It is that time of the year in expat world. Somewhere someone decides somebody is desperately needed in someplace, but then that somebody has to be replaced so... somewhere someone is also needed in that farawayland and gets 'the' phone call.
It feels a little bit like a carousel slowly set in motion. At first the news of those who leave is like a dripping tap, but by the start of the summer holidays it is a flood of tears.
Depending on the flavour of the country and the personal feelings, some are sad to go, while others are sad to stay.
The husband will come home. "I have good news and bad news - what would you like to hear first"
The good news might be you are going, but excuse me 'where' are we going?
Or the good news might be where you go, but did you wanna leave?
Just as things were falling into its place and your friends were growing into extended family, all changes.
Mixed emotions are everywhere and the world map is lighting up a pinpoint for every new city that will be blessed with the appearance of some of your friends.
The network is set in motion. Everybody surely knows someone who used to live in 'farawyistan' or better they still live there. Here is the number/mail/sype/facebook.
Information is passed around and mails about where to live, what school to pick and what sports are reasonably accessable fly over the internet.
Trips are taken to this new 'noideawhereitis'city to 'look-and-see'.
It is very exciting to go on such a trip as it is the start of your new adventure. It is a treat for the two of you to be away for a couple of days to flavour the new. 'Noideawhereitis'city suddenly becomes a pinpoint on your map, and it changes to 'letsgothere'city in a matter of days. The trip is exhausting but adrenaline is flowing. You can conquer the world!
In merely three days you visit about 20 houses, 6 schools and meet new colleagues over diners at night. You smile and laught, you wonder if your n°1 can continue his swimming, and if n°2 will feel at home at that new school. You smile and laugh and make mental notes of things to take and things you can leave behind, things to do, things to ask, things to remember.
The ones that got the call are busy. The list of things they still want /need or must do before they go grows.
Goodbyes are everywhere but how many times can one say goodbye?
Regular friday playdates at the pool with your friends will soon be over, no more saturday tennisplays with your tennispartner and as for that bbq on sunday ... all changes.
Whether you are happy to go or not, wether you wanted to or not, in the end we all do it for that excitement and that feeling of adventure. That chance of new beginnings, that first smell of the new city you will call 'home'. The friends you will find but have not met yet...
Summer holidays are coming up soon, and they usually are a big relief after the extended goodbye parties. We will all go on holiday to our 'home'country and have a great time of meeting up with friends and family. The summer will be hot and full of long evenings in the garden or at the seaside. We will forget there is movement in the air.
But August comes and so does the start of the new school year. Moves happen, new friends are made, new cities wait to be discovered.
For those who do not move it is a wellcome home in your other 'home'country. Sounds and smells are familiar, roads are easy and schools know your name. Familiar faces will show up in class and best friends you do not know yet exist are waiting for you.
I love and hate this time of year. I love the feeling of exitement of the new that is hanging in the air, even if we are not the ones that move, but I hate the goodbyes (allthough I love the parties). I love the start of the school year though, as that is the part of the game we are really addicted to. The new, the undiscovered, the road untravelled.
I can start over again , every year- every city.
Xxx
Evelyn
It feels a little bit like a carousel slowly set in motion. At first the news of those who leave is like a dripping tap, but by the start of the summer holidays it is a flood of tears.
Depending on the flavour of the country and the personal feelings, some are sad to go, while others are sad to stay.
The husband will come home. "I have good news and bad news - what would you like to hear first"
The good news might be you are going, but excuse me 'where' are we going?
Or the good news might be where you go, but did you wanna leave?
Just as things were falling into its place and your friends were growing into extended family, all changes.
Mixed emotions are everywhere and the world map is lighting up a pinpoint for every new city that will be blessed with the appearance of some of your friends.
The network is set in motion. Everybody surely knows someone who used to live in 'farawyistan' or better they still live there. Here is the number/mail/sype/facebook.
Information is passed around and mails about where to live, what school to pick and what sports are reasonably accessable fly over the internet.
Trips are taken to this new 'noideawhereitis'city to 'look-and-see'.
It is very exciting to go on such a trip as it is the start of your new adventure. It is a treat for the two of you to be away for a couple of days to flavour the new. 'Noideawhereitis'city suddenly becomes a pinpoint on your map, and it changes to 'letsgothere'city in a matter of days. The trip is exhausting but adrenaline is flowing. You can conquer the world!
In merely three days you visit about 20 houses, 6 schools and meet new colleagues over diners at night. You smile and laught, you wonder if your n°1 can continue his swimming, and if n°2 will feel at home at that new school. You smile and laugh and make mental notes of things to take and things you can leave behind, things to do, things to ask, things to remember.
The ones that got the call are busy. The list of things they still want /need or must do before they go grows.
Goodbyes are everywhere but how many times can one say goodbye?
Regular friday playdates at the pool with your friends will soon be over, no more saturday tennisplays with your tennispartner and as for that bbq on sunday ... all changes.
Whether you are happy to go or not, wether you wanted to or not, in the end we all do it for that excitement and that feeling of adventure. That chance of new beginnings, that first smell of the new city you will call 'home'. The friends you will find but have not met yet...
Summer holidays are coming up soon, and they usually are a big relief after the extended goodbye parties. We will all go on holiday to our 'home'country and have a great time of meeting up with friends and family. The summer will be hot and full of long evenings in the garden or at the seaside. We will forget there is movement in the air.
But August comes and so does the start of the new school year. Moves happen, new friends are made, new cities wait to be discovered.
For those who do not move it is a wellcome home in your other 'home'country. Sounds and smells are familiar, roads are easy and schools know your name. Familiar faces will show up in class and best friends you do not know yet exist are waiting for you.
I love and hate this time of year. I love the feeling of exitement of the new that is hanging in the air, even if we are not the ones that move, but I hate the goodbyes (allthough I love the parties). I love the start of the school year though, as that is the part of the game we are really addicted to. The new, the undiscovered, the road untravelled.
I can start over again , every year- every city.
Xxx
Evelyn
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