It's been 3 months since I have last written a entry, what's new, what's happened? Well....
My last month in Kenya
My last month at work was a very busy one dealing with bookings, inquiries, volunteers and the volunteer house. For 2012 the volunteer housing was changing; a new house which meant a lot of budgeting, and a whole lot of hard core bargaining to furnish the house with a grand African theme! It was endless; so much hard work (harder than it sounds) working crazy hours to get it finished before I left, just hours before I headed to the airport I was still chasing up furniture etc! Was sure one Kenyan experience! Kenyan's were shocked at my bargaining quoting "your better and get it cheaper than us!".
Knowing I was going soon I tried to make the most of my time with the boys in Mombasa where we went on outings, had a lot of fun playing practical jokes which involved a lot of water, by where I kept being told it was my birthday (in Kenyan culture when its your birthday you are drenched in water!) really just making the most of our last moments, also involving a lot of sadness when it came to goodbyes without them knowing when i would return....
Before I knew it the time flew by had to be the quickest month ever! The day I was flying home I went to work having not packed or really realised, "oh yeah I'm going back home tonight and then it hit me!" my last day was a work function by where we celebrated eating cake, planting trees and being called to dance in front of everyone! We then headed off for a Xmas/end of year lunch with everyone which involved a whole lot of meat! Your seated and they continuously bring round different types of meat even crocodile! going round and round your table, makes you feel kinda dizzy with it all and the amount of meat! Next thing i knew i was rushing to pack and then suddenly on the plane felling so surreal and so many mixed emotions about going home, but I really didn't want to go, and wasn't ready to go....
Culture Shock
People always say when coming back from a very diverse country, or more so when you come back from a developing country you get great culture shock. Knowing what to expect still doesn't stop it from happening especially coming back to such a western country at Christmas time where everyone is rushing around spending so much money on things that seem so meaningless and losing the real meaning of Christmas and seeing how such things never make people happy at Christmas or anytime of year. " Money can't buy happiness" spending the last 6 months with such humble people who have barely anything are rich in faith and spiritual blessings more rich and happy than a person who has great success and all the wealth and possession you could imagine. Simple seems to be the best way and seeing the real meaning and values to life. England seems so far from it all and people are missing the point they are just blind to it all. Such sadness. This is hard to be embraced by; and to not fall in to such ways but to grasp on the things that have such great value and meaning, to what my eyes were opened to and the changes that have taken place within me which can have a life changing impact and for the future...
Change...
When I was away so much changed circumstantially, within myself along with my surrounding and everything that took place during those 6 months. Amongst it all you think home is still the same but when you come back, you realise that so much has also changed at home within church where lots of new people new things that are going on dynamics, friendships change, people change. Great to see so many exciting things happening but at the same time was so hard to relate and connect to people and what was home now feeling so detached from it all. However it allowed me to reflect on who my true friends where, what this means to me and seeing the bigger picture. It has actually allowed me to be more free; and not feel so attached to one place as much as I love Bournemouth, the people and Citygate it just didn't feel quite like home anymore, and I have a feeling this is because of what maybe in store for the future.....
Nevertheless it was great being back to see and catch up with people, spending quality time with them and really appreciating the opportunities we had. Along with having to get my placement portfolio done and out the way, before I knew it it was time to fly back! All happened a little fast!
Most people were unaware I was coming back to Kenya for another 6 months and that I was back for good, so was a bit of a shock, but seemed more normal that I was away now, was all very weird being able to txt, call and see people when ever i wanted to!
So just days till i was due to go away I lost my passport, had no idea how I was getting to the airport, had no malaria tablets, no organisation at all had so many things to do in so little time. Thankfully it all worked out just in time and within hours to go...
Next thing I was at the airport staring the plane straight in the face, last minute phone calls and crazy banter with Charlotte before I jetted off! This is it another 6 months, KENYA here I come! Let's see what's in store this time...
Goodbye England!
