How I Missed Cheese Sandwiches; Surviving Coming Home

I am quite aware that my life at home now is no longer half as interesting as a week ago when I was half way across the other side of the world. But, none the less, I thought I should keep this blog updated as to my doings and what teachers/travelers should expect upon heading back to their real world. I must admit, I slotted back into it a lot faster than I expected, but still, there are little things that you notice that you paid no attention to before you left. As I know a lot of teachers read this, here are a few tips on how to adjust to coming home.

Obviously, when you arrive home from 37 degrees in Asia, the first thing you notice is the cold. Nothing can prepare you for that blast of cold air that seems to live in the tiny crevice between the plane door and the attaching walky thing ..... ye, bad English, I know. Anyway, Tip #1, try wear shoes that you can wear socks with. I arrived home to Dublin Airport at 7am in a pair of flip flops, a strap top and a pair of those baggy colourful Thai material trousers. Not good for the aul bones with the wind chill ... brrrrrr.

Tip #2. Expect to deal with emotional family. There is something about airports that bring out the tears in even the toughest of men, and trust me, the sight of your family after 17 hours on planes and no sleep will make you a little crazy. I personally felt that I was in some strange dream, as lack of sleep can't seem to make sense of all the familiar accents and smells and people. It's almost like you expect to hit an 'end call' button, find yourself looking at a skype screen and head back downstairs to finish cooking your rice.

Tip #3; The amazement of western food. Upon arriving home, try to control your hunger. Now, it doesnt matter how much airplane food you ate on the way over. When you arrive in and suddenly find yourself surrounded by all the western foods that you have been desperately dreaming of for the past 7 months, it is so tempting to stuff yourself with the whole lot. Your stomach, which is used to rice and veg, will not thank you. Try to hold a little self control ..... although the cheese usually wins .... you can't say no to the cheese.

Tip #4; Jet lag. You will not be able to avoid it so don't even try. The trick is to ride out the day until it comes to normal going to bed time. For me, this meant 43 hours with no sleep as I arrived home early morning, and by 9pm I was on the brink of insanity with my desire for my beautiful soft bed, but it helps you get back to a normal system. If you go to bed mid day you will find that by 10pm your body will think its some strange time of the morning and not want to sleep. Ride it though.

Tip#5; Reality. Finally, and most importantly, its important to understand that you are now a worthless unemployed emotional mess who will spend your days watching Jeremy Kyle and talking to your cat while the rest of your family go about their normal lives. Tough truth, but a truth none the less. The trick is not to care. You have just arrived back from hopefully the most incredible thing you have ever done, and guess what? Its ok to do nothing until you find yourself a job. Sleep, eat, sit, talk to the cat (I am sure she missed someone to watch Jeremy Kyle with) and don't overthink it. Give yourself at least a week or two to see everyone you want to see, chat to the family, get used to the food again, to the surroundings, and then think about how to become a productive human being and not some smelly tanned hungover post-student with a big bag. Hold on to that tan as long as possible, because you never know when you will get the chance to get one again.

Oh, and one last thing, print out pictures and stick them in your room. After a few days of the same world you left 7 months ago, its easy to forget what an absolutely incredible thing you did. Waking up to a reminder of the world beyond the garden gate will brighten any morning .... and have you unconsciously googling ozzie work visas, US Summer camp jobs, and inter-railing ....

Slán