14.2.14

EUROPE BOUND, ONCE MORE...

Photo: Bluespot.de
Charles has gotten a new job at the University of Freiburg in Germany, and so we are moving back to Europe on March 31st (yes, the tickets are booked!). For the third time in 7 years we are packing our bags, storing and selling and giving away our belongings and crossing the atlantic ocean to explore what it's like living in the sunniest city in Germany, Freiburg. Luckily, after 3 years in Vienna, Austria, we have a pretty good handle on the language—we can do our banking, buy groceries and make small, boring, chit chat, are accustomed to—nay, looking forward to—the piles of paper work that await us, and would never expect to get anything done on a Sunday. So far, so good...

To be honest, I'm really excited about the move. We sort of reach a point after 3 years in one place where we both get ants in our pants and are ready for the next adventure. I know that to others it sometimes sounds a little crazy, that moving from one life to another so frequently can seem jarring, that starting over somewhere where you are so clearly a foreigner, where you haven't mastered the language or culture, where you don't know a soul, can seem odd. And I get it, I understand. Because it is all those things, it's hard and I will cry and be stressed and worry about every little thing leading up to the move and once we arrive, but the overwhelming feeling surrounding this move is adventure. This is life. The big moves, hard choices and new situations are what challenge us to grow, to push forward and what ultimately bring us closer together. 

The most exciting part about moving to Freiburg (besides the fact that it sounds like an amazing city) is that we get to share a new adventure with Edwin. We are heading back to Europe one team member stronger, with one more friend, one more adventurer. I am so excited to see how he will respond to his new city, and to share this journey with him. 

I never list travelling as one of my hobbies—compared to seasoned travellers Charles and I don't quite stack up—but I think I might start listing international moving as one. 

xo Bess

8 comments:

  1. Oh congrats! Moving across the pond is always exciting - and you have an up knowing the language already. At least with international moves you don't have to pack (or unpack!) your own stuff! I don't think I'll ever be able to move domestically after all of our easy international experiences.
    Good luck and keep writing the blog!

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    1. Thanks Michelle! Yes, I do find it very liberating to get rid of almost everything we own ;) I will definitely keep writing the blog, it's a great way to stay connected to friends and family, and readers, around the globe. xo

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  2. Congratulations!! I've always wanted to do something like that! I can't wait to follow along with you guys!

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  3. so exciting bess! congratulations and good luck on your new adventure.
    my own little family is contemplating a move across the pond in a year or so. it has been on my mind so much, and the more people i see or hear of doing it, the more i want to pack our bags. i look forward to seeing updates here about what's happening with you guys!

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  4. Wirklich schöner Blog :D und einen guten Start ins neue Leben! Freiburg ist schön und wird euch bestimmt gefallen!

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  5. Oh you are moving to Germany! What what! I´ve never been to Freiburg but it´s supposedly one of the best cities in German (and yes, the sunniest!) So if you ever want to check out the wild East (and Berlin!) we have plenty of space for visitors... just saying :)

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    1. Thank you Katrin, we may just take you up on that ;) Charles has been to Berlin, but I have not, and everyone says it is a pretty great city. AND, it would be wonderful to meet you in person! Let's do it :) xo

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  6. Oh, wonderful! Sad to hear that Montreal is losing you but happy that you are off to a new adventure. Best of luck for the move and hope our paths cross again in the future!

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