We have neighbors who have never been to downtown Waikiki.
When we were stationed in South Korea, I had friends who never left the base.
In North Carolina, many military families had no idea that the Atlantic beaches were only about a two-hour drive east.
As someone who loves to travel, the idea of these military families living through a self-induced house arrest absolutely kills me.
I get it. You are not stationed in a pretty place. It’s too expensive. You don’t like it. You’re not interested. You miss home.
Every military spouse has probably experienced these feelings at some point.
For me, South Korea: not pretty, didn’t really like it. But I went out and found my way through the local markets where I was very obviously a foreigner and very obviously didn’t speak the language - and it was fascinating. The few there who spoke English were thrilled to chat. I cast my net wider and eventually had some wonderful adventures in a country that though I never did find pretty, it is a place I remember fondly.
Kuwait – not really interested. It was hot - miserably so. I didn’t exactly always feel safe, either. But again, we took off in our SUV and saw the sights. Our family will probably never set eyes on that type of expansive desert landscape again. It was incredible. And so was the impromptu petting zoo moment with a camel farmer and his herd who were walking along the side of the road. Best vacation pictures ever.
Florida – I missed home. It was a one year assignment. It was a lot of work to move back and forth for that short period of time. I had to leave behind a job I loved, my friends and my very comfortable, cockroach free house. But into the SUV we went, again, steered clear of the tourist traps and stumbled upon some of the most lovely scenery and scrumptious restaurants we’ve ever found.
Hawaii – My Facebook friends are aghast when I complain about our leisurely existence in the Aloha state. How dare I! But visiting a place and living there are two very different experiences and the island life state has plenty of inconveniences for a spoiled mainlander like myself to moan about. Still, this one feels like a no-brainer. Hawaii’s way of doing daily business drives me crazy but that will never stop me from enjoying hikes to waterfalls or sitting on some of the planet’s most stunning beaches. Believe it or not, we know families here who have never been to the beach.
Regardless of where we are, none, even the fabulous, black sand beaches of Hawaii, can compare to our home in North Carolina. We are counting the days until we return.
Until then, we make the most of where we are, wherever we are. I know a PCS move can place you squarely outside your comfort zone. But let yourself go. You never know what or who you will find.
Go. See. Do. Be. You may never step foot in this place again.
