Homesickness
#31
Re: Homesickness
Same here, if not more infact. In any case, I have always found home where I have lived and tend to 'belong' there. I settle in new places quick. I only ever lived 1 place I hated, and left after a year..got the folks to send me 'home' to finish school.
Where do you feel you belong out of interest?
Where do you feel you belong out of interest?
I know it's strange - I lived in a beautiful part of France for 7 years and loved it, fully integrated and it was definitely home, but when I'm down in Sussex, I just feel at peace. I also lived in Germany for a while and have travelled quite a bit. It'll be 3 years in Dubai next month, but I'll never be able to call it Home... quite possibly because there is no possibility of integration and so all you can ever get is a feeling of floating on the surface (unless you don't really mind that). For me, Dubai has sold out on its identity - a bit like the Costa Del Sol, and lord knows, that area doesn't appeal to me either!
#32
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 20
Re: Homesickness
I think its missing family and friends rather than the place itself to be honest.
Most of the time I am happy here but sometimes I start thinking about my friends and all the times we shared together & thats what sets me off!
Most of the time I am happy here but sometimes I start thinking about my friends and all the times we shared together & thats what sets me off!
#34
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Al-Khobar & Alicante
Posts: 253
Re: Homesickness
hola !
Apart from the obvious...family, friends, beer....for me its the sea and living on the coast. Home for me is the costa blanca (alicante) and I can spit into the med from my roof terrace, so my daily dog walking is along the amazing med coast and daily life is a real pleasure.
i'm sure those who have or do live by the coast - wherever in the world - will have similar feelings.
i'm filling up now.....
Apart from the obvious...family, friends, beer....for me its the sea and living on the coast. Home for me is the costa blanca (alicante) and I can spit into the med from my roof terrace, so my daily dog walking is along the amazing med coast and daily life is a real pleasure.
i'm sure those who have or do live by the coast - wherever in the world - will have similar feelings.
i'm filling up now.....
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 162
Re: Homesickness
you see, that's the funny thing, when I go back, I just focus on the positive and strangely enough, there's a lot of positive (including the freak-show at Asda).
I've been back for 6 weeks now and have crammed nearly every day full of amazing things... In fact, there are only 4 things that I genuinely miss about Dubai:
- Mr Kitty
- Mr Kitty
- Mr Kitty
- eat-as-much-as-you-like buffets. (I haven't forgotten about the BE brunch, btw!)
I've been back for 6 weeks now and have crammed nearly every day full of amazing things... In fact, there are only 4 things that I genuinely miss about Dubai:
- Mr Kitty
- Mr Kitty
- Mr Kitty
- eat-as-much-as-you-like buffets. (I haven't forgotten about the BE brunch, btw!)
I also like 'green and damp' after 'bleached bone mercury arc welder light and dust'. I don't miss little england however.
I can understand about Dubai, it's always struck me as an artifical soulless place of little or no charm or beauty.
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Al-Khobar & Alicante
Posts: 253
Re: Homesickness
haha ! i can totally relate to that ! ahhhh...ASDA..mini scotch eggs, pepperamis, gingsters jumbo sausage rolls, twiglets...irn bru, stella,...heaven on earth !
sorry, very rude of me during daylight hours at this time of the year...
ciao..
#39
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 20
Re: Homesickness
I agree. Despite my list I like to visit the UK. After a six month stint in KSA I've been known to fall to my knees and cry in the booze and pork pie isle in ASDA.
I also like 'green and damp' after 'bleached bone mercury arc welder light and dust'. I don't miss little england however.
I can understand about Dubai, it's always struck me as an artifical soulless place of little or no charm or beauty.
I also like 'green and damp' after 'bleached bone mercury arc welder light and dust'. I don't miss little england however.
I can understand about Dubai, it's always struck me as an artifical soulless place of little or no charm or beauty.
#40
Re: Homesickness
One tip I would give it to try and get out of Dubai every few months, hatta fort, RAK, Oman - it makes a big difference getting out to somewhere more chilled without all the madness. I went to RAK on the weekend and was so chilled when I got back, away from the mad driving and everything.
#41
Re: Homesickness
Go on then, I'll bite, as it's Thursday afternoon. Why is Dubai so 'souless and artificial' ? Why does being new make it less valid than a new town anywhere else?
There is some history here and in the region, some good people and I am of the opinion that if someone's life is souless and artificial then that is of their own making as there is plenty to do here if you can be bothered.
There is some history here and in the region, some good people and I am of the opinion that if someone's life is souless and artificial then that is of their own making as there is plenty to do here if you can be bothered.
Last edited by Meow; Aug 18th 2011 at 11:41 am.
#42
Re: Homesickness
Sussex.
I know it's strange - I lived in a beautiful part of France for 7 years and loved it, fully integrated and it was definitely home, but when I'm down in Sussex, I just feel at peace. I also lived in Germany for a while and have travelled quite a bit. It'll be 3 years in Dubai next month, but I'll never be able to call it Home... quite possibly because there is no possibility of integration and so all you can ever get is a feeling of floating on the surface (unless you don't really mind that). For me, Dubai has sold out on its identity - a bit like the Costa Del Sol, and lord knows, that area doesn't appeal to me either!
I know it's strange - I lived in a beautiful part of France for 7 years and loved it, fully integrated and it was definitely home, but when I'm down in Sussex, I just feel at peace. I also lived in Germany for a while and have travelled quite a bit. It'll be 3 years in Dubai next month, but I'll never be able to call it Home... quite possibly because there is no possibility of integration and so all you can ever get is a feeling of floating on the surface (unless you don't really mind that). For me, Dubai has sold out on its identity - a bit like the Costa Del Sol, and lord knows, that area doesn't appeal to me either!
#43
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 20
Re: Homesickness
It is, but once you find some decent mates (can take a while) you'll be a lot more settled, it makes a big difference - and there are lots of great things to do out here.
One tip I would give it to try and get out of Dubai every few months, hatta fort, RAK, Oman - it makes a big difference getting out to somewhere more chilled without all the madness. I went to RAK on the weekend and was so chilled when I got back, away from the mad driving and everything.
One tip I would give it to try and get out of Dubai every few months, hatta fort, RAK, Oman - it makes a big difference getting out to somewhere more chilled without all the madness. I went to RAK on the weekend and was so chilled when I got back, away from the mad driving and everything.
#44
Re: Homesickness
Didn't help that I started working for a local company and I was the only white lad there and everyone spoke Hindi or Arabic to each other.
#45
Re: Homesickness
I wouldn't say 6 months is that long or unheard off. I tend to find my feet properly about the 2 year mark. The first year, you just scratch the surface, the 2nd year..you begin to assimilate. Well..that's been my general experience. By the time I have felt totally comfortable however..it's time to move..lol.