Tale of Two Cities

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It seems that I am an expat caught between my two loves, Sydney and Mersin.  I have always felt distinctly at home in Mersin but returning to Sydney, my homeland, has brought back dwindling thoughts, self doubt and mixed feelings.

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I definitely loved my time in Sydney and Daughter and I hit the ground running.  We found ourselves with a frantic social life during our visit and it became increasingly difficult to fit in all my friends when I had to share my precious, precious time with Daughter and all of her social activities.  I swear since stepping off the plane her damn mobile did not stopped beeping, buzzing or ringing with her friends constantly arranging visits, movies, lunches, sleepovers and any other activity that you can think of. The squeals and “Oh. My. God’s” that I have had to endure has been soul numbing.  I guess I don’t really notice the squeals and “Oh. My. God’s” when they are in Turkish.

Fitting everything in required precision timing.  Morning, lunch and evening slots were allocated.  Daughter likened this “holiday” to a business trip with us running from one meeting to another.  I have missed out on catching up with a few friends that I really wanted to see and I quickly realised that 3 weeks in Sydney is just is not enough time.  Friends that live on the other side of Sydney or friends that live just up the coast missed out and I feel incredibly sad.  I am thinking of two of my friends in particular right now but honestly we just ran out of time. Plus I got sick.  I am still sick.  Damn flu. Damn sickness.  Damn it!

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Have I had my bacon?  Yep.  Practically every day.  I think I have put on 4 kilos.  It feels like 8 kilos.  We did have a bacon situation that practically caused an international incident at a restaurant in The Rocks that caused Daughter to update her Facebook status thusly:

Made with Repix (http://repix.it)

We have also done a few touristy things which is nice.  It reminds me just how wonderful Sydney is.  It reminds me just how much I miss this beautiful city.

Sydney

It has been a frantic few weeks.  It has been a wonderful few weeks.  Early breakfasts, brunches and lunches, dinners and sleepovers.  I could go on.  It has been impossibly fun.  I need to go home to Mersin for a holiday from our holiday.

Now our time in Sydney has just about come to an end.  I am becoming increasingly forlorn and not just because I cannot fit everything into our suitcases.  I just want one more lunch, one more drink, one more chorus.   I am an expat torn between two loves.

 

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11 thoughts on “Tale of Two Cities”

  1. I hear ya… Even after 14+ years that feeling of belonging in two or more places doesn’t go away. Nor does the need to plan holidays with military precision until you just abandon the attempt altogether and simply tell people where you are and have them come to you. 😉

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  2. I hear ya too! It feels like the transition between two homes gets both easier and more difficult with every trip. Also, I agree with just telling people where you are and letting them come to you. Then again, that may be easier said than done when you have a daughter to consider. Anyway, safe travels! I’m a teensy bit jealous that you will be back in Turkey so soon. I still have another 43 days!

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  3. Oh oh oh, does this post ever resonate with me — and probably every expat who reads it. It does get a little easier over the years, but the longing to be in two places at once doesn’t ever truly go away.

    I agree with wanderingbrit — have your friends come to you.

    And I’m so glad to read you had your bacon fix … and I loved your daughter’s status update!! 🙂

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  7. I envy you living in such an exotic place as Turkey, Jane, but then home is good too, as you say. Three weeks would not be long enough to see everyone in Sydney but it sounds like you had a great time. Have a wonderful time in Dubai, too.

    I have just had three weeks in Sydney, myself – it is such a glamorous city! Thanks for stopping by and reading my posts, Jane! All the best! 🙂

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