LivingInPatagonia.com

Returning with Invisible Baggage

Written by Shanie 

I just returned to Bariloche yesterday after a month of being with family and friends in the United States.  It was so wonderful being with them– laughing, hugging, and conversing.

But there was something that occurred that I didn’t realize when I stepped onto the plane traveling southbound.  I came back to Argentina carrying more baggage than I physically had with me.  I arrived with a heavy load of homesickness.

I know that homesickness is a part of living abroad.  When I lived in Germany I literally cried myself to sleep for the first three months of living there.  But I haven’t felt much of the emotional, sapping energy in the three years living in Argentina.  That is until now.

Tears readily stream down my cheeks whenever I try to talk about the wonderful experiences I had with friends and family.  Speaking about the wonderful place my sister has found for herself in Hawaii should bring feelings of joy and happiness for her; instead, I feel remorse that I can not be closer and be a part of her growing up and finding her place in the world. 

I suppose, as I fall back into my routines here in Bariloche, these feelings of a tender heart and missing of loved ones will subside. 

But it does remind me that living abroad is never an easy thing.  My personal growth of learning a new life, language, culture, and who I truly am without a close circle of loved ones is not without sacrifice.  But is there any gain in life without sacrifice?

Homesickness is a part of this adventure.  If I think about it more, it is a bit serendipitous that three years have easily passed by without the tears and longing feelings for a hug from a loved one. 

Thank you to those relationships that mean enough to me that I yearn to be near them.  Without them this life abroad would not be as rich in feelings as it has turned out to be.