This week I have been, understandably, a little homesick. Not dreadfully so, but this is the longest I have been without seeing at least one member of my family EVER. And of course I am in a country where I am surrounded by people, but very few of them speak my language, and this is a very new experience for me. It’s why I came here: because I think it is important to step outside my comfort zone and try new things, and I also think it is good to feel what it likes to be in a minority.
So, my thoughts have turned to commonalities. Because in amongst the strangeness of a foreign country there are many moments that remind me of the universality of human emotions, and the ability to communicate. An exchange with a taxi driver who attempted a little English, with me attempting a little Vietnamese back, lead to us both giggling at our own efforts. A child running with a balloon and squealing made me stop and smile, and the mother following behind met my eye and nodded. A man on a motorbike was clipped by a bus but luckily was not hurt – but my driver and I both exclaimed.
I tried to capture these thoughts in a poem:
Different but the Same
In a bustling
Busy city
It is easy to feel alone.
But in that busy bustling city
A smile
A giggle
A shared moment
Of shock or horror
Reminds me
That everyone
Is human.
(Sally Murphy, 2018)
And then, after I’d drafted this, three things happened. First, I decided to go to a meet up of women, that I heard about through Facebook.But on the way, I got a little lost and, on the verge of giving up and going home, was helped on my way by a stranger, who went out of his way to ensure I got where I was going. Secondly, on my way home from this wonderfully warm morning of chat, I was stopped by a stranger who was lost and, it turned out, I was able to help him (a fellow Aussie!) get his bearings. Thirdly, the discussion in between times lead to us talking about commonalities, and, as a follow up, to sharing of this video from Maya Angelou, all about humanity!
Oh Maya – what a brilliant human being !
Not much else I can say really except have a wonderful Friday.
Poetry Friday this week is hosted by Erin a The Water’s Edge.
PS. This post, and my visit to Hanoi, are made possible by the amazing Asialink Arts Program, and with the funding support of the the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Gov
ernment, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Brava! for your Hanoi adventure Sally.
Your lovely poem is an invitation to explore and to trust.
Thanks Jan.
Such powerful interactions you’re having there Sally–you are indeed stretching as Maya Angelou so encouragingly suggests we each do. It’s easy to overlook the importance of connections and remembering we are all a part of humanity, your poem brings this importance out, thanks!
Thank you Michelle. I am appreciating the connections with my PF friends through this post.
Yes, Maya is a brilliant human being. Thank you for sharing her video. And your post and poem contain much wisdom for us all. Despite all our differences (some wonderful and fascinating, others divisive — or is that just our reaction to differences), we share so much in common because we are all human beings. I suspect your homesickness is one of those universal experiences for any who have been separated from loved ones. I hope you are able to find comfort in connections with your family through the distance and enjoy those new connections with new friends you are making.
Thanks Kay. Yes, i think homesickness is a universal thing – akin tot he feeling we have when we are perhaps still at home but want things to be how they were at some other time. The ability to appreciate those you are missing is a wonderful side effect – absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
I’m so glad you’re sharing the difficult moments as well as the exciting new ones, Sally. I hope you’re taking comfort in your courage and your ability to observe, as a poet, the humanity in all of us.
Thanks Michelle. I am doing so – being able to write about experiences is such a blessing.
Sorry to hear about the homesickness. Thanks for reminding us that no matter where we live or where we go, we all speak the “human language.” Love how you shared the positives you gained through these interactions.
Thanks Jama. Homesickness is hard but it also serves to remind us what we have.
I love this post. I’m not seeing family as much as I wish. This poem reminded me of so much.
Thank you.
You are welcome Jone – and thank you for popping by.
Thanks for sharing Sally. We can often learn a lot about ourselves in situations outside our comfort zone. It reminds me of when I travelled to Spain by myself and one particularly cold day in Granada I felt pretty alone until an older gentleman on a park bench next to me said hello. Such a simple connection but it was enough to keep me going!
thanks Erin. Yes, I am learning a lot about myself, and also finding that my comfort zone is shifting, which is a great thing.
I just read that today is a “day of gratitude” and your post celebrates that, Sally. I know about homesick, missing that familiar that is loved, but your stepping out and trying is wonderful to read about. The poem wonderfully captures the little moments (as Maya Angelou says so lovingly) that mean we are all human. Beautiful post!
Thanks Linda. I am grateful for friends who say such lovely things!
Dear Sally, I know that homesick feeling, and also the small moments that can connect us across time and culture… I remember being a child in Saudi Arabia, how we would play the simplest games like chase and hopscotch without ever speaking each other’s languages. We did what we could. What if we ALL did that? We are with you! Happy Poetry Friday! xo
Thanks Irene. Yes, I think children are very good at overcoming differences- or perhaps not even seeing them.
Oh, Sally….that homesick feeling. I’m sorry you’re feeling it. And, I’m also glad that you are feeling it while pushing past it because that’s the best part. I really think all of us should live in a foreign place for a time and then come home. It’s such a poet’s journey. What wonderful experiences you’ve had and capture in your poem. I have to tell you a quick story because…well, you started it!
I was living in another country for two years as a young and single person. I was having fun but at the point of a little homesickness.
I took a ferry with a new friend to an island. And, on our return, the deck was crowded with people ready to disembark when a dog felt the “call of nature” and didn’t refuse it! A circle of humans widened up around the poor dog in surprise and disgust. I had that thought, hmmmmm. some things are universal. ha! I was so young but really just getting going as a poet.
Enjoy today. I wish you sweet moments of adventure.
Ha! Thanks for haring your story, Linda. Yes, I can see that as a universal moment – for everyone but the poor dog!
I got such a warm feeling from this post, Sally. I so admire your courage in stretching your wings and soaring in a new environment (still thinking of the last PF post I read…). Your post, your poem and your anecdotes are the perfect antidote to the divisiveness that runs rampant in our news these days. Thank you for sharing these commonalities and please keep sharing your adventures!
Thank you, Molly. Sharing my experiences helps me clarify them, so I’m glad they are warming you, too.