Home. I always seem to appreciate it more when I am away and then go back.

I’ve recently returned from my first trip to New York since moving to South Africa last August. Three weeks is just not enough time to catch up on a year of missed friendships. Now that I’m back in Africa, I’ve been thinking a lot about “home”. I’ve always believed it’s wherever I am at the time and I still do. But actually living in another country for over a year, gives me a little more perspective than I had before.

Folks I meet here always want to know about America, especially New York City – what it’s like, what the people are like, my family, my home, etc. After the polite questions, there are almost always some more about shopping, designers and celebrities that I can’t speak to much, but I try to share some interesting tidbits they might want to hear. These conversations often make me uncomfortable and not just because I’m talking about myself non-stop.

New York is an alluring city so I understand that people ask about it, though the extent to which they praise it sometimes makes me feel a bit awkward. It’s not necessarily greater – and definitely not more beautiful – than this city we from which we talk about and long for NYC.

To be fair, I am guilty of some gushing myself. Occasionally I do carry on about New York and homesickness and the things I miss most, like my family, friends and my cat. Some mornings no cereal or toast will satisfy, simply because they are not bagels. I have admitted that I will not miss the four months of winter rain that saturate every ceiling, wall and floor (and most recently the mattress) of my apartment in dampness. And I admit to looking forward to having a sink in my bathroom where hot and cold water come out of the same facet (y’know, to create warm water). But these are just the things I am used to, my silly little comforts of home. Familiar does not equal better either.

The thing that will always strike me about South Africa is it’s beauty. I have never lived in a city, nor in an entire country, emanating so much natural and delicate radiance.  Amazingly beautiful.

One is not better than the other, it’s just that one is my home.