Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

By the time I get to North Carolina today I think I'll have spent at least as many hours in airports as on airplanes! Yesterday I was a fixture at Java House at the Nairobi airport where during my 8 hour layover I drank cappuccino (which made me miss Africafe just a little), watched Egypt win the Africa's Cup of Nations with a goal in the last 5 minutes, struck up conversations with random travelers, and bought a t-shirt so I will always remember the good times at NBO. This morning I've made myself comfortable in the British Airways lounge at Heathrow where I am once again bingeing on cappuccinos and trying to stay awake so I don't miss my flight to NC (where I am both fearful and excited for the sub-zero temperatures and snow on the ground...it will be a big change from the 35 degree temps and sweating that begins as soon as you step out of the shower!).

For the first time that I can remember, rather than feeling sad and anxious, I felt happy and calm about leaving; I’m proud of my work, but I’ve done as much as I can do right now. I love my house and friends, but that's not enough reason to stay. I don't want to be an expat who overstays their expiration date.

I’ll be back for a few weeks at the end of next month. And I’m sure I’ll be back in some capacity in the future. I just don’t think I can do much more good here until I go away and am able to come back in a different capacity. I’m motivated to gain the skills and experiences I need so that I can come back to Malawi in a new role and have a greater impact.

(A picture from the fields behind my house last week -- where many sunsets have stopped me in my tracks, left me breathless, with tears streaming down my face -- even this rather ordinary sunset filled me with peace)