my 18th anniversary
Other than when the azahar is in bloom I think I love jacaranda time best in Sevilla, which this year has coincided with my 18th anniversary of living in Spain. Back in May 1992 I drove down from Bristol through France with a friend of mine, with all my worldly possessions in the back of her car, and that first thrill of crossing the border into Spain is still so vivid. Likewise the very real feeling that I was finally Home. A feeling that has never left me.
So much has happened since then and all of it has been worth it. Coming to Spain is without a doubt the best decision I have ever made. The other day I heard someone ask an American guy at the gym why he lives in Spain and he said -”because I can” – which I think is the best answer I have ever heard to this question and one that I shall use the next time someone asks me this. Since getting cancer anniversaries have come to mean a lot to me, and I’m celebrating this one by working hard so that I can enjoy many more.
Sevilla photo albums
How beautiful, az. The flowers, the photos, and the post. This really moved me.
You know, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt that any place I’ve lived has been really Home. I’ve gotten quite settled where I am now, as well as attached, but I’ve never quite felt that this is where I belong.
Happy anniversary!
I know the feeling of feeling “home”.
Happy anniversary!
I kind of wish I had such a great response when asked why I live in the UK… Hmm. I must think of something clever.
“Home” is a wonderful feeling indeed. Right now this place feels like home, but mostly because we have put so many literal roots down as well as figurative ones. Your anniversary must have a great poignancy for you because of your recent history.
I like the guy at the gym’s answer. Lately Jim has been saying things like, “I’ve gotten good at making wine (he has, too — the last batch is great), and I know how to process olives. I think I’m ready for life in Spain.” He has been toying with the idea of getting a wine/olive farm out there somewhere. Toying is the operative word here, mind you.
Congratulations on your 18 year Spanish anniversary, Az!
I feel the same way about living here in Sydney – that’s its ‘home’ in a real sense, even though I’ve only been here 3 years. I shall instantly adopt your gym guy’s answer when people ask why I moved here
I’d feel just a little bit more “at home” if I hadn’t discovered that someone ripped out the garden I was in the process of moving from the unit I had been living in to the one we are living in, now, a whole 50 feet away…
The ENTIRE back garden…. ripped up and thrown out.
http://mudpuddle.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/angry-so-angry/
AND… this is the SECOND time someone from Landscape walked into my back yard and ripped out my garden (or in the case of the first time, ordered my nephew to do so). Not to mention the same person in the earlier incident whipper snipped my border TWICE because he couldn’t tell the difference between weeds and perennials.
How awful! I’ve just read your blog post. *hugs*