An Anniversary That Did Not Go Completely Unnoticed

A few days back an important anniversary date for our family passed by without much celebration.

Three years ago, we left Delhi for Hong Kong. Six years ago, we left London for Delhi.

Two huge decisions and important decisions. Add to that the anniversary from earlier this year – ten years since leaving Sydney.

I guess that’s the life of a “global nomad.” There’s plenty of pain mixed in the the joy looking back on those moves. I’ve learnt some important lessons in that time, like living with less, travelling lighter, focussing on work that is portable and learning to adapt to different cultures.

But, moving in the expat world we have been in, at least for the past six years has not always been a smooth ride. Compared to our home cultures in Sydney (or London, for that matter) the expat world is still very patriarchal, traditional (in the sense of men work women change their name and stay home) and all to often very parochial and downmarket (a world of rubgy tops and Rod Stewart concerts).

I miss friends, I miss family, I miss knowing, at least in part, what my future would look like. I’m much better at being productive on a day to day basis, but I still struggle to get my head around big projects.

I certainly don’t want to stay here in Hong Kong too long. This town is not without some charms and a lot of conveniences. But, I long for a city where I can walk, where there is a real and vibrant choice of things to do besides shop and eat and where, to be blunt, I can keep two guitar cases open at the same time.

In fact, surprisingly, the lack of space is perhaps the most tiring aspect of life here. We have, by local standards, a very comfortable apartment; although it is staggeringly small compared to anywhere else we have ever lived. I’m accustomed to smaller working spaces, but that has usually been traded off with decent storage and some sort of “workshop.”

All of which, is a way of saying I’m becoming quite clear about things I would like when we we leave this town, wherever we settle next.