2013. Here's a long-overdue update.I'm writing this from my (newish) bedroom- correction, OUR bedroom (that is, mine and my co-habiting boyfriend) in an unassuming little city attached to a bigger city and another small city. I am now living in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, working in Stoke-On-Trent and spending lazy Saturdays perusing the markets and bookshops of Hanley.
Christmas was spent in Ireland with Jamie's wonderful family. I cannot attest enough to the hospitality I was shown by Jamie's relatives, friends, parents of friends, locals, everyone. And I was just told time and time again, "That's just how people are over here, Maarit." It was a fantastic time; I climbed a mountain in Tipperary, danced to some traditional Irish music in a pub in Clonmel, celebrated New Years in Killkenny, partied in Cork, and spent countless hours inside of pubs and warm homes, laughing and having cups of tea or glasses of whisky pushed into my hands. Jamie's family were just as bad as Ukrainians for telling you that you haven't had enough to eat yet. It was incredible.
Back to Bristol after Christmas for a quick and rushed pack-up. It was hard saying goodbye to the city that had been my home and my playground for 6 months. Harder saying goodbye to my friends, flatmates and co-workers, especially Oscar. Oscar was basically my whiny sibling, twin and best friend since the moment I started working at Mud Dock, but it's not goodbye anyway. We'll see each other soon and have travel plans for the future. I was sad to be leaving Mud Dock, as I had made so many great memories in that old warehouse turned bike-shop-cafe-bar-restaurant. But new opportunities were to come and new maps to be unfolded.
January was dreary, in my bank account and in the English skies, but in February I started working in a little cafe/coffee house in Stoke-On-Trent, a 20 minute walk from our house. I've made a couple of friends in the girls there, but hoping to make more soon.
Living with Jamie. It's wonderful to have your best friend there to laugh with after a day of work and to share new experiences with. Taking day trips, driving around the countryside, watching bad British television. I could say a great deal about us moving in together but what it comes down to is sharing cups of tea on a Sunday morning in front of the telly. The little things after spending a year in a long-distance relationship.
For Valentine's day, Jamie surprised me with a visit to the Warner Brothers' Harry Potter Studios, where they created the films. I can honestly say that it was one of the most incredible days I've lived and a childhood dream come true. And when I say childhood, I don't mean just from my childhood- I mean something that has been part of my life since childhood. Anyone who knows me knows how much I am in love with the Harry Potter books and films. I can't say how much I loved it. No words can describe. Jamie basically made all of my friends' boyfriends and girlfriends look bad next to him. Keeper.
At the end of February, I took the train up to Scotland to meet Fiona in Argyll. She was on her way home from Russia after spending 4 months at a language school. It was nice to get back into Scotland and feel, well, Scotland. I hadn't realized how much I missed it until I returned. I suppose that's with every place you've called home though.
Speaking of home, it's been hard being away from Manitoba with recent events. My nephew was born and I can't help but want to spoil him with gifts from abroad in the hopes that when he is at the age to appreciate such things, it will make him want to travel too. Many of my friends are graduating this year and moving on to exciting things. I can't help but feel like I've got this amazing secret to happiness of having lived a year and a half abroad. I've never once felt like I've missed out on things back home- I feel like many of my friends have missed out on living a life of travel and adventure. How lucky am I.
So here's to a final 6 months abroad. I've certainly had an amazing year and a half. I can't wait for the next adventure and travels to come.
Something that I scribbled down the other day: Collect as many passport stamps as you can. Meet people who don't speak your language. See something different at every chance you get. Admire architecture, nature, people, colours, cultures. Laugh with people you don't know. Party with people you will never forget. Say goodbye again and again, because it's only a matter of time until the next hello. Get your hands and feet dirty. Don't rely on your native tongue. Learn to carry the important things in your mind, heart and on your back. Because you have the rest of your life to live in a small town, buy a big truck and make money at a 9-5 job. Travel.
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