Many meanings of home exist: home is where the heart is. Home is where you’re loved. Home is the place of comfort. And so on. While all of these might grasp a bit of my longings now 3 weeks into a visit of East Africa, I think a different phrase might sum it up better.
Home is where and what I miss when away.
- Tap water: Being a avid water drinker, gallons a day, I miss the abundance at my finger tips. Not being able to take it from the tap is even worse because the supply is not only a health risk but unavailable. I’m not parched but I truly appreciate the ease of drinking at home.
- Space: City life is more natural to me then living on a farm in the middle of nowhere but living on top of my neighbor is not necessarily my forte either. I have enjoyed community living for a good majority of my life since leaving for college so I’m not new to the sharing of space. The difference in Africa is that with a house that can only accommodate 2 or 3 maximum rooms for EVERYONE, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, babies, grannies, aunties, etc. a place to go away from others for silence or to simply stretch out is hard to find. Going outside unless in the middle of the night does not afford that luxury very often either as random animals are always clucking, baying, or mooing at me. I am very grateful that I have my own twin bed so at least my sleeping space is uninterrupted and uninhibited…at least until 4am when the rooster crows.
- Stimulation: It seems with my computer with me I would be as much at ease here with technology and possibilities as at home, but the truth is life is simple. Electricity is random and unpredictable. Conversation can be very enlightening but language is sometimes a barrier so I’m left to make small talk as much as I can. I’m glad I have a book but those pages will soon be finished. So am I complaining? I hope not, I’m just not sure I could handle the simple life of working in the field, eating, going to bed, attending church and meeting neighbors. I want to know what’s going on in the world via newspapers or the internet. I like to play soccer or take dance lessons. I appreciate going to the library for new books and study.
-Running: I can’t stand it. Not only is it not culturally acceptable, but I would probably break an ankle if I tried to jog down the dirt road. I miss this activity I think more than any other. Of course, I’ve done a lot of cross training lately, which also gives me great pleasure, but overall I feel like a sloth. I’ve walked 3-6 miles everyday and yet it’s not the same. Is it ok for me to do exercise and activity for no reason but to simply do? It’s my outlet more than any other and without it, my spirit feels a bit flabby.
-Cat calls: Some might find the attention from the town as a flattering call, but the yelling, calling out and general cat calls to the muzungus is getting old. The children all shot out “How are you?” in the voice of a mouse. While I would answer them in a typical day, they have know idea what I say in response to their call nor do they have any desire to talk to us. They just like calling after us and laughing when we speak. I will enjoy not being a part of the circus when I get home.
-Steady Internet and reliable electricity: need I say more? I’m spoiled at home. And I am thankful that I can post this even a week after my last internet connection.
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