Until we meet again

I don't really want to say goodbye Bozeman; so we will say au revoir instead. Until we see you again Montana. It won't be straight away, and probably not until the politics has returned to something resembling a sensible democracy, but we will be back. As an aside, we actually get more coverage of the American politics back here than we did in the US, as we didn't watch free TV or listen to radio, so we could pick and choose a bit easier. We were gone from American soil before the inauguration, so will happily say that in our time in the US, the Obama's were still in the White House. Funnily, NZ also changed prime minister while we were gone, but it all happened fast and quietly, and life goes on as it did before. Rather a different approach.  

A big, big thank you to all of those people; friends, family and colleagues; who came on this journey with us. I know a lot of you didn't post comments, but I know that you were reading. I have surprised myself in managing to rip out 99 blog posts for a 186 day trip. Not bad odds really. And no, I am not going to do the one hundredth post - I'll leave it hanging, in anticipation, unfinished, still more to be done. Much like our relationship with Bozeman, Montana. To the question that everyone asks - YES, we had a fabulous time, YES, we could have stayed longer, YES we would do it again. We chose a fantastic little university town/city that matched our lifestyle, interests and general principles - blue voting, growing and changing, full of people who travel, excellent education options, mountains, outdoors, and lots and lots of space.

It has now been one month since we left the US. How does it feel being back in Middle Earth, where it all began? Well, very strange the first few days, but we were expecting the reverse integration to occur and it has. We didn't fight it, or try to draw out the experience and force it upon others. We have travelled enough to realise that travel changes the traveller, but not those you left behind, at least not in the same way. Each to their own journey; and to those who have travelled vicariously with and through us - I hope you had a great trip too, and are inspired to take your own leap one day. Whereever it is that your curiosity and passion takes you.

We are now back into our house, unpacked and back to school and work, normal routines - it feels normal. Swimming in the lake while we can, sorting the garden, running after school activities. We notice differences of course, in coming back. I miss the Montana drawl, and some of the turns of phrase. Montanans heartfelt "thank you soooo much" for the small things, and they "excuse me" if they bump into you. In NZ it is just a brief "cheers" and a "sorry". If you are lucky! The kiwi accent was a startling surprise when we finally heard it again - pretty much not until we got on the  AirNZ plane back to Auckland.

New Zealand is bumpy and curvy, gone are the long flat vistas and amazing interstates. The landscapes are dominated by different colours. It always astounds me how green is never the same green everywhere. Even Australia and New Zealand do different green. We have traded classic red brick buildings and tree-lined neighbourhoods, for weatherboard buildings and our small holiday town. We left snow blanketed roads and yards for sun, swimming and flowers - allegedly. Though summer is a bit hit-and-miss this year. It is nice to be back to the beach and lake; it has reinforced how being a kiwi is so closely tied to water and swimming. The kids missed swimming in Montana, not a water lifestyle there - unless you count the frozen version. 

Car parks and parking spaces are much smaller here too. Driving on the the left took more getting used to that I expected; and we both occasionally still turn on the wipers instead of the indicators. Reverse integration to what is familiar and habitual actually seems slower than trying the new experience, where your senses are heightened. I would now be happy to drop into a European or US city and hire a car and drive; much improved confidence that I can drive on the right.

The kids are back in school, re-settling fine into new classrooms and existing friendships. It is different too, comparing the school systems. As a working mum, I would happily take Montana's seven hour school day over NZ's six-hour one. For the rest, I guess different is just different in schooling and I am trying to be open about my opionions. Unlike banking systems, where there is a strong value judgement to be made. We are back to sensible, fast, efficient banking. No checks. Self-administered bank transfers. Bliss! We are still getting checks (cheques!) arriving in the US to be banked, refunds and the like, so we are still connected to Bozeman by a bank account, as well as people and memories. Though my US Netflix is still working too, so fingers crossed I can keep that account open and working.

We brought back a few things that remind us of living in the US; we just need to find somewhere to refill our growler (a large refillable beer bottle). In the US we could walk into a bar and get it filled for about $8; here the liquor laws don't allow such a thing. Sigh! Petrol and food prices scare me here when they add up. But we are back to familiar foods and brands. Hello again Lewis Road Chocolate Milk! We did get to a point where we found the foods and brands we liked in Bozeman too, but it does take longer than you expect. And I have to say, that having a fully equipped kitchen again is rather nice!

So, to round it all up. Amazing, fabulous. We slotted into another place and life for a while, did a different version of normal, and it was great. Insert as many other positive adjectives as you like. Luca has just asked me when we are going to New York, so we have certainly ignited the traveller genes in at least one of our children. The kids games now include different places, animals and experiences that were not there a few months ago. They know about appropriate etiquette in planes, airports, cafes, motels, and how to cope with really long car rides in search of spectacular views and elusive wildlife.

We will absolutely travel again someday on the big planes to horizons far beyond. We will take the kids in search of new experiences, startling landscapes, rich history, delicious food, and collect people along the way. But for now we are back in Taupo, momentarily motionless as we take a deep breathe, settle back into our nest, and enjoy the summer by and in the lake.

....but we are not going to be still for long. In 2017 we are moving to Christchurch; a whole new island to explore!  We are heading to the South Island for a University of Canterbury lecturing/research job for Matthew. It is not a big plane nor a far distant horizon, but it is a journey nonetheless. While we are staying in Middle Earth, we continue to look out at that horizon, to wonder and imagine. It might not be The Big Sky, but our next move is still a bigger sky, a wider vision; new and more opportunities await.

Thanks to you all for joining us on our travels from Middle Earth to Big Sky. Be sure to keep in touch. You never know, I may even take you all to the South Island with me and keep on writing :)

Au Revoir.
xx