Hyphenated-Homestead

Part 1: The Art of Leaving to Return

Eleven years.

That’s how long it had been since I last set foot in India. It’s a long gap, I know, but life happens. Work, routines, and the comforting predictability of everyday existence kept stretching the years longer than I intended.

And yet, as I prepared to return, the world around me seemed more alarmed about the changes awaiting me than I was. “It’s a different India now,” they warned. “Be ready for the shock.” I nodded along, but deep down, I held onto one simple thought—I grew up there. No matter how much things changed, I would adapt. Probably. (I think!)

The Budget Reality Check at 30,000 Feet

One of the first adjustments hit before I even left American soil—traveling economy on a long-haul flight. My past job had spoiled me with business class trips to Europe, all on the company’s dime. This time, however, the company footing the bill was me. Let’s just say my budget had strong opinions about how I should fly. 😁

Cue 20+ hours in economy, where my 6-foot frame discovered new levels of flexibility (or lack thereof). The seat reclined approximately two inches, which, as I reminded myself, is technically a recline. And the food? Well, let’s just say it was edible, which is a low but important bar to clear at cruising altitude.

But, to KLM’s credit, their comfort upgrades made it bearable—I survived, stretched my legs when I could, and landed in one piece, proving to myself that, yes, I can still rough it (within reason).

The House Checklist: OCD or Just Getting Older?

Unlike past trips, this one required a full-scale shutdown of the house. My wife and I had always traveled for short, i.e. less than 2 weeks vacations together, never needing to leave everything locked up for so long. So, out came the special checklist—home appliances and utilities appropriately prepared for harsher weather and extended non-use, mail paused, home security system upgrade and on autopilot, emergency contacts set, the list was long, and almost never ending. Phew!

Was it my growing OCD tendencies or just age creeping in? Either way, I found myself double-checking things that younger me wouldn’t have even thought about.

And that’s when a strange thought hit me.

Leaving Home, Returning Home

As I stood at the door, about to leave, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years—a pang of separation. A different kind of homesickness before even leaving. It reminded me of the time, 25+ years ago, when I first flew to the U.S. for grad school. Back then, I was the one leaving my family behind, barely aware of what they must have felt watching me go.

Now, decades later, I found myself on the other side of that moment, experiencing a quiet, unexpected shift. Was this just part of growing up? Or was it something else—a recognition that “home” had become a layered, complex thing, no longer just one place, but two?

I didn’t have an answer, but I knew this trip was going to be different.

If you missed the opening blog post about this series, please read it here.

Next up: The Arrival – First Impressions of an India I Hadn’t Seen in Over a Decade.

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