So there are things I miss from back home that I would never have guessed and things that I love about here that I could never have predicted either. Here is a list, some things trivial admittedly.
I miss from there:
wearing shorts (not an option here, or short skirts for that matter)
smelling good
a blowdryer
my skin not looking like a shiny mess.(however, my skin is really happy here, it’s just shiny
green leafy, or even not so leafy vegetables, just something that doesn’t have to be cooked
fast internet
I’m just going to say it, and I don’t want to hear anything about it: tofu.
getting drinking water out of the tap
water pressure
bank machines that actually dispense money
good cheese
wearing boots and high heels (what a strange thing to miss but considering one of my friends calls me "boots" it gives you an idea of my fav footwear)
driving myself where I want when I want
carrying a purse, or bag. There are far too many drive by muggings that it is unsafe to carry a bag. The good thing is you learn to be really minimalistic. Keys, phone, money. Go.
walking from a to b
being in public and not having a single worry. This is huge. Despite the fact that it is relatively safe, there is always the need to watch your back and countless occasions where you are in transport and wonder if you will be taken to the place you have requested. Utterly terrifying for brief moments.
Good Beer. The have good names like "SERENGETI, NDOVU(ELEPHANT), TUSKER, CASTLE ETC" but they don't excite the palette. Nigel, you have ruined me.
My people.
I’ll miss from here:
the Indian Ocean. Incomparable. I can get to a tropical island in less than an hour.
Swahili greetings and culture
People holding my hand for extended periods of time (this is a cultural thing, and I love it. They shake your hand upon greeting you, but then don’t let go for a long time and you just hang out holding hands. They might walk with you holding your hand too. )
Living in an apartment in a Hotel (the guards, the cleaners- because it is nice to have a guard and someone to clean your home and do your laundry, but also, it’s so great to have this friendly mini neighborhood that celebrates your attempt to communicate with them)
Fast friends. The expat life is very transient. There are people coming and going all the time here. You find that you become friends very quickly and although you may only have known someone for 2 weeks it really does feel like 2 years. Often you wind up saying goodbye just as quickly as everyone is always moving on to the next stage of life. That part isn’t so good:(
pizza. It is everywhere and it is one of my favorite foods. So that works out.
Dancing. It is so easy to go out dancing here, not like back home where it is a bit of a scene and there are line ups. Here, you go to a restaurant. You dance. You blow off steam, you are ready for another week in this crazy city.
the sound of the mosque. Sure it pisses me off at 4 in the morning but the rest of the day, I kinda love it.
Bajaj. These are like tuktuks and are my main form of transport. Despite the fact that I fear for my life every day when I get in one, they are Dar to me, and usually I have a fun conversation with the driver.
The weather. I am thin. I am not meant to be in places that are cold. That’s all. I return in December- OH NO!
Sundowners. This is what we call drinks in the evening. I’m not a big drinker back home but who can resist a sundowner or two. On that note, it is 5:30 pm and that is exactly what I am off to do.
bank machines that actually dispense money
good cheese
wearing boots and high heels (what a strange thing to miss but considering one of my friends calls me "boots" it gives you an idea of my fav footwear)
driving myself where I want when I want
carrying a purse, or bag. There are far too many drive by muggings that it is unsafe to carry a bag. The good thing is you learn to be really minimalistic. Keys, phone, money. Go.
walking from a to b
being in public and not having a single worry. This is huge. Despite the fact that it is relatively safe, there is always the need to watch your back and countless occasions where you are in transport and wonder if you will be taken to the place you have requested. Utterly terrifying for brief moments.
Good Beer. The have good names like "SERENGETI, NDOVU(ELEPHANT), TUSKER, CASTLE ETC" but they don't excite the palette. Nigel, you have ruined me.
My people.
I’ll miss from here:
the Indian Ocean. Incomparable. I can get to a tropical island in less than an hour.
Swahili greetings and culture
People holding my hand for extended periods of time (this is a cultural thing, and I love it. They shake your hand upon greeting you, but then don’t let go for a long time and you just hang out holding hands. They might walk with you holding your hand too. )
Living in an apartment in a Hotel (the guards, the cleaners- because it is nice to have a guard and someone to clean your home and do your laundry, but also, it’s so great to have this friendly mini neighborhood that celebrates your attempt to communicate with them)
Fast friends. The expat life is very transient. There are people coming and going all the time here. You find that you become friends very quickly and although you may only have known someone for 2 weeks it really does feel like 2 years. Often you wind up saying goodbye just as quickly as everyone is always moving on to the next stage of life. That part isn’t so good:(
pizza. It is everywhere and it is one of my favorite foods. So that works out.
Dancing. It is so easy to go out dancing here, not like back home where it is a bit of a scene and there are line ups. Here, you go to a restaurant. You dance. You blow off steam, you are ready for another week in this crazy city.
the sound of the mosque. Sure it pisses me off at 4 in the morning but the rest of the day, I kinda love it.
Bajaj. These are like tuktuks and are my main form of transport. Despite the fact that I fear for my life every day when I get in one, they are Dar to me, and usually I have a fun conversation with the driver.
The weather. I am thin. I am not meant to be in places that are cold. That’s all. I return in December- OH NO!
Sundowners. This is what we call drinks in the evening. I’m not a big drinker back home but who can resist a sundowner or two. On that note, it is 5:30 pm and that is exactly what I am off to do.
 |
| Several birds with one stone: My friend Sarah who I feel like I've known for a lifetime, sundowners, the Indian Ocean. |
No comments:
Post a Comment