Word of the Day: TORSCHLUSSPANIK

TORSCHLUSSPANIK (German) - The feeling that time is passing and the chance to do things is slipping away. Literally 'gate-closing panic'. 

I've known this feeling a number of times but didn't know that there was a word for it. I should have known.  The Germans have a word for everything.


Living abroad but knowing it's for a limited time invokes this feeling a lot.  I've written before about finding a balance between normal, daily life and the desire to see and do as much as possible while I'm here. As I approach the end of my 2nd year (of a 3-year assignment) I start to panic! There are still SO many places I want to go and things I want to do.


My first year here was rough and I didn't do as much travel as I would have but the time with the dogs is irreplaceable.  The second year...


I took three trips to the US for training classes.  I got to see my family, visit my sister, see some friends I haven't seen for 5 and 10 years, visit my favorite rescue...


I went to Athens

I met up with Mom and Gran in Lisbon

I stopped in Seville for a few days and fell in love with the city!

I took a last-minute whirlwind trip to London to see Hamilton (I'm going to see it again in 2 weeks but that trip has been planned since the spring). It was the first time I've visited London when it didn't pour rain :D  And no one stole my wallet and passport so it still isn't my favorite place but I might consider releasing my great dislike of the city.

Yes, it's as good as you've heard it is!!!

I went to nearby Lake Garda...it's hard to believe it took so long to visit something so close

I finally made it to Dubrovnik and Montenegro

Montenegro (Spanish for Black Mountains)...interesting because Montenegro does not border Spain and was never under Spanish occupation or rule...is stunningly beautiful!

My brother and his friend just visited and we went to several places in the south of Italy

First we climbed Vesuvius (there in the background) and then checked out the ruins of Herculaneum.

I realize that sounds like a lot of travel but with so many options so close by it doesn't' feel like much. I am fully aware of how elite/entitled/spoiled that sounds.


I just signed a two-year extension so now I have three years remaining.  But the list of places I want to go is looooooong!  So I'm sure I won't be able to shake the feeling of TORSCHLUSSPANIK.


How about you? Do you suffer from torschlusspanik?