I'm going home to Lisbon

How do you describe travel to a place called home, but not quite yet (or still)?

We all need something to look forward to. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I return to Lisbon in exactly 33 days. To plan my arrival, the new landlord and I have been chatting on WhatsApp.

It’s weird. I don’t know what to call my travels to Lisbon anymore. Regardless of where you’re from, when you return home you usually say that, right? “I’m visiting family in __”, “I’m going home to ___”, or whatever. Saying “I’m going home to Lisbon” feels a bit premature.

How do you describe a place called home, but not quite yet (or still)?

Take Illinois, for example. I haven’t lived there since 2005. Yet, even now, I don’t think I’ve ever said “I’m taking a trip to Chicago.”

I was born in Chicago.

I have friends in Chicago.

I see my family in Chicago.

I go home to Chicago.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about this idea of home. For shits and giggles, I created two charts that paint a clearer picture of how I’ve been thinking about it.

Excluding travel, the first pie chart shows the years I’ve actually spent living in various places as a percentage of my life on earth so far.

For someone who really hates cold weather, I’m used to people telling me: “But, you’re from Illinois!” Yes. I grew up there, and I love it. However, if we only consider adulthood, my picture changes.

As an adult:

• Subtracting college, I’ve only lived in Illinois three years.

• I’ve spent more than half of my life in NYC and DC.

• I’ve lived in Europe slightly less than 10%. So far.

So, where is home? The most honest answer is:

“Right now, I live in DC and Lisbon. I was born in Chicago, but I was raised in rural Illinois and Mississippi. I’ll always have a place in my heart for Amsterdam. The low skies are beautiful, and the flat terrain reminds me of Illinois. But, it’s cold and rainy. I need sunshine.”

Lisbon is so pretty. I appreciate DC so much, but my days living here full-time may be over. In fact, exactly 33 days from today, I board a plane with my U.S. passport to return home to Lisbon.