Catching up on my blog reading yesterday I came across this philosophical question: Is home where you were born? It was a very simple answer for me. Cork is, and always will be, my home.
I have lived in Berlin for 14 months now. I find it a great city and am enjoying every moment here but it will never be home.
I guess you could call me a ‘homebird’. No matter where I am in the world I will always long to be back in Cork. When I lived there, like every other young person, I moaned continuously about the place; there was nothing to do, it was too small, there were no jobs, etc. The lack of jobs was the main reason I left, followed by a yearning for excitement.
The phrase ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’ certainly rings true to me now. The coin has been flipped and now I complain about how much I miss my family, how it is hard to make friends here and the lack of general friendliness I feel living in a big city.
Who knows where life might take me in the future. I could end up even further across the world. No point in pondering now as the forseeable future sees me remaining here in Berlin. Cork will always have me heart though. Looking at the pictures below it is easy to see why.
Joyful Antidotes 
Just read a post by ‘foldedcranes’ on this very topic (link below if interested)…
Have moved round quite a bit over the years and feel it’s so important to be somewhere you enjoy – but more importantly, to live the best you can from wherever you are at any one time. Sometimes, I think to myself, “If I moved away again, what would it be that I’d wished I’d done while I was there?”… Then I put that on my ‘to do’ list and do it when I next get the opportunity.
Nostalgia is a tricky bed-fellow! This & the theme of ‘home’ are two things which I’ve unavoidably written about over the years in articles & books (some stuff is on my website if it’s your cup of tea).
Anyway, here’s that link I mentioned, in case you’d like to read it – some interesting comments from others – everyone seems to have a different perspective:
http://foldedcranes.com/2012/05/15/is-home-where-you-were-born/#comment-234
Thanks very much for the comment! I read the post you mentioned and its really good!
I will be checking out your blog right away. Its nice to hear about others adventures across the globe. I like your idea of the to-do list as well. Will certainly help me decide when I am ready to move on.
Glad you enjoyed the other blog.
It wouldn’t matter where we were, the human mind would probably want to be somewhere else… so enjoy & appreciate where you are as much as possible!
Happy adventures!
I’ve always been a more a “home is where your rump rests” kinda gal! But lately I’m starting to see you thing your way. Not that I miss Cork, I don’t really. I miss our days in UCC together but that’s about it. These days my home, where my heart is, is in a funny little flat in limerick with Gavin. Home is where you’re happiest and for me these days that’s Limerick with Gavin.