Kentville, Canada
I guess it was a bit of a cliffhanger when I wrote such a negative post about coming home. I was definitely experience after travel depression.
I have now been in my childhood town for a few weeks and as expected things have been much better.
I haven’t lived here for over a decade but I always find staying with my family to be quite grounding.
No one expects me anything of me, they don’t want me to move home, they just want me to be happy.
And my time here always leaves me feeling rejuvenated, knowing I have such a great family who believes in me.
At first I thought I would be ambitious and travel throughout my province and discover new things. But I wasn’t ready for that.
I didn’t have the heart for it.
So instead I have been doing absolutely nothing. Well I guess more than nothing.
I’m embracing routine.
I have joined a gym, started reading again, am cooking all the meals in my family and took on a 30-day meatless challenge. I enjoy not wearing flip flops in the shower, having a bed without a bunk above me, taking our dog for a walk.
Yesterday I went out berry picking with my family. First we went to a raspberry patch where I was able to speak to the foreman from Mexico in Spanish (and also had a townie mistake me for being Mexican) and then went over to a blueberry u-pick where they encourage you to leave with a blue tongue.
It’s just simple, little things that are making me happy.
Today we’re celebrating my mother’s birthday with afternoon patio cocktails. After all it’s research for the best cocktails around the world.
It’s nice to be home.
I don’t know how I really feel about Toronto. With some distance it feels less raw but still confusing. I have decided to let it go and just embrace time at home. And while I know I don’t belong here, it still feels like home.
Soon I’ll be ready to travel again. And I better be because I just booked a one-way flight to London!
I think one of the best feelings is when you know that nothing is expected of you. It urges me to achieve even more because I know no one is judging me.
simplicity is more magical even than bacon lol Those blueberries look tasty!
I’m glad that you booked that flight. I’m an enthusiastic believer in being very aware of what’s going on around you. Everywhere has something or other going for it, but with familiar places we stop looking. I’m glad you didn’t do what I did (twice!), panic and settle for any old job!
This sounds amazing. As you know, I’ve been having kind of a rough time working too much, etc. Having a month to spend at home with the fam to do “nothing” sounds like a dream! I totally get the so-no-home, but most definitely home thing. Can’t wait to see Europe through your eyes!
sometimes why we travel is to be able to appreciate the simple~ good life,,i am happy for you that you have a loving family you can enjoy.
Coming back home (the real home) is always a great experience, grounding and relaxing.
Even though I live in a country far away from my parents, in a different culture and different lifestyle which I love, it’s always a great pleasure to come back home and reconnect with your old self.
Good luck in London!
I imagine that many families would badger someone to move home for good. It’s cool that yours is so supportive.
Thank you for sharing your feelings…I can understand and relate what you are saying. Sometimes it just takes time to settle into “you” especially after a change like that.
I love coming home for a little while…3 weeks tops. Then I get antsy. My family, while supportive, are very close to each other and can’t understand why I choose to travel like I do. Just the other night on skype, while talking to my mom and telling her I missed her, my aunt chimes in “if you missed her so much you would come home”. My mom understands and is always supportive of me. So I see both sides, but having that support helps so much. I do feel so alien when I am home though, which is why I decided to live on the road full time. It’s hard missing birthdays and other special occasions, but I have to live for me. Your mom and sis came to visit you in SA. So they rock for sure. Now to get my mom over here to Chiang Mai….
I’m back in my hometown right now too. It’s great to sit around with the family and relax. Taking a short vacation from my extended vacation. 🙂
Glad to see you’re heading back out. Relax and enjoy your time with family. Then get out of Toronto before winter hits. I don’t know if London winters are better, but they can’t be worse.
Looking forward to your European adventures.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in London! 🙂
Coming home to family that loves you is like walking into a giant pillow hug. It’s the best.
I’m happy that you’ve gotten rejuvenated from the time with your family.
You ladies look like you’re enjoying yourselves.
Cool to hear that Ayngelina! After traveling for a long period of time, it is the small things of being stable that can really stand out – like not wearing flip flops in the show. It’s been so long since I’ve had a fresh blueberry, that sounds amazing!
I’ll suffer from travel depression after a one-week trip, so I can imagine that you felt quite depressed after returning from such a long one. But whether it’s a short trip or a long trip, it’s easy to find things about home to appreciate that you just can’t find on the road.
Your home looks nice, Ayngelina. Really like that first photo.
Glad you are settling into being home and enjoying the downtime and simplicity. After spending 2 months with my inlaws in Japan I had just about as much “simplicity” as I needed 🙂
Congratulations on your meatless challenge!
Nice that you’re enjoying time at home with family. That’s not something to be taken for granted. The photo of Kentville area looks beautiful, but the best is your cocktails on the patio pic.
God – i just loved that you booked a one way ticket!! I wonder if I’ll ever have the courage to be able to do that?
…and i love the random phone booth photo in the field!!! awesome!
Sounds lovely! I think that people forget though that you can still “travel” within your home city. Sounds like you’ve been having some adventures…
Such a touching post. I felt the same way (and still do) when we returned from a month in Colorado.
Lovely photos too 🙂
After traveling in South Am for three winters and coming home and feeling blah I made my bliss list, my favorite things in life. At the top was photography, scuba diving, and traveling in Latin America. Decided I needed to figure out how to make money at one of those so I could do the other ones. Went back to school for photography and now I live in Cozumel, Mx. Write out your bliss list and follow it to the end of your days and you’ll always be happy. 🙂 Have a great time in Europe!
Have a great time in London! 🙂
First off, Kentville caught my eye as my mother lives in Hall’s Harbour. Secondly, I am sure there is a huge comedown when one returns from prolonged travels. There is bound to be. But I am looking forward to hearing about your new travels, when they start!
You’re so lucky to have such a supportive family. So glad to hear you are finding some time to just enjoy and relax before your next trip. We all need to stop and recharge at least once a year. Wishing you well!
Thanks Jeanette, I have been using all of your recipes!
Sometimes, going home is just what the doctor ordered.
I’m really glad being home and having a semblance of routine is helping you get over your after-travel depression. Sounds like you’ve got a great family to go home to!
Yeah my family is pretty special. I know a lot of people dread going home or only have so much tolerance but I think they are wonderful and love spending time with them.
Heya Aynge, enjoy the precious moments and I am sure you are going to have a great time in London.
Glad you’re feeling better! Good luck on your European adventure!
Hi Ayngelina! Are you still around Toronto/Ontario somewhere? I’m in London (Ontario), who knows w can meet up 🙂
I will be back in Toronto September 23-28, are you around?
I’m actually looking forward to routine again so can completely understand where you’re coming from!
There’s no place like home i also visit my howntown, me and my family enjoy the road trip.
i couldn’t help but smile. i can totally relate!
i love this post, full of raw and sincere emotions.
ps. that red phone booth shot is so NatGeo worthy!
Aygnelina, you are SO CLOSE. Come up to St. John’s and VISIT ME!
Oh my gosh! Now *THAT* is a cliffhanger, hun.
First of all, I’m so glad you’re feeling better now that you’re home. I knew time with your family would help you to relax and feel at ease and comfortable again. 🙂
And second of all, WHY? All my favourite bloggers who were in Latin America are now heading to my home country as I’m about to land in Latin America. Craziness!
Oh hello Paddy’s and your lovely summer patio. I’m so jealous. I do miss home. Lots of love and enjoy the sweet peace. xoxo
I just returned from several days at my family home (after being away for 3 years — we met up in interesting places “in between” during those years) and realized that I miss their home, but I still don’t like the place they live. I thought I must be losing my mind, but now I see that I’m not the only one with conflicted feelings about “home.”
Woot woot! Europe, here comes Ayngelina. 😉
It’s so nice to hear that being back home has been a positive experience. Sometimes routine is very nice. Take it all in as much as you can, before you hit the road again. 😉
I always find it’s a bit strange going home as well. I haven’t lived in my mom’s house since highschool so it’s “home” but it’s not “home” at the same time.
That’s exactly how I feel. I’ll never stay but it feels so comfortable.
Home is like a piece of memory. It is part of the past after you have moved out for college. It certainly feels warm and cozy at times when you return. (but really, living under parents’ rules again? Not for me XD)
Enjoy your short stop at home and have fun in London!!
Oh yeah at 34 I’m sure my mother is happy to have me home and happy to have me leave!
Love those connections with people who remind us of where we’ve been, esp when you can cross a language barrier. Think they appreciate it too! One of the reasons I love travel 🙂
Sometimes doing nothing is just what the dr. ordered.
Remember the meditation mantra:
“Don’t just do something. Sit there!”
Safe travels,
Nancy
I love the poetic feel of the English phone booth sitting in the midst of the vineyard.
I loved it too, just in the middle of nowhere.
i’ve been thru this stages a couple of times, the 1st time dealing with reverse culture shock was difficult.. guess it gets easier after every time you travel and go back again