So I finally found a term for my condition: Global Nomadic Expatriate. I had been thinking of my nomadic life-style for a while now. Recent activities like social networks, travelling and meeting new people, the Uefa EURO 2008 in Austria/Switzerland and other things made more people than ever refer to me as “the Austrian”, asking me wether I’d be cheering for Germany, when I will go back to Austria and so on. Usually I would reply that “I don’t know when I will go back. Hopefully I don’t have to.”, “I don’t feel like an Austrian, maybe like a European, but actually more just like a human.” and “My home is where my shoes are.” along the lines of “Ubi bene, ibi patria.”
Of course there has been places, where I felt home (like Gothenburg) but after a while always this eagerness of seeing something new kicked in. In any case, I enjoyed all the places I had been to, they had something special and discovering their character is one of the most exciting parts. The thought of settling down somewhere is still far away. Maybe when I have a family (means wife and kids?), but when will that be? Some friends always say “You’ll see, it goes faster than you think.” but so far I had a hard time imaging that and believing that the most reasonable way for being married will be that she is as well a restless person that loves moving. Reading this about this, my generation gives me some hope that there are more than just the very few likeminded people I met, that have a similar lifestyle and maybe a similar attitude. Not that it is bad to be the only one but of course it sometimes is exhausting to swim across the stream (not even against it) and knowing this, gives hope. :)
I hope you all are happy wherever you are right now and that you follow your instinct wether it’s nomadic or stationary or anywhere in between. At the end we’re all just living beings, no matter where we are from or whatever shape we have.
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You will be end up with a wonderful girl after all. ;) cheers!
I just came across your homepage and reading your blogs is quite interesting. One thing I want to ask you: Don’t you like Austria? In September I’m going to Austria for 6 months. Tell me, is there something you don’t like or I should mind?
Hi Philip,
If I were you I would not mind. :) Firstly because 6 months in a different place should always be rather entertaining and interesting (assuming that the place is fairly OK). Then of course there is the question where you plan to go to and where you are from, what you are looking for and so on…
But in any case I can recommend you to go there, I would recommend anybody to spend 6 years in another place. In Austria, on the plus side are definitely the landscape, history, culture and sweet dishes. Skiing in winter is what many people like, September is also still early enough to catch some of the autumn for hiking. The people are special (as anywhere) and if you speak German it will be easier to get to know the local quirks and specialities.
So yes, I definitely recommend you to go there with an open mind and curious eyes. That’s never wrong. ;)
Have a good stay and feel free to comment me your experiences! :)
_Wolf
PS – Philip: Thanks for reading and commenting!