Leaving Britain after 13 years and moving back to Italy. I thought it would be more traumatic than it has proved to be. I missed the sun, the Mediterranean foodstuffs and it is such a change of pace to have moved to a 50k city from the pandemonium that is London.
When I left 13 years ago I was younger, more excited at the prospect of career and UK felt like a step ahead. Now I grew up, grew to hate cities, corporate life and found Italy a healthier and happier country for the next chapter. Also, a very underrated thing not many expats talk about, I missed not feeling like a stranger, an immigrant, a fish out of water. That’s a background emotion that never goes away, however integrated and fluent in the local culture you are.
As someone who also abandoned London a few years ago, I think that any 'place' (town/city/village.. well city) over 2m population is unlivable. Unless someone lives in a super-green (mini forests, parks, etc.) area, has everything within 10-15mins driving (work, home, shopping mall, swimming pool, gym, etc.)
Anything from 50k to 2m will have all that you need (galleries, cinemas, etc.)
I know I can google this or ask an llm but I want to know your opinion.. can you give 5-10 examples of places you mean (5-10 so you don't have to give away your location)?
I went across France and Spain then crossed in Tarifa. It's a 1 hour ferry trip. There is no way to do it on land due to border issues. Algeria and Morocco have closed their land border a while ago, for example.
Best memory? Having a friend as a passenger for a week in the most interesting part of the route. I wouldn't count the endless stream of breathtaking landscapes as a single memory, but I saw a lot of beauty from the saddle.
Worst memory? Ruminating on personal drama back home, and possibly fracturing my sternum by slipping in the mud and falling.
I went rock climbing, took some hikes, lifted weights. I watched some YouTube and Netflix, read a newspaper, finished one book and started on another, worked on a side project. Went to a cafe and sat around drinking lattes and playing a mobile game (Pokemon Go). Did laundry, cooked dinners.
Lots of running (Set a new 10K PB last week, I'm slowly getting faster)
Lots of climbing
Musical Festival.
Cocktails with friends.
Some time working through a book on Elixir.
Watching F1 and NBA playoffs.
Playing through Dragon age Veilguard (despite feeling its a massive dissapointment), and not a proper Dragon Age game :(
Well the last month - went to DC on vacation, last week flew to Atlanta for a surprise birthday party and to see my adult (step)son and then flew to South GA and I’m currently spending a week with my parents.
When I left 13 years ago I was younger, more excited at the prospect of career and UK felt like a step ahead. Now I grew up, grew to hate cities, corporate life and found Italy a healthier and happier country for the next chapter. Also, a very underrated thing not many expats talk about, I missed not feeling like a stranger, an immigrant, a fish out of water. That’s a background emotion that never goes away, however integrated and fluent in the local culture you are.
Anything from 50k to 2m will have all that you need (galleries, cinemas, etc.)
On the Q at hand, reading, fasting, writing.
Best and worst memories of the trip?
Best memory? Having a friend as a passenger for a week in the most interesting part of the route. I wouldn't count the endless stream of breathtaking landscapes as a single memory, but I saw a lot of beauty from the saddle.
Worst memory? Ruminating on personal drama back home, and possibly fracturing my sternum by slipping in the mud and falling.
I went rock climbing, took some hikes, lifted weights. I watched some YouTube and Netflix, read a newspaper, finished one book and started on another, worked on a side project. Went to a cafe and sat around drinking lattes and playing a mobile game (Pokemon Go). Did laundry, cooked dinners.
Playing through Dragon age Veilguard (despite feeling its a massive dissapointment), and not a proper Dragon Age game :(
Usual regimen of exercise.