Shadow Footprints

This post was inspired by a post by Tunagirl. I started it as a comment on that site but realised I had more to write.

The town I grew up is is not home. I usually go down there for Christmas with my brother and his family, but it's not home. Four days is too long for a visit. I know people love visiting it. I know it would be different if I could see it as a tourist does, if I went there with someone who has never lived there.

On my last visit there was only two people I made an effort to see. Helen, who is from there but moved to Auckland shortly after I did; and Ivan, who would be better getting away from there and away from his family. Ivan is a perfect house guest, he tries (sometimes too hard,) to not be an inconvenience. He's always welcome to stay.

I've lived in Auckland for nearly 8 years now and it is home. Hawkes Bay has great weather and I hate the rain of Auckland, but Auckland offers me a lot more. Recently a friend who has lived here much longer referred to me as a JAFA. I like and enjoy Auckland, though for my community it can sometimes feel very small.

I loved living in Christchurch when I went to University, but a visit there a few years ago told me I would hate living there. Edinburgh is another city I loved living in, and I now have the right contacts to love London. San Diego is a city I think I could love living in; I certainly enjoy visiting.

The town and nearby area I grew up in is certainly not home.