Summer love

I have had a whirlwind of a summer!

I’ve walked the cavernous rooms of the Tate Modern while discussing life in small town Ireland with our friends in London. Stumbled across a makeshift throwback to my hometown in Borough Markets, while sipping on freshly pressed watermelon juice.

Wandered the streets of Dublin City South suburbs in search of potential homes, apartments and neighbourhood haunts with the fantasy of moving back to a city. To the buzz, the hum and the noise of other people, events and life in motion.

I’ve been on dress duty in Toronto, looking on as one of my childhood friends married her travel partner and New Zealander soulmate on Toronto Island in a dreamy and warm beach wedding along Lake Ontario.

I’ve explored Irish and Canadian seaside, countryside and cityscapes by foot, train, DART, streetcar, VW Golf, ferry, water taxi and plane. I’ve yet to ride a bicycle in over four years!

I’ve watched baseball, FIFA World Cup, hurling and Gaelic football games. Families playing in the park during the long Irish summer evenings and moonlit cinema movies on picnic blankets in the Christie Pits park.

I’ve found a great BBQ restaurant on South George Street, dined on seafood and sauv blanc in the quaint suburb of Howth and drank some of the best coffee in Toronto at Jimmy’s on Portland.

Of course I’ve also been enjoying both Irish domestic and Canadian craft brews, as long as the summer patio season will allow.

Now as the days are getting shorter and I’ve touched back down in Dublin to go back to work I’m left with a funny feeling. That life is not split 50/50 for us between two countries. Some of me still feels like it’s in Brisbane, while other parts long to discover new European destinations and relax with friends and family in the Canadian comfort of home.

How can I be from one place and love others so much?