Today we hit the 90 day mark. That’s 90 days until we leave Nepal. It feels so different from that same stage in Manila when departure was just three months away. Different, how? Well, for one thing I am very busy at work with a big project, and have work and play events scheduled out until almost departure day. I’ve been so focused on all of that, the 90 day mark just snuck up on me. By contrast, in The Philippines, I was ready to leave my job. As Manila congestion got out of control in my area of the city, it had ceased to be somewhere I wanted to live. I was also looking forward to the next country, excited and hopeful about the prospect of living in Nepal.
This time its different…challenging in new and demanding ways. Even though we have known for quite some time that our next post is Jamaica, I am still digesting this news. I’m still chewing over it and trying to figure out how I feel. It’s hard not to say that I’m super excited when I know what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place, but part of me is holding back. Part of my excitement is just the dose of change that this journey will bring, and part of my hesitancy is just that: change. Moving around the world is amazing and also exhausting. Jamaica promises little opportunities work-wise, and it is further away from Europe and our home. And — let’s be honest — I didn’t pick it. And that grinds too. On a bad day, I feel cheated. On a good day, I remember Kingston’s relatively clean air, the fantastic opportunity to go and live on a West Indian island, and my sense of adventure.
Most days, I’m just getting on with the day-to-day. That’s an area where we excel. We have 90 days left and we have just planted new annuals in the garden. Planting flowers when we don’t know if we will be there to see them grow has become a sort of family motto over the years, at least this time (within the bounds of reasonable expectations) we know our departure date…so we plan on tasting at least a few of our freshly-planted tomatoes before we go.
See you at the 60 day mark.
Wright Outta Nowhere 
I’m sure your reassignments are always bittersweet. I like moving and change, but I also get very attached to places. It’s hard but exciting! How do you find work for yourself in each place? Are there ever visa restrictions on that? I don’t know your history but it seems like the moves are part of your husband’s foreign service job … ?? If so, it’s great that you’ve been able to find meaningful work as well.
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Jobs opportunities vary enormously from country to country. Some have reciprocal work visas for diplomats, others have no agreement at all. Its frustrating a lot of the time. I got lucky here.
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Caroline…selfishly I am happy that you are moving to Jamaica…you will be closer to the US and I will make it a point to visit you next January when I am in Jamaica!
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Hi Linda. That’s great. Which city will you be staying in? I will also be in NYC in August.
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Looking forward to welcoming you to Jamaica! We have been living in Kingston for 27 years and it feels like home, now! (well, it should!) It’s a slightly crazy island and not quite what you might expect! Thanks for following my blog!
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Hi there! Thanks for dropping by. I’m not sure what to expect…! Just hoping for a more walkable city with less pollution than Kathmandu…after that is all downhill ;o) Looking forward to reading your blog and learning more about Jamaica. Caroline
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Well, we have had a pretty major air pollution issue recently, which I hope will never happen again (hope!!) It might be a bit more walkable than Kathmandu from the looks of it, at least in the residential parts of town. With my blog, by the way, you have to take the rough with the smooth… 🙂 All the best, Emma
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Caroline…are you and your family okay? Linda
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Yes, a bit shaken up but fine.
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