People often ask, where are you from? Where do you live? Where’s home?
When I think of the word home, I go back to the smell of a hearty stew, the sound of my little sister’s laughter and bark of our dog Benny haring around, the cosy warmth of an open fire in the living room. Home was a small town in Berkshire, a mixture of walks to the park and day trips to London for a special treat.
But as you reach the age where you have to pack up your belongings, get a proper job and move into a new place where you have to do all the chores, home suddenly begins to have a new meaning.
Ever since I can remember, I always knew I’d move to London. The bright lights and tall looming buildings that I gazed up at as a child made me feel like a part of something so exciting. By day business women in heels strutted around the city in the sun, drinking fancy looking cocktails and laughing with their friends inside glamorous bars by night. This little girl wanted nothing more than to grow up and be just like them.
Now the city is my home, living in a lovely little flat overlooking the city’s skyline, which I share with Allyn, and it couldn’t be cosier. What used to be defined with my mum’s cooking and the loud bustle of my family gossiping about their day, is now the thought of looking out over our beautiful view, a glass of wine on the sofa with my man and laughing as we dance around making dinner. I think 10 year old Eppie would be satisfied with that.
So whilst I enjoy my favourite city and the place I can now call home, I do often wonder where I’ll end up in the future. Whenever I travel somewhere new, I always think, could I live here? More often than not the answer is no. As much as I love new cultures, beautiful scenery and a breath of fresh foreign air, I couldn’t leave my beloved London unless something truly pulled at my heartstrings.
So far, only two places in the world have made me reconsider.
The first was Cape Town. I don’t know what it is about this incredible place but everyone I know who’s been feels the same. Perhaps its the mixture of sun, sea and city life but after just one day touring around the coastline, a strong adoration was sparked that I can’t quite describe. It could have been the wine…
So what stopped me? Well number one – I’m in love with a London-located man and I have no desire for that long distance malarchy. Number two – as much as I fell in love with Cape Town and will most definitely be returning *starts looking at flights*, I just couldn’t do it alone.
The second place that almost made me rip up my return ticket was Canada. Now I can tell you exactly why I want to live here… those miraculously, majestic, overwhelmingly, stunning landscapes. I just could not get enough.
Could Canada be home? I think so. In fact its turned into a ‘when shall we move?’ question rather than a ‘should we go?’. It wouldn’t be for longer than a couple of years, I could never move away from my family forever, but fingers crossed its somewhere that could become our new home in the future. Nothing makes me happier than my Canadian vision of waking up to the view of snowy mountains, a backdrop for some pancakes and maple syrup, as Allyn puts a log on the fire in his plaid check shirt… don’t tell me that’s not realistic.
Have you ever travelled somewhere that has made you consider moving there? Where’s home to you? Join in the #travellinkup hosted on the lovely blogs of Angie, Jessi, Emma and Polly, and link to your post about home between the 1-7th July.
Hehe I love your vision of your potential Canadian future!
Canada, oh Canada – we would LOVE to visit one day. Soon. Soon!
Haha, do it Emma! It’s the best place in the world… apart from Disney. 😀
Wonderful post! I’ve considered making Paris a temporary home. I visited as a kid, which inspired me to learn the language. I can see myself living in a lovely flat with an amazing pâtisserie down the street.
Thanks Cassie! I’ve never been to Paris… I know, and I call myself a travel blogger. I think I just want my first experience to be super special! So jealous that you can speak French! Your vision sounds heavenly, you simply must do it!
Do you call home in Berkshire ‘home home’ as that is what I still call my parents home!
Cape Town is one of the places I most felt like home too. Such a beautiful city isn’t it? I’ve never been to Canada but am desperate to visit soon 🙂
lovely post!
I love this post and the photo of Cape Town is gorgeous – it’s definitely made me want to visit now despite the dangers. I agree with you on Canada – I visited last year and felt the same. Which parts of Canada did you visit? xx
Cape Town truly is a wonderful place, I felt safe whilst I was there I just would feel a little worried going it alone! We went to Toronto, Quebec and then explored some of Lake Louise and Banff. I desperately want to go back and see Vancouver and more of British Columbia, its so beautiful! x
I can totally see why you would consider living in Cape Town. I loved it there. But when I heard about the danger aspect, I was a bit apprehensive. London ain’t so bad!
I never experienced anything bad when I was out there but you hear a lot of stories. I know there is danger to any city but as a solo traveller it would be a little scary to live in for me!
What a beautifully written post! Really enjoyed reading it 🙂 home to me is a small town close to Marseille in Southern France… And I’d love to move to London! You’re lucky to live there it’s such a beautiful city and definitely one of my favourite places xx
Flora
Thank you Flora! Oh how lovely, I would love to visit there one day. I do love living in London, being so close to so many amazing restaurants and bars, and popping to the theatre when I can. x