Well, it's approaching that time of year here - the "season" is ending and with that everything on the island changes. The tourists are still here but there are definitely starting to be less of them and many of the people that live here during the high season are leaving. It's strange - you get to know people then they move back to France, Italy or someplace even further. The island is less crowded, you can find parking and the restaurants aren't packed every night.
My life has never been so much about goodbyes. My parents still live in the same house that i grew up in and I lived in NY for 16 years which is throwing distance from where I grew up. I haven't had so many goodbyes now its become so frequent its a bit unnerving. I am trying to settle into a strange place and make friends but I really don't know if they will be here next week or next month. To them its part of life, for me it's so strange this semi-nomadic lifestyle. I was speaking to one woman the other day who moves every six months - to her staying in the same place for too long seems odd and boring for me to move every six months seems reckless. I guess its part of human nature.
Three of my favorite people I have met since I was here have recently left - one to France, one to Italy, one to Australia. Two more are leaving in a week and may not come back. I hope our paths cross again, I actually think they will. I am trying to focus on the bright side - I have some amazing options of places to visit and then I get to see my friends again, but at the same time - that friendship void keeps getting bigger.
I just started to feel like I am settling in, making friends and living here. I miss my friends back in NY but I know they are there and thanks to me having roots there, i will see them from time to time. But it's these short friendships that have me a little unsettled. I'm not sure how to react. It's hard enough with the language issues, now I need to find people that are actually going to stick around which is rare.
So I guess it's just part of living here - people come and go. I guess such as life - people come and go. But its the time you spend together that matters. I will continue to meet new people and they will flow in and out of our lives. The reality is we don't even know how long we will be here. So there is goes - people will come and go, I guess we just need to learn to treasure the time we get together. But they all know they will always be a part of my time here and I am grateful for it!
