Readers of a certain age may well recognise the title of this post as the opening line of the Jam's single Strange Town and it seems quite fitting.
For a few weeks I am back in the Devon town where I lived for most of my adult life until we decided to move to Skopelos.
The truth is everything feels strange here.
I know my way round, I recognise the shops, pubs and other businesses that form the core of the town, but it's all a bit disjointed. My lovely family are the reason for me being here, which is very sustaining. However, I've also bumped in to a few acquaintances and I've been left wondering if I look as old to them as they do to me.
That's the thing when we lose that continuity of contact with people and places. Incremental changes become massive jumps.
Anyway, I'm here for a few weeks so I suppose I'll get used to it. Somehow, though, I can't get this song out of my mind.
I can relate... I've been in the US for a year and the thought of going back to my hometown in Greece makes me feel very strange. (For the time being, I'm avoiding it).
ReplyDeleteI suppose everything changes, it is the nature of things. However, I imagine that it could be quite a jolt moving from your life in the US to Greece. The father of a friend of mine on Skopelos is Greek, but moved to Australia many years ago in his youth. Apparently in Australia he goes on about how good it was in the "old country" but in visits to Greece he constantly finds fault. We humans are contrary creatures.
DeleteI saw Bruce in concert when I was a teenager, it was fabulous. Returning to my hometown a number of years back reminded me that expectations rarely match reality. However, there are great stories to be found in the realm that lies between expectation and reality, doncha think?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit to my little bead world, it's nice to know you're doing well :p
I envy you having seen the Boss. I'm not sure I'd have the stamina these days. I'm having a good time here and I've had some fabulous Hockings Ice Cream. It is creamy loveliness.
ReplyDeleteI live about 35 miles from the town I grew up in. My mother still lives there and if we don't meet somewhere for lunch, I end up driving over to see her as the drive is less difficult for me than for her, all things considered.
ReplyDeleteI was badly bullied when I was in school and every time I drive through there I feel like there's a lot of unresolved "stuff" floating around that I'll never quite be free of.
I'm visiting from the A to Z list. One of my team's blogs is Poetry of the Netherworld.
It's difficult to shake off our past or, if not shake off, at least process it so that we can concentrate on the present, the here and now.
DeleteI'm just getting up to speed with the road trip so over the next few days I'm going to do a lot more visiting.
Seems to prove the old adage...you can't go home again. Enjoy your family time.
ReplyDeleteRoad tripping a-z
Sandy at Traveling Suitcase
I suppose it's expectations and memories of what you think places are like which never quite match up to the reality. I'll be visiting your blog today.
DeleteI have lived in the same area for my entire life. But an upcoming class reunion makes me feel uneasy about my 'age' (and theirs) lol and all the imminent changes we'll all be facing with aging. I have to reassure myself that I should even go. As you mention your sustaining family, I feel that way about my husband accompanying me. I wouldn't go without him. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh! A class reunion. I've never been to one, but curiosity about what has happened to us all over the years could probably make me go. Enjoy your reunion.
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