Homeless Hartlens on the Move to Medellin, Colombia!

In December of 2012, the Hartlen family became homeless for the first time. It began an amazing three and a half year journey almost literally around the world, but mostly centred in New Zealand and South East Asia. We found a permanent-temporary home in Christchurch New Zealand in March of 2013, and in July of 2016, we were temporarily homeless again, eventually finding home again in September of that year. On June 29th of 2017, we will once again be homeless as we slowly make our way to Colombia to find a new permanent-temporary home.

In many ways returning to Canada has at times seemed like a big mistake. We loved our Kiwi family in Christchurch, the weather was good the country was beautiful, and most importantly we were happy. I think the longer we continue this flighty existence happiness is going to be of increasing importance. Coming home has been bitter-sweet. (I will preface these comments by stating that they are not necessarily shared by our entire family but are what I feel) We have been able to catch up with family, we have landed on our feet as far as employment is concerned, and the girls are happy at school and in their various activities. We did not miss the cold, though it was nice to see Clara and Brynn have their first meaningful experience with winter. But, life continues to move on. Nearly four years away from somewhere is a long time, and in that time things change, people change. For me some of my closest friends have moved, and we did not return to those who hadn’t as we are living 300km north of where we used to live. Our home here also has been a temporary one, and this much we have known from the start, so I will readily admit that I did not put much effort into making new connections. This coupled with my general disdain for the town I currently call home, has certainly not helped. Not to far in the back of my mind too, is the probable reality that down in New Zealand, life is continuing and changing no doubt, and were we to go back even as soon as tomorrow, it would likely not be the same. But this is our own - my own, doing.

So, this year has been tough for a variety of reasons, but it has been good to reacquaint with family and I know that my girls are appreciative of it, and our family I think is too. I am a thinker, and a dweller though, so I am always wondering, do the ends justify the means? I think ultimately yes, because the friends we have made  along the way I would not trade for anything, and the experiences much the same: including those people we have not yet met, and those experiences not yet had. I can’t help but feel nostalgic and weepy when I think of how good things have been for us at various times over the last four years, and I know deep down, though the relationships and circumstances have changed, the most important people in our lives will always be there, right?

So, on to new challenges, and the continued exploration of the world by the homeless Hartlens. We head back across this massive country by car because we are suckers for punishment, but also because we have a Kiwi and Bug who have not seen their country, and a ‘Wa who does not remember, despite the fact that she tells us she does, as well as my scattered family along the way. Then, to Medellin Colombia for Spanish adventures in our sixth continent! I hope it will be as eventful as our Kiwi adventures! Buenos noches!

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