Wondering about Wandering

I am rapidly becoming a ghost in my own house.  Preparing to move, our space is filled only with memories,  no longer with plans.  In the coming months we will be nomads, visiting friends and living in a temporary apartment as we make our way to Malaysia.

Moving away is a strange experience.  Saying goodbye to friends and slowly being erased from their future gatherings and get-togethers  is bittersweet.  Moving isn’t without its advantages as I’ve pretty much reinvented myself with every transition.  I had my own art studio and taught Contemporary Art at a Museum in China, became an advocate for animal rights in Barbados, and then developed into a full-time writer in Indonesia.  Each time I was granted the opportunity to explore something new.

I often wonder if I could stay in one place and be happy doing so.  Over my whole life I’ve never stayed in one place longer than 6 years. I grew up overseas but I’ve adopted my husband’s hometown as my own. When people ask where I’m from it’s much easier to relay his story, rather than delve into the details of mine.

I will miss Indonesia.  The friends I’ve made are some of the most creative souls I’ve ever met.  I will miss the messy and layered landscape of Jakarta and the sleepy rice paddies of Bali.  Someone told me that Jakarta is like an addiction that’s hard to shake.  I now believe this to be true.  Usually I can look forward, without looking back. This time I’m not so sure.