Joe_Puntoni's VirtualTourist Home Page

First I have to say that I will be constantly working on this page. I have to scan all my old photos, so it takes a lot of time to put up photos from the places I have already been to up. My camera and all the lenses were recently nicked and I am just now replacing them, so new photos should start arriving here soon.

I have lived in Düsseldorf since July 2007, and have to say I love the city. However, I have a new job offer, so will be moving away soon!

Just a little about me:

Was born in the United States at the end of the 1970s, so grew up in midwest America in the 80s. Not much to say about it. Nothing to do and few opportunities.

So after I finished High School, I went to do an engineering degree and during my studies I did a year in the UK (Bristol) and a summer in Russia (Moscow).

Once my degree was finished, I wanted to leave North America forever and immigrate abroad. Not just go and work abroad for a few years as an 'expat' but to move forever and start a new life. In other words an immigrant.

I moved to Germany because I got a job in Marketing in NRW in September 2002. I learned German and lived there for just over 2 years working for an agricultural company. The most time was spent in Harsewinkel but I lived in Wiefelstede (Niedersachsen) for 7 months. The bottom fell out of the economy and the company had to get rid of peole, including me. I couldn't find a new job in Germany, and after searching for a year I accepted one with another company in the UK.

I lived and worked in Marketing in Coventry from November 2004 to June 2007.

Whilst the job was fun and I got to travel throughout Europe on business, I didnt want to start a life in Coventry or stay in the UK, so I looked elsewhere.

I decided to make a career change and go into technical translation, since there was such a high demand and so few people who could do the job. I too a job in Düsseldorf in August 2007 and have been doing technical translation since.

My biggest hobbies are travelling, photography, and languages/culture. That means I can use VT as a way to induldge these!