Random Ramblings

It’s odd feeling so much at home in a place that is so far away from home. “It’s because you’ve been here so many time already,” Dom said to me this afternoon. But I don’t think that’s it. I’ve been to England as many times, and it seems much more foreign to me. It’s not because I have more friends here, either, because I have friends in the UK and at home in the US. So what is it? Perhaps it’s just in my genes. Perhaps it’s because I wanted to feel at home here, even before the first time I got off the plane in Kaunas. Perhaps it’s just one of those things that happens to you only a few times, like meeting someone you instantly feel like you’ve known for your entire life. It’s strange because I am so happy to be here, even if I am doing exactly what I would be doing at home! Writing in my own house and at coffee shops, farting around on the internet, watching TV, doing laundry, eating and drinking, knitting alone and with other knitters, talking to Dom, and so on. But in the background is Vilnius and all that this place is about.

This trip is more homey for a few other reasons. Traveling with Dom is very different than traveling alone. When I am alone I am much more aware of my surroundings, in part because I’m a woman traveling alone. The edginess of that experience makes my senses more awake. This is neither good nor bad. It’s just an observation. I’m also not taking any classes on this trip. On my previous trips, again because I was traveling alone, I took classes to help structure my time. Without the classes, I have much more time to fill with other things. A lot of that time gets filled with work, perhaps writing, perhaps knitting, or perhaps tasks related to my day job. Again this is not bad.

Not sure what I’m getting at here. Just wondering why I feel so much at home and why I don’t even care if I am just sitting around doing nothing, I am still happier to be here than just about anywhere else. On the other hand, with this long trip, I’m actually feeling good about going home, even though that won’t happen for two more months.

Well, I’m going to watch TV now. Something I do when I travel alone as well. I am not much on night life, and I usually prefer to spend my evenings in the comfort of my own home, permanent or temporary, with a book, television, email, or my knitting. So, for now, good evening.