After going back to the Netherlands in August 2021 I had my next trip booked to come over with friend of mine. She had heard a lot about North Macedonia and had also listened to a lot of my concerns which involve 2 houses, and which is actually going to be ‘ home’ ?

The big question is of course, is the choice of “home” the same for both myself and Johan? Looking at this fantastic view, taken in October 2021 from Mount Ponikva it gently beckons you into quietness, self reflection and begs you to slow down. If you compare this to the busy life of the city, trams screeching, bars full of fun and laughter, friends popping in for a dinner, the kids, grandkids and work the question is what would you chose? As I write this I am aware that this is a super luxurious choice to have! At the moment there are so many population groups who are being forced to migrate to other countries leaving everything behind, family, friends, belongings, which, however much minimalist gurus will have us believe we don’t need belongings they are part of our rich inheritance which make up our lives and our history and which we pass onto generations to come to remember not only us by but also important events in our lives.

When I emigrated to The Netherlands, 29 years ago, I found it incredibly difficult not having a ‘history’ with anyone, there were no memories from schooldays, holidays together and even the choice of music and the meals eaten held different connotations. What I did have was personal belongings which helped me through some difficult times as it gave me that feeling, deep inside that I was not lost but that I was actually a living breathing person with my own identity, someone apart from an English woman trying to fit in.

Of course there can be advantages from traveling around and exploring new places only to move on when live threatened to become too familiar.

I know this to be a fact, I spent 12 years following that path before settling in The Netherlands.

And so the question remain what makes a home?