I've been horrid at this thing called consistency, I am terrible, I know! And now it's just a mere four more months before Steve and I head back to Sydney for good! I am both sad and excited and crazily trying to make the most of what time we've got left here in Europe. I could ramble on and on about every little detail of the happenings from the last half year or so, but, if it's something I'd like to avoid - or more like something I'd like to take a break from - it's the feeling of regurgitating long-winded narratives that break off into tangents only half thought of, and then getting to the end and wondering what was my point again?
So.
For at least this post, I think I'm going to go ahead and practice the art of condensing information. Bringing things back to the basics, some...bullet journaling of sorts, that covers the most general of everything but can still be something substantial that I can look back at later and be like, dude, those were some good times! So without further ado and in no particular order...
Things I'll Miss About Europe
1. Escape is an ever tangible thing.
The concept of 'weekend trips' will never be as awesome as when you're living in London and other countries are only a few hours away! Had a hard working week? Hey, what the hell, bus tickets to Holland for a tenner, why not! Had enough of feeling like you're living in a cardboard box? Let's go hang in Italy for a while! Sick of the disgusting, ever-gloomy weather? Spain, here we come! And maybe part of the awe is just leftover 'foreigner feels', but I will miss how there's always something amazing to see. Which leads me to number...
2. Europe, you photogenic mofo, you!
I have loads and loads of photos and they aren't even of people, ha! Don't get me wrong, beauty can be found in every little thing, but, seriously, guys, it is just so next. level. here. The buildings and the streets and the alleyways and the food and random art and museums... I mean, I'm no expert at photography but with Europe you don't even have to try. (Okay, I sometimes still do, but even if you don't, I guarantee you'll still have some amazing photos).
3. Embrace the idiosyncrasies.
I like to think that I've always been the observant type. The wallflower introvert who takes an all too abnormal amount of pleasure in people-watching but not actually 'people-ing'. I guess that's why I continue to have imaginary friends who won't shut up, and instead make me write them out with thousands upon thousands of words that I haven't quite gathered the balls to release into the public as of yet, heh. But anyway, that's a tangent.
If I hadn't moved here when I did, I think I probably would've still noticed what I was missing out on sooner or later, and that is the people. So many types and personalities and quirks. I didn't realise Europe was so good at it! Couldn't have imagined the more of individuality and how monotonous it was back in Sydney. I have a confession though, and it's the fact that I've indulged in many an hour of people-watching and just absorbing the environment. There's a lot you can see when you're watching, and Europe has definitely been interesting in the sense that not every second person is dressed in a variant of the same thing. I mean, just the other weekend I saw a guy at the airport walking around in a dress and, okay, I did a double take, but I wasn't even that surprised.
I think it definitely has something to do with how living here lets you encounter a lot more people who come from all different backgrounds and cultures. And if you like how you look with half your head shaved off, then that's totally fine. Or if you enjoy wearing eyeliner because make-up isn't just for girls, that's totally fine too. And if one day you feel like going out wearing vintage and another day you're feeling bohemian and someone looks at you funny? then they're the weird ones - or they're just not used to it - but! it's still totally okay because if there's anything I've realised while living here, it's that anything goes. High school personalities aside (because, face it, they're everywhere), Europe's quirky peeps have definitely helped me broaden my expression scale.
4. Brunch is my favourite.
And with quirky peeps comes quirky food. I have yet to find Asian food that rival my usual haunts back in Sydney, but in the meantime, I've definitely discovered some new and awesome favourites that will be missed! Who can say no to mini dutch pancakes, or, on that note, Maple Bacon French Toast. Like, what even?!
There have been Mexican-brunch fusion foods, some really wicked doner kebabs, pastries that Sydney could probably never replicate - ever - namely croissantsomnomnom, and ohmigod, anything with cheese. Europe is so good with cheese!
In saying that though, I do miss Easyway and Sushi Bay - not together. And! the coffee here ain't that great.
5. A house is not a home.
Lastly, I was once talking to a wise friend/ex-roommate about living here in London and how, once you get here you're pretty much on your own. It's not like your family is a five minute drive away, and it's not like they can just come over when you need help.
I have had the privilege to love and let go of lots, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you shouldn't hang on to people who don't try and hang on to you. With this lifestyle, it happens fast and it happens often, and there are those with whom you just click with, while others are just meh. To those who are still around - you know who you are, and it's been so awesome to have met you guys. Definitely worth all the others I've meh'd, haha.
You played (and still play) a part in making our/my experiences memorable. We've raved together, fangirl'd together, read the same books and watched movies together. You, and all the people before you, and all the people after you, will continue to prove to me that a house is not what makes a home. So, yeah, of course I'll miss you.
And that's that for now! Love and good vibes - feeling very sappy today for some reason, haha!
xoxo'ella
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