On the 20th of October 2006 I wrote my ‘first post on my first blog’. Now, exactly one year later I submit to you my 79th and last post. The past year has been extraordinary: working in Indonesia, travelling in Australia, New Zealand & China. Now I am back in the UK – it seems little has changed… being away you always think that you are missing out on so much at home, but maybe it is home that is missing out so much without you.
I have been re-reading my blog, reminding myself of some of the events I went through & seeing how I struggled to describe some of the cultures and countries I visited. There were some classic, if slightly ott lines from me: ‘this plethora of colour… makes the whole vista shimmer & shine like a leprechaun attached to the national grid’; and some insightful comments from my readers: ‘where in god's name do you find a synthetic penis in Bali?!’, as well as an ongoing debate on most topics between Kerry & DT.
There seemed to be a number of common themes: the advent, passing & return of homesickness; race, racism & cultural understanding; the fickleness & unfairness of the media. I think these are the areas in which I have learnt most – both about the world & about myself. Now that I am home, I hope that having shared these things with you whilst I was away, you will ‘know me better, not as a stranger but as myself’.
I have been re-reading my blog, reminding myself of some of the events I went through & seeing how I struggled to describe some of the cultures and countries I visited. There were some classic, if slightly ott lines from me: ‘this plethora of colour… makes the whole vista shimmer & shine like a leprechaun attached to the national grid’; and some insightful comments from my readers: ‘where in god's name do you find a synthetic penis in Bali?!’, as well as an ongoing debate on most topics between Kerry & DT.
There seemed to be a number of common themes: the advent, passing & return of homesickness; race, racism & cultural understanding; the fickleness & unfairness of the media. I think these are the areas in which I have learnt most – both about the world & about myself. Now that I am home, I hope that having shared these things with you whilst I was away, you will ‘know me better, not as a stranger but as myself’.
1 comment:
Hi Karen
I happened to read your blog through a Jai in Ruteng youtube clip you posted.
I am amazed and touched by your reflections over your cross cultural experiences. To be honest probably it is because it also involves Ruteng which happened to be my hometown. It is nice to read an outsiders voice which would help the insiders to objectively read their own culture and could do more in maintaining it.
I am a crosscultural person myself so reading your blogs are like reading my own stories. I like the term that one of my professors usually used to describe such experience, he said its a journey from homeland accross the wonderland toward the newfoundland.
Congratulations for you eagerness to leave your comfort zone and letting yourself to be vulnerable to travel the unknown.
Salam
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