The answer from me is a resounding yes.
I was lucky enough to be put on a flight organised by the British Embassy from where I am when the shit hit the fan, and I loved my time being at home with my folks last summer (and having a pint with Chitty).
I'd give my right arm to be back with them now too. I really wish I was at home (at least for a few weeks).
You?
It's been a tough time all around for everyone with some signs of light at the end of the tunnel.
2022 will be a fantastic year of travel and parties.
A standing/singing section is being organized at the Etihad, increasing our capacity to 70k.
If you are over at the right time I'll take you to Mary Ds for a few pints and then onto the match to watch a proper Manchester team in action:bananaman:
Nope. Still here (after 15 months) and happy I was. Covid vaccination in January for me and all the loved loves have been vaccinated. Great spending extra time with my daughter. Last night we were with her for dinner.Quote:
Originally Posted by hallelujah
Mine
Hers
And the daughter
But I do miss traveling. We have two dives planned towards the end of the year in Asia if they are able to get their chit together.
...I don't miss the US strongly enough to want to be there vs Bangkok...
It has been an interesting year and a half for sure. For us Americans we had to contend with 2 viruses, Covid and Trump. We cured one and seem to be on the right path on Covid. Everyone switching to remote work locations was an interesting process but I think it showed us a lot on how inefficient we were. It will be an interesting dynamic when business offices open up as many do not want to return to their 2 hr daily commutes to sit in a cubicle or office.
To your question, No, I do not miss being in the states. While my family and long time friends are there, my home is here now. There are things I miss from time to time but not enough to want to return.
It has dragged on hasn't it. I had plans to travel back 3 times last year but those were obviously skewered.
Been in Thailand 30+ years so I am home and have no desire to return to my home country.Quote:
Originally Posted by hallelujah
Covid has been shit for business, travel etc . . . but it allowed me to stay home since last March, the longest time in memory in one place.
Covid has been brilliant for our family life - bar our daughter in Qld, but she'll finally come over shortly.
Yes, it has . . . one government dumber than the next - who would have thought the world would be looking at the US and thinking: 'Not a bad effort'Quote:
Originally Posted by AntRobertson
You missed a shit winter, beautiful summer and another shit an rainy winter . . . oh, and you now need 25% more to buy a house - welcome :sad:Quote:
Originally Posted by AntRobertson
As an American, I have to say I knew that when the vaccines were made available we would be amongst the very first to get them. That said, I must say that I am dumbfounded as to what is going on in AUS or NZ.Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
Yup . . . it's one thing wanting to appear to be philanthropic, quite another to be so utterly useless and out of touch to not see the benefits of having a vaccinated population, which in turn means the economy will roar back to life and he tourism sector will stop having to receive hundreds of millions in subsidies all the time.
At least Australia has sent vaccine to PNG, Fiji etc... whereas Ardern and Hipkins are just too arrogant to admit they've right royally fucked up - how lucky they are that NZ wasn't hit with a big dose of C-19 . . .
The net government debt is now 50billion, up from 22billion last year . . . not bad for a country of 4.8 million.
Keeping my fingers crossed that doesn't happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
That is a big jump.Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
Its funny Snubs, The US is a tale of 2 stories. One was the worst mishandled crisis ever. The 2nd is the amazing vaccination program taking place now. The good ol saying Zero's to Hero's. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by bsnub
...and if one happens to be outside the trailer park: "zeroes to heroes"...location, location, location...Quote:
Originally Posted by JPPR2
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norton
Same. I've been here 25 years, and over 45 outside of my birth country. Not going anywhere.
50+ for meQuote:
Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton
i would like to go back and see family. when you consider the time i/ they have left, and them not seeing their grandkids etc.
but not convinced it will be this year either
To be fair, they did have a very low starting point. I agree they have got the ball rolling after the unbelievable hiatus of Trump.Quote:
Originally Posted by JPPR2
Catching all the anti Vader’s and halfwits will mean a slow and painful ending. Biden cannot possibly allow the IQ of the country to be dragged any lower than his predecessor had allowed, even encouraged.
I don't really have a home, so whats to miss? I miss not being able to travel though.
Don't miss home in the slightest, glad I landed this current job in Thailand just a few months before the WuFlu started to become a thing.
This happily feels like, and is my home.Quote:
Originally Posted by hallelujah
When I go back to where I grew up it feels like a nice holiday.
Not at all.
I do. Getting home to see the kids, take a road trip, and eat good food is something I enjoy. Summer of 22 hopefully, and the kids are coming around Christmas New Year time if we get our vaccine program working here.
I left the UK about 20 years ago, so home is in south-east Asia, specifically Luang Prabang, in north Laos. The last 18 months have been pretty normal for me, just a couple of lock-down periods, but nothing has interrupted my lifestyle. I feel for the many tourist businesses though, which have either gone bust or closed down/sold up.
Luckily for me, my online Science teaching work seems very stable - and no mad wife to drain my bank account :)
I know quite a few people who have now moved home or at least closer to home over the last few months. Covid has changed many people's outlook on life.
And for those saying that Thailand is home now, don't be silly. You'll always be an outsider and a farang.
I miss swimming pools more than the UK.