Since I have started this research journey, i have visited my ‘homeland’ Greece a number of times, for different periods (ranging from 2 to 6 weeks) and observed myself acquiring the researcher’s stance, towards what Storti (2003) calls ‘re-entry shock’ or ‘reverse culture shock’. It is true that each time I go there I realise that I am feeling as if my ‘home’ is a foreign country, as if I am a stranger in my own land. This is quite distressing and is affecting me in a number of ways at an emotional and relational level. However, keeping a researcher’s point of view to the whole experience and recording my responses can be a method of containment, a vehicle towards my ultimate return and a unique opportunity to tap into getting to know the re-entry experience at a profound level. I can see that i shall keep writing all that is coming up for me, also in order to be ‘clearing’ the space in order to be truly listening to the co-researchers’ story rather than being constantly ‘cluttered’ by the messiness of my own transitional state. Supervision and personal therapy also help around that.

I am reminded of my ancient greek ancestor Ulysses in Homer’s Odyssey…when he returned to Ithaca:

“The Phaeacian sailors deposited the sleeping Odysseus on the shore of Ithaca, his homeland, to reach which he had struggled for twenty years of unspeakable suffering. He stirred and woke from sleep in the land of his fathers, but he knew not his whereabouts. Ithaca showed to him an unaccustomed face; he did not recognise the pathways stretching into the distance, the quiet bays, the crags and precipices. He rose to his feet and stood staring at what was his own land, crying mournfully: “Alas! And now where on earth am I? What do I here myself?”

This reflection of my journying and return will continue…I just hope it doesnt take me 20 years!