On Wednesday night I got into a groove.
On Wednesday night I made a huge move.
On Thursday morning I awoke in a new place.
And now new horizons, new challenges, new pleasure and joy I face.
Yep on Wednesday night, October 7th 2015, after some years of planning and prevaricating and “angsting” and excitement, I emigrated. I left my birthplace of London, UK and came home.
I’m yet to reach my final destination of “by the beach” in Tel Aviv – hope to be there in a few short weeks. Currently installed in a smaller town where my brother lives and relishing being around family – including nephews who are so tall I can barely reach them!
Almost as high a mountain is the admin and bureaucracy I have to embrace. But slowly, slowly and bit by bit it gets done. With help, of course. My Hebrew language skills are not too bad – better than many who come here – but having my sister-in-law by my side has made a huge difference.
And despite my familiarity with the culture here, there is much acculturation to be done. Although Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city, Israel in general is a very different world from the UK. This is the Middle East, where African and Asia come together, under a veneer of Western sophistication and gloss. It’s both a melting pot of magic and a witches brew of combustion. Passion, frustration, love, pain, drama, resentment, mistrust, fear, grief and an all enduring positivity and ‘can do’ stance.
Every step here is a new dance to an old tune and and old familiar dance to a new sound. On Sunday morning I was glancing up at eagles soaring overhead. Today I opened a bank account.
I feel emotional, vulnerable, exposed, afraid, excited, full of anticipation, wonder and awe. I miss my friends in London. I look forward to seeing other friends who live here and making new ones. And the beach … oh the beach …
Taking Permission to be YOU can be found in small changes – tiny nuances of difference in your life. And it can also be found in huge, dramatic large changes. Right now I’m in the midst of both.
And it was evening, and it was morning, and it was good. I’m living through ongoing change. I’d love to hear from you about what changes you’re planning and making. Feel free and invited to let us know in the comments below.
With love and Permission to be YOU
© Annie Wigman