A cosmopolitan. How to connect to your own culture when you have been away for what seems the lifetime?
I love travelling: London, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Saint-Petersburg, Kiev… Regardless of how big or small they are — each place has imprinted its own spirit in my heart. Though, I get lost — what is my true origin, where is my home, where do I belong to? Whenever I find myself in a foreign land, I will feel different. And every time I attempt to ask that simple question about love. Yet here in Kiev — I can’t dare to, I am speechless.
Kiev is somehow contrasting to me: the blend of new and old. Freedom and imprisonment. I am missing something in this city — I am missing clarity. I am incapable to fit in, because I have already changed. Still, I feel good here. I am safe as if I am certain that the energy of my homeland will protect me.
Kievlyanin, till now I didn’t dare to ask — What is Love in One Word for You? But when I pass by You — I can read it without words. I think I perceive it on Your face, through Your generous eyes. Nonetheless, I may be mistaken.
How to connect to your own culture when you have been away for what seems the lifetime? We fly off to explore distant shores and let aliens enter into our souls. And we seem happy, we are capable to adjust anywhere in the world. We are the new generation — they call us global!
What happens next? Of course, our cultural background impacts our values about friendship, relationship and love. But how do our feelings evolve and do we even notice the transition? And I’ll tell you this. I am observing an incredible thing: whatever cultural difference we might have, makes us so similar when we turn to talk about love.
I am new to Medium and I would like you to connect to my international project “Love in One Word”. To share your perception of love and follow my writing journey. I observe, I connect, I draft: about our emotions, feelings and relationships. I am not the one who is dispassionate here. Perhaps, I’m becoming the protagonist in some stories. My Instagram account is janeukrainesmile where I have already been composing stories.
