Well I’ve away a month – the longest time I’ve ever spent out of the UK – so I figure it’s time to reflect on the question I posed before I left… was I ready?
Physically & materially yes, the things I miss (my friends, my duvet, my high heels, dairy products) I could never have bought with me. Mentally & emotionally though, no I wasn’t ready. I guess I never could have been, and maybe this mental & emotional challenge is one of the things I was seeking when I decided to work abroad, but still I didn’t think it would be so big, so shocking or so draining.
I don’t know if it’s homesickness, but I crave normality… familiarity. Perhaps this would be true in any new job/house/town but add a new language/culture/morays and some days it is all too much. I hope that in time Flores will become normal, many things are already familiar but in a weird kinda way. But I’ve only got a year (actually only 11 months now). I don’t think I’m gonna quit, but I hope I settle enough soon to really make the most of this experience.
10 comments:
Things will start to feel 'normal' I'm sure! Just givr it time. You never know when you are back you may even be craving 'dog'!(I'll keep Hooch well away from you!)
Stick it out mate!
We are all so proud!!!!
Gem x
Well, tried for the controversy reaction in previous blogs, now are we looking for the sympathy vote ???
Come on!! Where's our strong minded independent daughter gone? Very early 'doors', as they say. We have every faith in you, so cheer up!
Anyway, glad to see you're not missing your family!!
Hugs from Mundesley xx
I'm definitely with your mum there. Most of us would kill for the opportunity of eating a dog. Anyway, I had to eat black pudding when I first arrived to the UK.
Actually, I wonder if you can make black pudding from a dog meat/blood, etc.
Sounds like you are doing fine though, nothing unusual about being homesick. In fact you don’t need to feel homesick. Things have changed here during the past month: there are millions of giant moths flying everywhere, and because there are so many moths, the numbers of vampire bats have nearly quadrupled. And now the bats have introduced this strange disease … I just don’t know… it’s like a living hell.
So…. Yeah… can’t write any more… too weak….at least I know you are safe…
George/
Normality - now there's a thing!Defined by....? Meetings that go nowhere really.....? Getting older, fatter and more middle aged every day? And talking less and less sense?
Flores has got to be better than that.
Lots of love.
Sharon xxx
One thing you need to remember is that 'normality/familiarity' is waiting for you on the other side.
11 months to go is not a lot of time, once you are back you will be planning your next big challenge.
Enjoy the life you have now because very few experience the chance to see the flip side of the coin.
Its a healthy experience! :)
Regards,
Vishal
We're all thinking of you! It was Sarah's goodbye/birthday the other day and Rosie, Sophy, Haf, Sarah B & I were all suitably impressed by your culinary moxy.
Hang-in there, I'm sure everything will seem much more normal v soon, and if you need any incentive to stay, just try durian!
Plus, give one of us your address and you'll soon get a literary care package thanks to Kensington Oxfam Bookship.
Loads of love from Patla and all us IB lot.
I'm sure you'll feel right at home in a few more weeks - you haven't been there that long at all and it must be a massive culture shock! I don't know how I would be getting on (although I know for sure I wouldn't have eaten any dog.....or weird bony fish either for that matter!) Have you tried any other weird foods? We've been thinking of you when we've met up for dinner recently and noticed the empty chair at the table!
Anyway, the photos of Flores look lovely and I must say you are pulling off the "demure/covered up" look very well!
Books and chocolate will be on their way to you very soon!
love, Rosiexxxx
Ingat kamu! It's hell. It's the loneliest thing in the world, to be somewhere you don't yet know how to be you comfortably. It does get easier (but that's about as much help as someone telling you it just takes time to get over a relationship). Aduh. I think it makes the special moments more intense but they can be few and far between. Take care of you, okay? Kamu berani sekali.
x Kathryn
hi karen- so I am headed to Flores as a VSO volunteer in February and fell upon your blog in a google search...i live in san francisco, ca usa...would love your email...thank you for writing about your experiences it is actually helping me confirm my decision to go to indonesia...here is my email if you actually check your comments..billtabler@yahoo.com.
cheers,
bill
Thanks for all your encouraging comments guys :-)
Internet hasn't been working here (internet cafe hit by lightning... likely to be out for a couple of months) but have finally managed to connect from home so normal communications should now be resumed!
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