Homes!

 I wanted to write something different as I have been away for so long, but I just reached the office and took out the phone when Google reminded me of the below pic 5 yrs back and every thought vanished.

What is special about this pic? This is Albert docks in Liverpool and my view from home for over 6 yrs. It was my office for 2 yrs and probably the best office I have worked in. And this pic was taken on the day I was moving out of Liverpool just a couple of weeks before I permanently moved to India.

I have always been a Bangalore boy and was very proud of my life here. So much so that I was adamant not to get a passport until 2005 as I did not want to go onsite. I was happy roaming around in India and said no to any onsite opportunity that came by until 2005. I might have settled in the US if I had not been so adamant about it, sigh!!! Little did I know that I will change my nationality in 12 years and become a Brit (I was such a freedom fighter kind, I can't believe I would be a Brit, that is what an open my mind can do).

Eventually, I convinced myself to visit the US in 2005 and got my passport and Visa done. The travel was canceled 1 day before I fly out :)) Story of me and the US😄

After that, I traveled a lot mainly to different cities in UK and Sydney but never felt at home. I had an urge to return and be with family and friends. Even after getting married when we moved to UK, I was so unsettled and wanted to come back. So much so that I and my Mumbai friend (we used to share a house with his family) used to crib every day and he eventually could not handle it and returned to India (another story that he came back after 2 yrs and is settled in UK).

The first time I visited Liverpool it was different, something about the place felt nice. And I had my best friend as my manager and flatmate. The client team was hostile, there were some insane stories about how bad they were (later realised the fault was on our end). I was in my element and turned it around so much that they were in tears when I was returning.

I worked my ass off for 6 months 15-18hrs a day but never felt any stress. I was cool and had a great time with the people around me. After almost a year of being in Liverpool, the miracle of my life happened, kiddo was born. The bond with Liverpool changed overnight, it was HOME❤️

I finally felt settled and fell in love with the city. The people were great, no filter, they liked you or hated you, nothing in between. They cared they fought they mattered. They had time for a chat or an ear to listen. I have had so many incredible memories and such affection for almost every street there.

That place from where I took the above pic had the highest memories. Kiddo used to walk/fall as a toddler on the cobbled street. His first cycle ride was on the same spot which was super to watch. I have spent hrs looking at the kayaks/rowing on the river, the walks with wifey and kid on the river bank, the high street shops, the small places where we sat while kiddo used to run around bumping into people (not once anyone felt bad about it such caring people), the coffee shops, the restaurants, the night out pub hopping, the early morning runs, the movies, the street vendors, so many things. And when I had to leave, it felt like I was leaving home. The family was already back and I was leaving for good. I remember sitting there just after taking this pic and crying. Like proper tears in my eyes but not heavy sobbing😞 It was one of the most emotional days for me (which is very unlike me).

I have visited/lived in Liverpool few times and stayed for over 2 weeks since then and relived some of the memories. But the feeling was different, I did not miss it as much as I was on that day. Initially, I felt the connection with the city is gone but I realized it was not about the city. It was about the people. I found new people, new streets, new restaurants, new hangouts, new gangs, and home was created! Home is where your loved ones are and how you connect. Lucky for me, I have always connected with people and lived fully.

I cant believe it has been 5 yrs since then. I was happy that Liverpool happened, it not only gave me home but opened my mind that other cities can also be home as long as you find the connection 🙂 Liverpool holds a very special place in my heart and will continue to be my second home. That is where I found joy and probably some of the best days of my life thanks to the Kiddo!!!

Cheers to finding more homes!!!

PS: weird that most of my memories are from the outdoors. Probably because I grew up outdoors and hardly remember sitting at home watching TV/playing games/etc. I have always related to open spaces than enclosed areas.