This must be the place.
At home abroad (AHA) comes to Substack.
Taking the plunge
I just got off the phone with an editor in Munich who is interested in commissioning some work from me. We successfully negotiated the particulars, but since it was our first proper (i.e., non-email) chat, I fielded the usual questions. Are you Swiss? Or American? Or both? You studied in the US? Your German is excellent. Only a tiny accent, not so easy to place. You didn’t learn German in Switzerland, did you? Do you speak Swiss German too? Oh wow. (etc.)1
While I have pat answers to all those FAQs, there is one question for which I may never have an answer: Where is home?
At home abroad is for wanderers and observers
My personal story is long, but probably not that unique. I’ve changed countries, languages, cultures, and careers several times in my almost-six decades. A constant process of re-invention, where I end up the same person I always was. Just more so.
What does globalization even mean anymore? What’s the difference between a migrant worker, a foreigner, and a digital nomad?
If you are a seeker, a writer, a curious person, with or without roots, multilingual or monolingual, consider this an invitation to join me in considering these and other large and small questions.
What, when, and how much
I’ve set myself the goal of posting once a week and would love to be very organized and tell you which day that will be, but – no. Mostly I need to get started, stop being afraid of my own words, and find my discipline. Everything is free for the first three months, because I am smart and want to get lots of people hooked before charging a zillion ducats to read past the first paragraph.
The world of monetization, at least in terms of my own private writing, is new to me. My son throws real money at a guy on TikTok who plays video games and talks nonstop while doing so. There are many guys who do this, and I couldn’t tell you why some are better than others. And why adolescents and grown persons send this guy money for doing so is beyond me. The money throwers receive nothing in return. If my son’s expenditure is any measure, the TikTok guy is doing quite well for himself.
A paid subscription will get you a gold star in my imaginary list. Your reward will be great in heaven, as my gran would say. And beyond that, we’ll see.
Yes. I used to be. Not anymore. Yes, grew up there. Thank you. No, I did not. I can if the situation calls for it.