Since already 3 months, we have taken a new direction in life. Our backpacks were converted into proper suitcases, our 10 kilos each quickly became 40, and our compass led us even further West.

The energetic city of New York has become our new haven. Josep has returned after years to the student life, and Martina has gone back to her profession. The transition happened so quickly that we barely had time to stop and reflect on how these changes have impacted us. Changes are hard for some and a blessing to others. So far we have been very lucky.

We went from Indiana Jones living with the bare minimum in survival mode, to James Bond tossed in one of the most lavish financial hubs of the world. Our closets suddenly have more clothing than we know what to do with, a refrigerator and kitchen returned in our lives, the bathroom now has a separate shower unit, the toilet flushes automatically and not manually, the water pressure is steady, hot water is a given, and sleeping in the same bed every night is… Priceless.

The first thought on our minds when waking up is no longer, “What will we have for breakfast? Will we enjoy it? What are we going to do today? Are we happy with our accommodation? Where next?” Rather we have daily concerns about work, about our studies, and often about things that honestly are not true concerns, but Western society does this to us, right?

Which lifestyle is better? Neither, both are fabulous and unique in their own way. Are we happy with our new lives? Absolutely. Do we miss Southeast Asia? Undoubtedly…

We miss discovering wonderful places and cultures on this earth that are so different and unknown to us, breathing other lifestyles and mentalities. We miss the scent of oriental spices and Asian cuisine, the friendly smiles of the strangers, the innocent faces of the children, and the exotic array of wildlife that adorns the streets. Each and every country we visited, each and every person we met, and each and every moment we experienced, has left a special footprint in our hearts and allowed us to view life through another lens.

On this note, and to continue this blog, we have decided to also take a new direction. We will now begin a photographic collection of “The Faces of New York”.