But not really. It’s been a couple of weeks now since we got back from Europe and to tell the truth, neither of us really wanted to come back and it felt weird flying into YVR. Probably because we don’t have a residence there anymore.
We spent the 1st week up the coast in Sechelt, checking in on family, sorting out all the mail that had accumulated, and chores…banking, car insurance, car maintenance, packing and repacking the storage shed and our backpacks. What fun! Much rather be on the beach in Tarragona, sipping a (cheap) cold one. That was a major jolt actually. Sticker shock. Groceries are usually the first thing we do anywhere but I guess we got too used to garden fresh food, reasonable prices, and cheap beer of course. Yikes! Especially here in Sechelt where everything seems to be another 30% higher than Vancouver.
And that’s where we spent the 2nd week. More chores and some clothing replenishment but we did get to visit some friends over dinners and that was good. I even got out to my old workplace for a visit and lunch with the old group, those unfortunate ones wishing they were doing what we’re doing. It was nice to catch up and swap stories. Travel stories for work stories. Hmmmmm…. It didn’t inspire me to change my mind and go back to work, that’s for sure.
The week in Vancouver also gave us a chance to reflect on things and see how we really feel about being ‘back’. Between the traffic congestion, high prices, and general atmosphere we both decided that we would rather be somewhere else. We left after the week stay and we’re good with that. Vancouver’s a great city against a beautiful backdrop of mountains and ocean, but we felt we no longer belonged and since we don’t have a home there, ‘elsewhere’ will have to be home for now.
