Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Leaving Sydney

Leaving Sydney

And then our last week in Sydney arrived.

Even though we have made the decision to move to Germany a few months ago I feel now that we have actually left, we can slowly process the change and realize that it is not just a holiday we are here in Germany for but actually to set up our life again.

I am so grateful for the amazing time I had in my last 4.5 years living in Australia, most of all for the people I met, friends I made and places I have been to. It was a big move back in 2010 but I am so glad I did it and was able to collect all those different experiences and go on many adventures in the last years.

It was a hot Sydney Summer day last Friday, our last day. I got woken up from the noise of the birds outside our friends apartment. Those exotic birds whose songs became so familiar to me over the last years. The Summer light and smells coming through the window and realizing that this will be the last time for a while until I'll feel, hear and see this again. Our bags were all packed up and we had farewelled all our friends over the previous days. So we woke up early and walked through the Botanic Gardens to the Andrew Boy Charlton pool for a final swim. It was a 35C day and it was already quite warm...the Summer sun was standing high and hit the surface of the pool which was glowing in its inviting blue. I put on my goggles and cap and dived into the cool and salty water. Swimming my laps, like the many mornings before work in the last years or late afternoons after work. I put my head under the water, the blue of the tiles seemed so strong due to the midday light and with every move I could see the shades of my hands at the bottom of the tiles of the pool. It was a really nice moment which I wanted to remember as I said goodbye with every lap I swam and seemed to be getting ready to leave after finishing the ritual which I'd gotten so fond of over the years.

We left the pool, our towels around our hips still seeming to be people who are living in that great city but secretly saying goodbye. We went for a last coffee and breakfast to our favorite cafe (Room 10) before we took a taxi and left our street and neighbourhood behind. After an almost 30h trip we arrived in Hamburg, welcomed by dear friends and relieved to finally be here.

The last view days have been all about settling in, catching up with friends, getting used to the different season and trying to find an apartment. It is very exciting to be back and we look forward to everything which is about to come over the next few months. I still have a few photos from Australia which I would love to share with you over the next weeks....

I hope you are all well.
Maria

PS I took the photo earlier this year when we flew back to Sydney from Hobart, Tasmania :)


10 comments :

Ktinka said...

Es freut mich zu hören, dass ihr gut Abschied genommen habt und in Hamburg angekommen seid. Ich hoffe ihr lebt euch schnell wieder in den kälteren Gefilden ein und findet auch fix ein wunderschönes Apartment!

nina said...

auf viele schöne neue alte schritte, liebe maria!

Debie Grace said...

Good luck with finding an apartment! I hope everything will go smoothly as possible there are you are starting again in Germany. I've never been out of my country, though, but soon I will leave and I can totally relate to your feelings about leaving behind all the great things that happened for the past years. :) Wishing you well!

* HOPSCOTCH * ~ Charlyn said...

Happy to hear that the move went well and hope you're settling in ok. :)

Hopefully one of these days we can meet up in Berlin or Hamburg.
xoxo

karen sofie said...

So beautifully written! That sad, yet hopeful feeling of leaving behind a city you love, saying goodbye to all the small things that suddenly has a bigger importance. I so know that feeling from saying goodbye to cities so many times.
I hope the transition goes smoothly and that you settle easily back into life in Hamburg. It's been such a joy following your life in Sydney and I'm looking forward to following you along in Hamburg.
All good from Copenhagen.
Karen Sofie

susanne said...

Mit guten Erinnerungen in die Zukunft starten wie schön! Gebt euch Zeit zum Ankommen :)*

tine said...

Geniesst die Zeit zwischen ein bisschen Wehmut und Neuem... Frohes hinein wachsen in alles Neue...

Unknown said...

I'll miss you, sweet Maria! All the best for your new start x

Anna Emilia said...

Hello dear Maria, now so close!

It was lovely to read those posts, when you moved to Sydney again from a few years back. And it has been so nice to follow your travels all these years.

Many hugs, and now I am off to write you a proper email!

<3

Katie Yang said...

Looking forward to your adventures in Germany! <3