The curse of the traveller is to be at home everywhere, and yet nowhere.
I'm not sure if this is actually a (mis)quote, or something my brain invented by mis-remembering the meaning of another quote, but it seems more and more true lately. And it's a blessing as well as a curse. I can be at home everywhere. Many of my couchsurfing hosts have remarked on my skill at making myself quietly part of the household, and I am able to quickly familiarise myself with a new city, and learn the landmarks and interesting places. Friends in Zagreb have remarked that after a month or two I seem to know where everything is, and know lots of people.
But at the same time, I'm not really at home anywhere anymore. People ask me about Australia or Brisbane, and I have to admit that I don't know much anymore - it's nearly 2 years since I was last there, and I stopped reading australian news a long time ago (though I still listen to Triple J's Hack podcast).
Still, for now I'm happy as a wanderer, and the plan to make Montreal my base (because that's one place I did feel at home) will give me a home, and make explaining where I live, or where I'm 'from' a whole lot less confusing for people I meet!
Wednesday, March 25
At home everywhere, but nowhere.
Posted by Kat at 5:57 pm
Labels: philosophy, zagreb
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 Comment:
I think it's a good line, whether or not it's an accurate quote. And I think it's true even when you've only lived in two or three places, if you're a person who tends to make connections. The first time you move yourself away from your birthplace and make some friends elsewhere, you doom yourself to forever leaving bits of yourself somewhere else. But it's worth it, I think - and I'm happy to hear that you're still planning to come back to Montreal. :-)
Post a Comment