Well. After much drama (and expense) that included navigating lockdowns and flight cancellations and quarantine and import/export permits in four different countries, Bella and I are finally back on Australian soil. I arrived in September, she made it back in December. Thank God!
We are both adjusting to life back in the Australia but Bella is loving being back home. Friskies. Fancy Feast. Big window ledges to sunbake on. I'm loving the fact that I can cross the road without dying and the clean, open spaces—and fresh air—but I miss the convenience of Vietnam. There were at least four mini-markets, five cafes and six restaurants within 100 metres of my apartment. Everything was in walking distance, and if it wasn't—it was quick, easy and cheap to grab a motorcycle taxi.
But coming back home has been a good decision.
My anxiety—which I didn't experience before Vietnam—has disappeared. I'm near my family and long-term friends. I've moved back into my lovely unit with its dishwasher, washing machine, gas cooker and garden. I have work (new part-time job + freelancing). And chickens (two bantams named Chicky Minaj and Henny Lamarr). I may need to get a car, but I'm holding out for as long as possible and making do with Stan 2.0 (my bicycle) and public transport.
For the first time in a long time, I'm able to plan, because I don't have the threat of Vietnamese immigration police and impending deportation hanging over my head.
I don't know what 2021 will bring, but I approach it with optimism. It can't be any worse than 2020, right?
Diane Xx
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