More than a year ago I joined Marina and Sascha on their mushroom-picking excursions, the memories are so vivid. The colours so lively and the smells almost reach my nose.
It almost seems incredible that a year has passed since the first arrival to that unknown and distance area, Siberia.
The year passed and the aim was reached: a finished thesis on Siberia's women's organisations; and with that a degree in East European Studies.
What comes next feels sometimes even more unreal and uncertain than Novosibirsk ever felt before taking that plane...
At the same time I am currently comfortably getting used to a very familiar place, the Netherlands.
After 4 incredible and inspiring years abroad being 'back' during a typical Dutch autumn, with its own smells and colours, takes me to a life which continued during the years I was away.
I am more than grateful that 'nothing changed', that I fit in and feel at home again.
Makes me wonder whether I will feel at home whenever I return to Novosibirsk. It will definitely always be familiar, from now on...
