Visiting My Old Home, Melbourne

I’m going to spend a few days in Melbourne. I’ll be visiting new friends and old — some Indian friends who have moved to Melbourne, an Australian friend who will be moving to India, and some dear friends that I’ve known for years.

It’s the strangest feeling, knowing that Melbourne isn’t my home anymore. I shared a decade of my life with the city. My 20s! We lived together though plenty of ups and downs. However, last time I returned to Australia, I wistfully severed my ties with Melbourne. I finally sold off and packed up my belongings, and moved what was left of them back to my parents’ house in the country. I still have a house in Melbourne, but it’s rented to friends. My bedroom is someone else’s bedroom.

There is now distance between the city that was once so familiar to me. My close relationship with Melbourne is over. I feel quite displaced, knowing I have to rely on friends for accommodation there. However, it’s also given me closure and freedom. I’m not tied to the past anymore.

Being back in Australia this time feels very different. Previously, every time I came home, there was more uncertainty than certainty. I was struggling to give up what was comfortable to me and head into the unknown. Now, I truly feel like I’m a part of both countries — Australia and India. In many ways, they are the opposite of each other. However, I can appreciate their good and bad qualities, and feel so fortunate to be getting the best of both worlds. And yes, I miss India very much, just like I miss Australia!

Photo: www.flickr.com user randomidea

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