Changes.

I cannot tell you how much I love Zambia.  I never imagined when I moved here that I would stay this long…but now I have and I can’t imagine leaving.   What will I miss?!

• My little rondavel house
• Running early in the morning when no one is awake
•  Friday afternoons with friends. Friends. I will miss the amazing friends I have made. 
• Chitenge!  So much chitenge…
• My yoga classes with the most wonderful students ever (see my previous post). 
• Work. I will miss my work at JSI.
• Daily power cuts (okay I don’t know if I will really miss these but I’ve sort of gotten used and will miss talking about them all the time).
• Sundowners (and the amazing sunsets that accompany the sundowners)

Change isn’t easy.  At least it isn't easy for a Libra like me.  I am not great working through the transitions of life.  I love coming out on the other side but moving through the change?  That’s tough.  I have worked very hard to build a life that is wide…filled with people and places and work that is fulfilling.  But that has meant that change is inevitable.  As I prepare for another change I am so excited about the future but still working through the sadness of letting go.  It has been an honor to live and work in this great country, meet amazing and wonderful people who have helped me to grow and will forever be a part of my life, and don’t worry…I will be back.  

Mozambique.  I will see you soon.  

America.

I have to say that going home after a very long time is amazing.  And hard.  When my sister came to visit in October I started thinking that maybe it was time to make a trip back home.  I had missed 5 Christmases, too many birthdays to count, the passing of my good friend and mentor, kids growing up…and you know what I realized?  That time keeps moving forward.  People’s lives don’t stop when you aren’t around.  Which is how it should be, of course.  I have moved forward in my life here.  I share the things that I can and try to stay connected to the people that I love but as my youngest nephew pointed out, “Africa is far.”  Luckily technology makes it a bit easier and I’m grateful for that…at least I can text or call or skype with friends and family.  I’m not sure how people lived across continents without the luxury of social media. 

I had a wonderful time seeing as many people as I could fit into my very short trip home in December.  I also did some very fun things like go to the DMV to get a new license and get my passport sorted.  I drove on what is now the wrong side of the road and ate a bagel.  I shopped at amazing stores including my favorite store (yes, Walgreens).  I got to see snow and a desert sunset again.  I took really long, hot showers (more than one in a day…just because I could).  I also didn’t worry about my phone being charged because there was power all the time.  America really is an amazing place.  But you know what?  I sort of missed the chaos of Africa.  Somehow it sort of just makes sense to me now.

So, happy new year everyone (a bit late as I get caught up with life)!