December 29, 2023 by Cassandra Johnson (Merida, MX)
I sat in my very long layovers from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Merida, Mexico, being in Chicago and Houston respectively, and thought I can’t wait to get home. Home? I then realized this just meant the next place I would live for a while and not a place I had even been before. This perspective was surprising and very true since where I was traveling to was not necessarily permanent and was only first introduced to me through my love of Sortilegio. Coincidentally.
Understandably, home naturally once meant somewhere I was already comfortable and to which I would be returning.
Suddenly realizing I could not wait to be here in Merida now felt the same as looking forward to settling back in somewhere and feeling comfortable and satisfied again. I could rest and explore. The feeling resonated especially with my flight ticket being open-ended. This is a very homey feeling. I do not expect to move here but recently, one-ways have meant not necessarily feeling the pressure of time.
Of course, extended time at the airport and just dealing with travel add to the feeling, but I handled the layovers surprisingly well and just became increasingly excited for my next accommodations. Furthermore, within my now locations, I feel myself getting excited about neighborhood and hostel and AirBnB hopping as well (even eyeing a short resort stay in my near future). Home is getting to feel more like having these options and variety. Each option has pros and cons but I like being in a new neighborhood I can check out and returning “home”/ to wherever my current accommodations may be.
There is a new peace in deciding my true tastes in food, sightseeing and living each day and becoming more accustomed to how each setting has its own uniqueness. It is a test to adapt creature comforts to my new surrounding but sometimes it is easier and sometimes even better than I could have even imagined.
This is it until I become a more permanent expat/immigrant/snowbird, resident. When I am ready, I will know…
Glad you like your new “home”