A place of one's own

At year's end 2005, I became a nomad. I've stayed in hotels, guest houses, hostels, inns, private homes, and occasionally more exotic places. Seven years and twenty-five countries later, I am happy to report I have moved to a place. I arrived in Palm Springs six months ago. I moved into a fully furnished apartment on a month-to-month basis and put my belongings into storage. The original plan was to stay there through the tourist season and then find more permanent digs.

Last month, I found out my landlord was going to list the apartment. Not wanting to live in real estate limbo with a flow of unexpected guests traipsing through my space, I started looking for an apartment. I set the bar pretty high: mid-century, small building with character, quiet neighborhood, good light, and affordable.

At Palm Springs Pride, I ran into Alan and Norman, a couple I had met around town at various functions. I knew they owned a building. I didn't know where it was, or anything about it, but I mentioned to them I was looking for a place. They said there might be a unit opening up in their building. I won't go into the dramatic details here of how the unit became available, but suffice to say, it did. Today, I unpacked the last box and finished hanging all but a few pieces of art. What a treat to have all my stuff in one place, a place I enjoy being in, that has my name on the lease. And such a charming place: mid-century, small building with character, quiet neighborhood, good light, and affordable.

For three years before moving to Palm Springs, I lived in Sarasota, Florida in my cousin's guest house. I will never live in a more beautiful setting. As welcomed as I was, however, I was a guest. I loved the Palladian style villeta where I stayed, but it was my cousin's home.

Although I have been here for less than a week, I feel like I am home, surrounded by treasures accumulated over the years in my travels, admiring art and photography executed by people I love. I don't put much stock in the notion of permanence, nor do I have much experience of it. For however long it lasts, it it is comforting to have a base. So far, I have enjoyed my visit here in Palm Springs. I am beginning to think it is a nice place to live.