Forgive me, readers, for I have sucked. It has been 24 days since my last post.
Yes, I’ve been busy. But
never am I so busy that I can’t find a little sliver of time to write an update
when something remarkable happens. No,
the real reason is slightly more interesting than simply a lack of time. The main reason I haven’t written is that I have
felt as though I’ve had nothing to say.
It’s not that life got any more boring – it’s never really
dull here – rather, it’s that I’ve gotten too used to it. I’ve reached homeostasis. I’ve reached the point where life here is
just life and it couldn’t be any other way.
All of the quirks and idiosyncrasies that at first were so interesting
and notable are no longer cause for notice.
I still make sure to take pleasure in the little joys of everyday life,
but not because they are novel; just because they are nice. Even the sparkling excitement of going away
for the weekend is abating. I’ve been to
most of the places that we can get to in a weekend and the appeal is quickly
fading. The people and the jokes change,
but the experience is largely the same.
I don’t mean to say that I know everything about this place
and its people. On the contrary, the
more I learn, the more I realize I don’t understand. I just mean to say that I’ve settled in. My tourist goggles have largely fallen away
and Mombasa is more and more becoming a place I refer to as mine. If I had a few more months here, I would
probably revel in my newfound sense of place.
As it is, it comes just as I am beginning the process of saying goodbye
(perhaps because I am saying goodbye?). And
I’m ok with that. I’m glad to know that I’ve
been here long enough to achieve it, but I can’t wait to get to a place that
doesn’t require such a severe settling in process. A place that is already home.
When I left Lincoln 5 years ago, I knew I would be back and
forth, but I wasn’t certain I would live there again. I certainly never thought I would be so
excited to move back. But, time goes,
things change and now I can’t even wait to be home. I can’t wait to see everyone and just settle
in. To just be instead of constantly
relearning how. To take a break.
I’m a little bit nervous, though. The fact that I’ve gotten so used to things
here makes me feel like I may have a bit of a time readjusting to such a
completely different world. The potential
for reverse culture shock is great. So,
if you see me in December looking a bit dazed and confused, please be kind. I’m dealing with the fact that the mundane
has suddenly become noteworthy again – then check back here because I’ll
probably feel the need to write about it.
