Homecoming

The journey home was as surreal as arriving. Three flights, and almost twenty four hours of travel. The twelve hour leg between Frankfurt and Singapore was easy. Being an empty flight, I stretched out across three seats and closed my eyes. I may have even slept an hour. The eight hour stretch from Singapore to Sydney wasn't quite as comfortable. The whole journey, I had the sensation of leaving home, rather than returning to it. As much as Summer beckoned, and my cat was waiting for me, there was an odd sense of being in limbo, between two countries to which I belong.

I have immense gratitude for my friends in Sydney. Alex, who drove from Wollongong to meet me at the airport, and rescued my cat and home twice in my absence. Caitlin and Ty, for minding my car, for hosting me and Alex, for taking us to a cafe with the best smashed avocado I've ever eaten in my life! On it's own it was delicious, but after twenty four hours of airplane food, it was gourmet heaven.
I've met Sonya and retrieved my clothes from storage, and was gifted a succulent which I promise to try and keep alive this time. I sent an SOS to Mitch

and Rob, who took me out for dinner that Friday night, when I was too tired and overwhelmed to cook.

My home was not as expected. Rather than dwell on the mess left behind, I have spent a week cleaning, and am choosing to focus on the opportunity I was given to spend four fabulous months in Scotland. My rent was paid, my cat is well, and I've hired a professional cleaner to assist me.

There are familiarities which seem odd. Cash looks different, I keep waiting for the sunshine and warmth to disappear. The jacarandas are blooming, and the landscape is so vividly Australian. Rami has settled back into his usual affectionate self, and as I unpack my stored belongings, most are being passed on to friends and charities. I've learned that I have far too many possessions.

What was the purpose of it all? What else did I learn?
Firstly, that I can, and I did. All the doubt, the fear, and uncertainty, have been replaced with a solid "I DID IT!". I did it. I've become one of those people who looked at life and said, "this is not good enough,", and went to find more. "More" could have been anything - a change of career, of home, of lifestyle. For me, it was a long term dream to travel and experience Scotland. Mission accomplished.

Secondly, people are kind and generous. The hospitality, friendship and welcomes extended to me over there were heartwarming. I've had both friends and strangers go out of their way to help me. Although I may forget many of the sights I've seen, I will always remember the kindness extended to me by friends, family and complete strangers.

I hope the conclusion to all of this is one of change. I'm currently searching for a new form of work. There are plans in place to return to writing, painting and music. If creativity is central to happiness, then work-life balance needs to change. Exploring other countries isn't an option every single time life gets boring. I'm also investigating volunteer work, and hoping to use my skills as a naturopath and nutritionist to help communities who don't have access to those services. Travel has put a few things in perspective, and affirmed other ideas, which began as niggling thoughts in the back of my head.

For now, I'm home in Wollongong, Australia. It's warm, the sun is shining. Rami is purring at the end of the bed, and I'm ready to start again.