The homesick waves start rolling in
GO HARD OR GO HOME: You can be happily cruising along, enjoying the best that summertime in London has to offer, and then out of nowhere… BAM!
Next thing, you’re tearing up, overcome with a massive, urgent need for one of Mum’s huge, comforting hugs and a huge plateful of Dad’s amazing spag bol.
Most of the time, the missing home bug arrives when you’re going through a bit of a rough patch – often as a result of a little too much partying and not enough sleeping.
Or when there’s an important occasion back home that you’re missing out on, like a wedding or a friend’s birthday.
But sometimes it rears its ugly head at the strangest, most unpredictable moments. It can be the most unexpected situations that make you want to jump on a plane or start swimming home; as was the case in my most recent bout of homesickness.
It was during a harmless trip to Bournemouth last weekend that my most recent wave of missing home struck.
I was excited about seeing the “beach” (even if it was nudging 17 degrees and overcast) but when I arrived and looked out at the big ocean, all I could think about was how far away my little island called Australia was.
To anyone who hasn’t moved to the other side of the world, it might seem silly. But as I stood there, with my feet in the sand, I realised for the first time in more than seven months how far away my old life actually is.
I contemplated – for a split, insane second – diving in and swimming home. Thankfully, the idea of entering the icy cold water past ankle-depth was more than I could handle so the idea was soon dismissed.
Within minutes the homesick feelings passed and I was back on top of my new little world in the UK. But with winter just around the corner, I suspect those waves will be rising up and dunking me more often.
More Go Hard or Go Home by Shannon Crane:
It’s tough scoring that first London Job
Also see: London Arrival Guide
www.australiantimes.co.uk/community