose of my application – mentioning the critical skills category I was applying under. This is NOT a necessity but I was advised to include it after my application failed the first time. A lot of people have received the visa without this letter.
Wish you all the best!