The circle

And so I find myself in the same place I set off from, thousands of miles and twenty months lagging behind me reminding me that yes, I have been away. Now I'm back my adventures seem so far behind me already that at times in the last week I seriously wonder whether it actually happened! Nice in a way that everything remains in essence the same. The same faces, some with different jobs, different partners, different houses, but the same people just 20 months older. Many people have peered at me before exclaiming with what could be a snort of relief, "Oh, you're exactly the same!".  I think whatever they were expecting I was also expecting. Some kind of significant change, everyone always remarks that travel is a life-changing experience. Well yes, my life has changed in that now I have to build a new one out of the rubble and ideas and lessons of the last one I had, but Hana as a person has happily remained pretty much identical to the Hana that left the UK 20 months ago. 

I've had such a great time abroad and I learnt so much, about other cultures, my job, myself, but now its over, the circle has completed itself. Its time for a new beginning. After focusing so long on the end of my journey from New Zealand, through Thailand, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Russia, Belaruse, Germany, France, London and finally to Devon, the destination of destinations, now I'm here there's a gap. Like floating around at zero gravity, or walking into the fridge at work to get something only to find you have forgotten what it is and have to go all the way back to remember. What now for Hana and her adventures? That's the question.

The last leg of my journey through Europe was really smooth and easy and lovely. It felt like a visiting expedition, seeing my old friends Katie, Tia and Paris, and making a new friend called Berlin. Berlin - the one city (other than Wellington) I visited that I would love to live in. I would have to learn German (which frankly is off putting) but other than that its my sort of place. Interesting, grungy culture, lots going on, lots of green and water. Berlin, it was a pleasure to meet you.

I do believe that this is Blog number 100! A fine number to sign off on, although I find myself a little sad not to have somewhere to write now, I've really enjoying putting my little life of travel and new experiences into words. Who knows what adventures the next 20 months hold? Whatever they are my feet are staying firmly in the UK, on my search for a garden, a yoga class and a nice organic cafe to work in (if you are a town and fit these specifications I'd be happy/delighted to make your acquaintance, please send applications via the comments page).

A massive thank you to everyone who has been reading this during my time away, it was an absolute pleasure!