Where do you call home?
Finding a place to belong: the emotional journey of living outside your home country + a few "jolies choses" and 5 accommodations in Spain, France, the UK and Switerland #47
Pour mes lecteurs français peu anglophones, j’ajoute à partir de cette semaine une lecture audio en français du texte ci-dessous. Finalement ça tombe bien avec le thème de mon intro ;-) Dites-moi si ça vous plaît!
This week is my 18th anniversary moving back to London to live with Mr Big. Before that I had spent 3 years in London and 2 years in New York. I returned to Paris, sure that I would not move again and then I met Mr Big 2 and a half years later. That’s a total of 23 years, 62% of my adult life or, saying it another way: I have now spent more time living outside my native country than in it!
And I’m not even counting the 6 months I spent in 2010 working half the week in Amsterdam.
I’m not sure how you call people like me.
We are not expatriates as we have not moved to the UK for a limited period of time nor can we claim benefits from our native country.
We are not fully nationals of the host country - even if we get naturalized as I have - because we didn’t grow here and so much of our cultural make is built during the formative childhood and teenage years. Plus there is always the accent that gives us away unless you have the rare talent of sounding totally local.
We are also not totally in sync with our native country: I still follow French news, try to figure out the political landscape to be informed when I vote (which I can still do for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections), but the subtlety of the French style or the latest cultural changes escape me as I’m not immersed in my country anymore. Even though my British friends kindly say that I dress and look “so French”, I know that I lost some of the natural style we are renowned for because I don’t see the looks and attitude every day anymore. And sometimes when I speak French, I can’t find the words!
Sure, I did gain other skills: an ability to understand that there’s no right or wrong in how people do things, just a different perspective; a tolerance towards newcomers in any situation; a really strong capability of adaptation; and a character mixing French drama with British aloofness. Well, I won’t kid myself, drama comes out more often than the upper stiff lip!
I don’t think either country is my “home”. I don’t know what I would do if I my husband passed away before me for instance (of course we have many many years of happiness - and arguments ;-) ahead of us I hope). Would I stay in the UK? Would I move back to France? No idea!
I guess ultimately, I feel the best where I am with my loved ones. My husband and daughter in the UK, my family in France, anywhere where we are together. They are “my home” and that, regardless of wherever I move, will always be the best place ever!
Where is home for you?
Jolies Choses
Guys and Dolls - if you live in or not far from London, you have to go and see this show which is just fantastic. I have vivid memories of that musical as my first show on Broadway, New York, more than 30 years ago. This new direction has a stellar cast, a great immersive direction and is fabulous fun.
Midori Tomoe River paper notebook - I love Japanese stationary. Notebooks have this very thin paper which is a pleasure to write on.
Friulane shoes - seems to be the shoes of the season as two of the ladies I follow on Instagram are selling those. You can either get them from Cayumas or Cose Lifestyle.
Cose is actually the labor of love of Audrey Fitzjohn who creates every season a few pieces and also sells antiques. I bought a couple of her blouses and always get compliments when I wear them (see above).
Extra finds
Fleur de Loire
From €240 - Check latest prices and availability
Housed in a remarkable 17th century building, Fleur de Loire is on the edge of the Loire and the project of a gastronomic chef. The hotel has 44 bedrooms, two restaurants, a pastry kiosk and a 450m² spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools.
The Fox at Oddington
From £250 - Check latest prices and availability
A 19th century British inn nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside, the Fox is a village pub with rooms. Bedroom interiors are inspired by the surrounding countryside with a spacious Coach House opposite for larger groups. It’s the latest property from the Daylesford empire.
Volkshaus Basel, Switzerland
From 160 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
The Volkshaus Basel is initially a cultural centre in the heart of Basel but is now being extended by a new boutique hotel. 45 rooms, a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar. No pool but a cool place to hang out.
Villa Favorita, San Sebastian
From £140 - Check latest prices and availability
An elegant whitewashed seafront offshoot of the Hotel de Londres, a famous hotel in San Sebastian, this new hotel charms with its white and blue decor with some suites having a wonderful view of the sea. No pool.
Parador 44, Cardiff
Fom £195 - Check latest prices and availability
Despite it’s name, Parador is actually in the UK, in Cardiff precisely so in Wales. With nine en suite rooms, each individually designed, Parador 44 offers an Andalucian outdoor terraza, a residents’ lounge with an honesty bar offering an array of Spanish drinks and snacks, and light-flooded suites.
Such a good analysis!