Hola mi Steemians
Very often I am asked, how it is to live in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. And if I wouldn't miss my home-country, Switzerland. What I'm doing for work here; which job I perform or if I would just hang around on the beach all day.
But, I have to admit to myself that I often have the feeling that people think I'm just sunbathing and swimming in the sea. Well, that's nice, my dears. But we have to work the same way for our bread rolls as you do. Okay, I admit, now I am really on a shady beach place and writing this article, but today I have already done some of my to do's.
Some others ask me why I "emigrated" in 2015. Meanwhile, I find "emigrating" as a word rather terrible, because it sounds so final and negative. As if I never would return. Of course it's unique here, but i haven't turned my back on Switzerland, where I was born.
Following the latent feeling that i still need something in life, so I packed my 7 things at the age of 46 and emigrated. Therefore i regard my emigration as an additional exploration and broadening of my horizons, as well as the realization of a dream that has brought to light the development of my own personality. Maybe I would have taken a different way in Switzerland at that age. Who knows!
But it's a fact, that my feelings and the view of things have radically changed since I live here in the Dominican Republic.
Of course I don't want to contradict the opinion of other people, but there are many points and things you only learn when you live abroad. In any case, many of my emigrant friends feel the same or similar way. I'm curious what's your meaning.
The feeling to have two " home"
is a regular participant when I visit Zurich. Although I feel welcome at my parents, my children or friends, I still miss Santo Domingo and my new home here. If I'm back in the Dominican Republic, it's exactly the other way around. It feels like two hearts are beating in me.
to talk unfamiliar in the wrong language
With the Spanish here on the island, now i speak 5 languages. Private Spanish, business in German, English or French and of course my native Swiss German. I mix all together or I often exchange it.
So it happens from time to time that I know a word in Spanish, but have forgotten it in German. Or I speak two or three languages together. Many of my friends say that it's great to be able to speak so many languages, but believe me, that can be a bit tedious. Well, there are probably worse problems...
By immersing yourself in the new culture
every time you lose a piece of your own from the old home. Everything mixes slowly. Personally, this point supports me to come to terms with life here better. The cultures and customs here are so radically different and so exciting. The longer I live here, the more I adapt automatically.
If I used to have a solid ritual to eat 3 times a day, today maybe it's only twice and at different times. Lunch, for example, takes place at 2pm to 3pm. In the meantime I can't imagine another time anymore.
You want more
experience when living abroad. You also want more freedom, more to learn. You also age less and see the world as a playground. I don't judge so fast any more and see life with completely different eyes.
You become more self-confident
and gets to know each other much better personally. In a foreign country, where you can't speak the language properly and maybe you are on your own, you have to leave your comfort zone regularly.
I'm so lucky that I've known many people from the beginning. Nevertheless, I still do many things and master situations that I didn't think to became possible before.
That's why I feel that I'm still growing incredibly and getting to know me even better.
Openness and tolerance
Openness and tolerance have always been very important to me. But here they reach a new dimension through the totally different culture and behaviors.
Not to take things too seriously
i learned quickly here. You effectively stop worrying about trifles, because you know anyway, it will still take its course or because everything is relative anyway.
In Switzerland, I still bitched about this or that. The government, the neighbors, the weather ... anyway.
Here I learned quickly, the grunts cost me a lot of energy and it still doesn't change the situation.
So I keep quiet and enjoy!
You enjoy the time much more
Live in the here and now. Absorbs every single moment. Everything else is not important.
I realize strongly that time is the most important asset. And since I don't live forever, I'm getting the most out of the time I'm allowed to be here on this beautiful earth.
Money and possessions are always less important
Since you can't take anything with you when you have to leave this world, I see money as a means to an end. Possession is ballast (that's how I see it for me anyway). Today, experiences and the experienced feelings count more. To spend time with the family and to enjoy the children every moment.
Of course, this article is just a snapshot and I'm sure one or the other will change again. Nevertheless, every day I learn something new as an emigrant and change constantly.
Personally, I would like to know what you have learned in your travels. Write me.
hasta luego
Your mikeCee