But first let me explain something I get asked about a lot.
Most frequently asked question ever: Why the heck do I live here?!
Answer: Because Europe is awesome, duh!
Just kidding. I mean Europe is awesome! But moving here had something do with my mom. I mean we moved when I was 16, so it's not like I alone just packed up and said, 'sayonara!' (or I guess in this case Auf Wiedersehen would be more appropriate).
Answer: Because Europe is awesome, duh!
Just kidding. I mean Europe is awesome! But moving here had something do with my mom. I mean we moved when I was 16, so it's not like I alone just packed up and said, 'sayonara!' (or I guess in this case Auf Wiedersehen would be more appropriate).
Maybe I kinda had my head in the clouds, because my general impression of Europe pre-moving was all fancy baroque apartments and champagne parties (maybe I spent too much time in Paris?). When we got here, I hadn't realized that Europe is still a part of real life, like with job searches and homework and people who don't like you.
So a lot of Germans ask me this second famous question: which is better? America or Germany?
I used to say Germany 100%, but having lived here now for around 19 months, I've gotten to see positive and not-as-positive things. I always felt somehow uncomfortable in America, like I wasn't actually a real 'American'. I think I feel more German (surprise everyone!), but I love American things I grew up with, like diners and 24-hour supermarkets (who doesn't love an ice cream run at 2 in the morning?).
Bavaria, Munich especially, also has its endearing things you don't find elsewhere. Oktoberfest is one of them (are you counting how many times I mention Oktoberfest on this blog? 12 more days!). There's more to Munich than just that of course. I mean where else in the world can you have a breakfast consisting of white sausage, soft pretzels, and wheat beer (delicious!)? And where, tell me, in the western world can you see people walking around in traditional dress on any day of the week, just because? (although the because part a lot of the time has something to do with beer).
Bavaria, Munich especially, also has its endearing things you don't find elsewhere. Oktoberfest is one of them (are you counting how many times I mention Oktoberfest on this blog? 12 more days!). There's more to Munich than just that of course. I mean where else in the world can you have a breakfast consisting of white sausage, soft pretzels, and wheat beer (delicious!)? And where, tell me, in the western world can you see people walking around in traditional dress on any day of the week, just because? (although the because part a lot of the time has something to do with beer).
I used to ask a German friend of mine in America which place she preferred (though she was not Bavarian). She simply told me, "I don't know which I prefer. There are problems everywhere. Me, I am just homeless."
And welcome to the glamorous life of an expat. Because now I know exactly what she meant, and it's exactly how I feel today. Once you start living in different places around the world, you either realize clearly where your home is, or that you have none at all, subject to the endless wandering and discovery of new treats in new places.
Personally, I always feel fabulous after a trip to Italy. But who wouldn't after a week or so of carbonara al dente and gelato and saying 'ciao'?!
I hope everyone had a great weekend. It's Tuesday, which is good because tomorrow is Wednesday and that means we're almost already halfway to the weekend! It's never too early to celebrate the coming of a Saturday [night]. (I once had a friend who always used to say her birthday was coming up, even if it was 9 months away- she knew what's up!)
Schönen Nachmittag everyone!
India
Music for the midday: Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi(ft. MGMT & Ratatat)
Personally, I always feel fabulous after a trip to Italy. But who wouldn't after a week or so of carbonara al dente and gelato and saying 'ciao'?!
I hope everyone had a great weekend. It's Tuesday, which is good because tomorrow is Wednesday and that means we're almost already halfway to the weekend! It's never too early to celebrate the coming of a Saturday [night]. (I once had a friend who always used to say her birthday was coming up, even if it was 9 months away- she knew what's up!)
Schönen Nachmittag everyone!
India
Music for the midday: Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi(ft. MGMT & Ratatat)
Finding where home is is what you have to figure out, the unique issue of someone with dual nationalities. Sure, it's an enviable problem. For you it seems clear cut, either the U S of A or Germany.
ReplyDelete"Once you start living in different places around the world, you either realize clearly where your home is, or that you have none at all, subject to the endless wandering and discovery of new treats in new places."
After 7 months of wandering and discovery of places all new to me, I have returned to where I used to call home. I found that it felt more like home while I was away. During my time abroad, apart from being in new countries every week or so, my idea of home became so fictionalised and that when I finally returned, it wasn't how I thought, or even what it once was.
You'll always miss America, but you'll always miss Germany too. Home is where you are, never somewhere else.