In this solo episode of Away We Go We Go, Jordan opens up about navigating the holiday season as an expat in France, from the unexpected quiet of celebrating Thanksgiving abroad to the warmth of carving out new rituals as a family. He shares a peek into their recent holiday weekend—enjoying rare downtime while the twins were in school, exploring nearby towns, savoring great meals, and soaking up small moments of rest while Sophie battles some voice and sinus issues.

Jordan reflects on the emotional side of spending the holidays away from familiar traditions, touching on nostalgia, FOMO, and the surprising ways memories resurface. He compares U.S. holiday staples with French customs like Noël feasts, bûche de Noël, and the Provençal “13 Desserts,” and talks about how expats adapt by blending old and new traditions—Friendsgiving, local dishes, and rituals that help them feel connected despite distance. He also dives into the deeper identity questions expats wrestle with: belonging, staying grounded through uncertainty, and finding pride and gratitude in choosing a path that’s challenging, unconventional, and deeply rewarding.

The episode closes with an honest look at how living abroad shapes personal resilience, relationships, and family life—especially raising toddlers while far from home—and Jordan invites listeners to share their own stories of how they honor traditions, create new ones, and find meaning during the holidays while living away from their home country.

Keywords: expat life, holidays abroad, Thanksgiving abroad, Christmas in France, Provence Christmas markets, Les Treize Desserts, Friendsgiving, living abroad, homesickness, cultural traditions

Links:

• www.czgalerie.com
• https://agastache-restaurant.fr/
• https://grenache-aix.eatbu.com/?lang=fr
• https://open.spotify.com/artist/2DuHHTBRgNc3KNNNaQdooH?si=4RWScv4RQSiums54XW1Ghg

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-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-