I’m one of those people who doesn’t attach itself too much to places. I attach myself to people, to things… but home is where the heart is for me, quite literally. That fierce pride that some people have for their city or their country is wasted on me.
Leaving Hoorn after 26 years was surprisingly easy, and I only get pangs of regret when I’m actually back there and the sun turns the IJsselmeer silver. It’s only the lake too, the rest of it leaves me rather indifferent. I think I’d thrive in other countries as well, I’m not too bothered by it. If there’s brilliant people to hang out with, I’d be fine.
That’s not saying I wouldn’t miss things though. I’m pretty attached to hagelslag, good cheese and tapwater that tastes good (as in: doesn’t taste like chlorine), thank you very much. But there’s one thing I’d miss most of all. And that’d be the tempestuous September skies. The piercing silver sunlight, the thick clouds and the surprisingly azure patches of blue sky… alternating so quickly. And all the while temperatures are still so mild and temperate. Rainbows galore! The rain sucks, of course. It’s wet. But I tolerate it, because it makes the world so pretty.
If autumn wouldn’t be such a herald for the winter that I detest, I would love this time of the year.
It’s not just the rainbows… it’s also this:
Check those rays of sunlight! So awesome. Yeah, I’d miss that like crazy.