I really loved this post. I cannot relate to being an expat yearning for my true home country, but I can relate to running a marathon through a place where each mile evokes memories and a feeling of belonging mixed with nostalgia, triggered by scents as well as sights. Congratulations on your strong finish.
Yes Henriette, that’s exactly how I feel when I’m in Greece and then back in the US again. I totally get the mindset when I’m there and when I’m back here, for a long time afterwards, I find myself thinking in Greek and replying in Greek to bilingual friends whom I know to be more comfortable with English and yet my tongue races ahead and replies in Greek much to their surprise, and mine! Love this essay. It’s nice to know other people like ourselves :-)
Yes, all of this! When I return to Paris, it's the sounds that are the most comforting, the most I-am-home-y although I haven't lived there since 1991. The voice and cadence of the announcer at the Charles de Gaulle airport. The tap-tap of heels echoing in quiet streets on Sunday mornings. The click and groan of heavy, green doors leading to courtyards. The creak and clack of shutters being pushed open. And I've been told my voice is different in French. I do feel like a different Anjali in French.
You are amazing! If I knew any Greek I would say that way, but since I don't, CONGRATULATIONS 👏
I really loved this post. I cannot relate to being an expat yearning for my true home country, but I can relate to running a marathon through a place where each mile evokes memories and a feeling of belonging mixed with nostalgia, triggered by scents as well as sights. Congratulations on your strong finish.
Yes Henriette, that’s exactly how I feel when I’m in Greece and then back in the US again. I totally get the mindset when I’m there and when I’m back here, for a long time afterwards, I find myself thinking in Greek and replying in Greek to bilingual friends whom I know to be more comfortable with English and yet my tongue races ahead and replies in Greek much to their surprise, and mine! Love this essay. It’s nice to know other people like ourselves :-)
Yes, all of this! When I return to Paris, it's the sounds that are the most comforting, the most I-am-home-y although I haven't lived there since 1991. The voice and cadence of the announcer at the Charles de Gaulle airport. The tap-tap of heels echoing in quiet streets on Sunday mornings. The click and groan of heavy, green doors leading to courtyards. The creak and clack of shutters being pushed open. And I've been told my voice is different in French. I do feel like a different Anjali in French.
Amazing congratulations