Global citizenship!

Though there isn't any official document that says that you are a 'global citizen', you know it when you are one. This citizenship, unlike the other official ones, can be acquired whenever you desire and gives you only one advantage: a chance to get an enormous amount of varied life changing experiences. Rather than going into too controversial details of whether this citizenship comes for free or no, I'd prefer discussing its interesting aspects!

Globe-trotting through different non-touristic, unconventional parts of the world can bring you exceptional experiences. The moment is priceless: when you are alone, completely lost and trying to find a way back to your new home, you tearfully and reluctantly take a turn to find your destination right in front of you! (Google maps are helpful only if the 3G network is working!) Such small achievements boost your confidence and make you forget how fed up you were with such new beginnings a moment ago. I have had numerous such occasions where I have wandered along the unknown streets of cities thinking about how fairy-tellish is this to see the ruins of ancient Greek temples or luxurious seaside resorts or a hidden museum. The realization of how certain undreamed dreams actually come true is wonderful. Every new city talks to you through many channels and if you open your eyes and ears you will be surprised by the fascinating stories it has to tell you! Here in Beirut every time I step on the street I discover a new thing, I hear a new sound, I see a new aspect. Now I am used to seeing the Army tanks right in the middle of the street, the gun shots, the inquisitive looks etc. etc. What I love the most about Beirut is its starry nights. You can clearly see the stars at night despite the eye-blinding hoardings that adorn almost each street of the city. When I look up and see these stars I feel a certain calm and I think about all my friends and family who are scattered worldwide because at the back of mind I feel that only these stars are the connecting points of our worlds.  I know it's too Bollywoodishly-romantic, but that's how I feel!

Then you meet people from different parts of the world who have lived in many other diverse places and have had their share of experiences. Every time you meet these people, who usually themselves are global citizens, you can feel that despite the fact that you come from different countries you all share one common global fear: whether integrating into the new city, new culture would be easier. This holds true every time you move to a new place irrespective of  the number of years you have been on the move. Everybody talks about their homeland, their friends and family traditions and those unspoken sighs indicate that we all miss our homes pretty badly. You are torn between the new tempting horizons and your home-sweet-home that you have left behind. Everyone fears the possibility of becoming an outsider...to your own people and home. Because while you are playing your Columbus, you miss out on an awful number of birthdays, weddings, family dinners back home. Life goes on without you and you realize that so much has changed that now you  have to try to fit in in something of which previously you were an inseparable part. At no fault of theirs, people learn to live without you and you just have to deal with it!

Of course, this continent-hopping teaches you a great deal about yourself. I have surprised myself at times by reacting in completely different (and better) manners to certain situations. This self-discovery is the best part of this global citizenship. It makes you extra alert and teaches you not to take things for granted! You learn to have dinners, walks alone. You enjoy building your new life from scratch through a new language, new culture, and new people. The joys of visiting a local market, bargaining with the vendors and not getting ripped out, learning to cook a local dish and succeed in it, taking a decision of which bank to choose to invest your money etc. are not to be found in your own protected homeland. It makes you extremely strong when you deal with your long distance relation and its realistic yet unpredictable end. You see your heart shattered all over but like my dad says when you are so far away from home, only you can help yourself and this, my dear friends, is true! Such coming-overs are extremely hurtful but relatively shorter and you are surprised at how quickly you can move on; something that would never happen at home where you are surrounded by your best friends and family and are pampered with all the pep-talks! But though hurtful, it is a very important experience and usually a life-altering one! This independence and self-reliance are too precious to lose, yet at times, it makes you wonder that the price at which it comes, is it really worth it.

Once you settle in and the initial adventures of discovering a new place are faded away, you start forming unbreakable bonds with this new-but-now-not-so-new place. Eventually, you do get integrated with its people and culture and you start feeling at home. The best part is you can be whatever you want to be and nobody really objects. You get the satisfaction of the fact that you did get a chance to evolve and that you succeeded in this self-imposed challenge of adjusting to new, uncomfortable environments. Nonetheless, at the back of your mind, you always long to back to where you came from. You do want not to feel 'ex-pat' for some time because being exotic can be exhausting! Living in a new place is quite exciting and thrilling and you learn about your own strengths. But this learning is not free. You need to accept the fact that you can't be in two places at the same time. So you will find yourself awake at odd hours thinking about what you must be missing out on in that other time zone. The opportunity costs of making certain choices can be really expensive...

Therefore, if you are thinking of taking up this citizenship, my only advice would be to think twice.
But, only twice!