Ok, let’s back it up a little, shall we?
Last thing you heard, I was cruising down Route 66 and spread-eagling myself across four American states. That was also actually the last thing I can clearly remember, so you’re not alone.
Somehow, the last few weeks have been an absolute blur of crazed decision-making and self-imposed stress.
You see, after a bit of a breakdown in Istanbul last September, where we were so frazzled from travelling that we couldn’t think straight, both Scott and I decided that this year we should slow down. As in, not really travel much at all. As in, have a hairdresser and local pub that we love.
We didn’t really want to stop travelling, but we did want to regain ownership of the Basset Hound (who seems to have been making far too many appearances around these parts recently) and have a little bit of normalcy (whatever the hell that is).
This was never going to be easy, mainly because we’re from two different countries whose main criteria for us being able to live together is to get married. Very quickly. We had neither the time, the energy or the money to comply with that caveat.
So, as we unpacked our backpacks in our house in Arizona, we sighed as we realised that it probably wasn’t going to be for very long, and that we would have to make some quick decisions soon, before my visa ran out.
Of course, being the responsible and measured adults that we are, we laid all of our options out on the table and proceeded to choose the most sensible and realistic one.
And then, the next day, we changed our minds and talked ourselves out of it.
This happened for a period of several weeks, each day starting with us cheering each other on: “We’re totally doing the right thing! This is an awesome decision! Why didn’t we think of this before?” and then by the time night fell, we’d be sat slumped in a pit of despair on the couch as we realised how terrible that plan actually was.
Finally, one day, we grew the balls to say what we really knew all along but were too scared to say. We want to live in Amsterdam. We’ve known this since the first time we went there and it felt like home. We’ve known this in every subsequent visit after that, when it felt even more like home and even more familiar.
So why were we putting it off?
As I write this, we are only a few weeks away from moving to Amsterdam with our measly list of belongings and a dog in tow (who apparently needs more stuff and paperwork to travel than we do *sigh*)
And despite all of my trepidation and extreme scaredy-cat-ness about moving to a different country and my worries about whether we’re really doing the right thing, I couldn’t be happier.
I miss the rain. I miss the bikes. I miss my favourite shops. I miss the canals. I know our little family will be happy there, but I can’t help feeling scared about what this next chapter will look like.
Wish me luck.
So exciting! 😀 I’ve always wanted to go to Amsterdam so I can’t wait to read about what it’s going to be like for you to live there. Oh, and by the way, I think it’s normal to feel scared. 😉
Wow, wow, wow! What a leap to take—and with a puppy in tow—but it sounds like a fantastic new chapter to start for the two of you. I definitely understand the headache of being with someone from another country—you’d think that Tony & I being married would make things easier for us at Canadian/U.S. immigration, but if anything it’s made it worse because neither of us wants to financially invest in the paperwork required to sponsor the other to be a full-fledged resident. So now whenever we cross the border, people treat us like we’re trying to illegally immigrate. It is the worst and definitely makes travel plans that much more difficult.
Question: Since Scott is American and Amsterdam is Schengen, how will he be able to stay for longer than 90 days?
Anyway, I’m really excited to see how this progresses for you and how your travel evolves, especially since we’re looking at traveling with TWO dogs in the near future. Fun times ahead!
I can only imagine how hard it is for you – we both dread border crossings in our respective countries and we’re not married! Where did you guys live before you started travelling? As I’m from the UK, I’m legally allowed to live in any EU country and some of them allow you to sponsor your partner so they can live with you.
My jaw dropped reading this! I can’t believe you’re moving to Amsterdam! How exciting! And how exciting you’ve been on the road this long. Oh boy; I remember when you first left! Amazing stuff 🙂 Really happy for you both 🙂 xx
I know, right? How quickly has the time gone?! Thanks for the well wishes hun.
No.freaking.way. That’s amazing. It’s a gutsy, but very exciting decision. We’ll DEFINITELY have to come visit sometime. I love Holland.
Awesome! Congrats to you both – this is what you were both talking about wanting when I saw you last in St. Louis, so it appears to me like you’re making the best decision for the both of you. Guess we’ll have to start planning a visit! 🙂
Thanks Adam! We definitely want to see you 3 come and visit us soon 🙂
Hi Julia, this is a very exciting step and I wish you both the best of luck. Such a refreshing new start, a new beginning. It sounds like a great thing to make a new life together in Amsterdam.
Also wishing you luck with that wedding bells thing, oh yeah did you mention that? 😉
Haha! The wedding bells were only going to be ringing if we didn’t/couldn’t move to Amsterdam 😉
I’m so happy for you. I’m moving to the Netherlands this summer to study. I have not decided where yet, but I’m working on it. It might be Amsterdam as well. I hope to see you there in September!!
Nice! Let us know if you end up in the ‘Dam!
Oh wow that is amazing news. Amsterdam is a great city too. It’s scary to think of settling down after so much travel, but at the same time it’s a huge relief. Traveling is exhausting and settling down is nice. I’ve been settle for a year back at home & am so ready to be back on the road. This has been long enough. How long do y’all plan on being in Amsterdam for? OMG now all the fun begins… searching for an apt. and adjusting to life in a new country.
I wish y’all the best of luck.
It is scary, and I am ready for a break from travelling. But I know that, just like you, I’ll soon be itching to leave again! I guess the grass is always greener. We haven’t set a time limit for how long we’ll be there, we’re just going to see how it goes.
That’s awesome! Where did you guys stay here in Arizona?
Congratulations on your decision. We just did the opposite and sold our house and are now on the move. The thing we told ourselves before making this huge change was that nothing has to be forever. Good luck and much happiness to you!