So, I spent the last few weeks visiting my home country of Switzerland. And yes, we saw the alps, and we saw many cows.

Strange as this might be, I realised, I miss them. Meaning the cows. Yes, and of course the alps, and some very dear Swissies, too. But then I realised I miss the sea, the smell of eucalypts, and the weird & wonderful critters and humans of Australia, too.

So, this is the lot of the expat, heart torn between countries, continents, and hemispheres. Friends and family sprinkled over the entire globe. And, while distances have grown smaller, and technology better, it is never quite the same when visiting, rather than living in a place. When having a heart to heart in the flesh or a face to face over FaceTime.

Today, I am joined by many people, who live in a land far from where they were born. Sometimes by choice, sometimes sadly not. This no doubt gives rise to similar feelings and things to contend with, and maybe entirely different ones, too. Though, I would bet, most miss age old friendly faces, happy childhood memories, favourite animals, foods and smells more than anything in the world.