And They Lived Happily Ever After
Hey everybody, we’re home! After putting 18,100 kms on our Westy, our travels have come to an end where we started off, in Calgary, Alberta.
We spent the last month in Manitoba, mostly in beautiful wooded lake country around Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa, with our respective families. We collected Kona and our belongings and chugged the last 1,300 kms from Winnipeg to Calgary with an incredibly loaded down van. After all we’ve put it through, I’m rather proud the Westy managed to get us all home in one piece.
Not surprisingly, our return has been bitter sweet. Going back to work wasn’t the most difficult part, surprisingly. What I found hard was re-entering the fast pace of a large city, where we had to confront the trappings of material wealth. It wasn’t the traffic, the people or the noise. The weight of all our possessions crushed me as I hauled boxes up from the basement where we’d stored them. We’d managed to live happily for 7 months with only what fit in our van. The simplicity of it didn’t really sink in until we returned to our house filled with all this stuff. I don’t like feeling tied down by my possessions – I had gotten used to being free as a bird.
Of course, I have to admit that since we’ve been back, I’m overwhelmed by the luxury of our lives. All this space! Paved roads and nicely landscaped yards everywhere! And every comfort imaginable, right within my grasp. During our trip to the grocery store, I couldn’t get over the selection of fruits and vegetables. It was virtually impossible to find red bell peppers in Mexico, but I can get bok choy, lemon grass and okra just down the street.
Sienna was over the moon about coming back home. She ran from room to room, exploring everything and digging out toys. Some things she remembered distinctly, like her booster seat for eating at the table, and others seemed totally new (“Whose toy is this mommy? Mine???? Reeeeally????”) She couldn’t wait to see all of her old friends and smothered anyone who came through our door with exuberant hugs and kisses.
Bringing Sienna to daycare on our first day back at work was one of the biggest challenges. It was hard leaving her there as a toddler, but now that she can express her concerns, I felt like an even bigger monster for walking away. “What do I do if I have to pee, mommy?” “What if the kids push me?” Or here’s an even better one (imagine her clinging desperately to my pant leg with tears glistening in the corner of her eyes) “I don’t know anyone here; I just want to be with you and daddy forever!” We did manage to survive the day, and Sienna even had a great time. The little critter even begged to stay “Just a bit longer mommy!” when I picked her up that evening.
So we’re all getting back into the swing of things. But we’re already planning our next trip!
