There is, perhaps, a middle course: to be out in the world enough to be toughened,
but to have a shelter sufficient to stave off callousness and wretchedness."
- William T. Vollmann
"Did I disappoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without"
- U2: One - lyrics
The time is fast approaching for us to board the plane bound for Europe. We have sold up and/or given away most of our worldly possessions. The cost of shipping everything across and storing it until we found long-term accommodation wasn't worth the effort.
Fortunately, we will be staying in a small, fully furnished apartment provided by my husband's Dad until we get our bearings. Yes, we are very lucky but these things always come at a price, be it emotional or otherwise.
So, the proverbial sins of the fathers have been cast upon us. We are economic nomads. A good job has become hard to find here and the cost of living a middle class life is starting to stretch us a little more than we can afford.
Also, the dangerous trend that leaves most people struggling with extreme poverty contrasted by a privileged elite enjoying untold wealth, generally does nothing to improve people's attitudes and perceptions of the "other". I feel like the "other" and I need to know that I belong. Tell me I belong....?
Yeah, I know, like I'm that special anyway....
Technorati tags: South Africa; economic migrants; affirmative action; Czech Republic
