I leave the US today, swing back through Sharjah for a few days, and then it's off to Finland at last. What a different feeling it is to be moving to a country like Finland! This is the first time we've moved to a foreign country where people hear where we're going and smile. Somehow, Russia, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE never got that reaction. It's disorienting to have people share with me their happy wishes for Finland, instead of cautionary tales or the obligatory "will you have to wear the veil?"
I also have felt far, far less internal pressure to savor every last walk outside, every bite of bacon, or every perfectly sweet summer evening. For once, I am not heading back to an August oven where I will huddle inside in my jet-lagged misery. This time, the jet-lagged misery will take place in a country with plenty of walks, bacon, and sweet summer evenings.
We'll have to see how the Palmer family does in a country as developed as Finland. I have to admit, I've always been glad Jeremy and I started our overseas adventures in places like Russia and Syria - if you can manage there, you can manage anywhere. I do think, however, that the UAE makes an excellent starter foreign country. It's plenty foreign, and exciting, but you can speak English there and live comfortably without worrying about things like getting shocked by your shower or washing machine, or running out of water for days on end, or risking being killed by falling icicles. All the same, there is plenty of adventure to be had.
In Finland, it will be the first time we've ever moved somewhere where neither Jeremy nor me speaks the language. I suspect that will be our greatest challenge and adventure. So we'll say hello to efficient, hassle-free living, but with plenty of cultural and linguistic adventures!
