Hi Everyone,
Well, I returned home Friday night, about a month early. The volunteer opportunity in Arusha turned out to be a sham, as was the "Program Director", Titus Tossy. Long story, but I was rescued by a woman named Elizabeth and her business partner, David. After some discussion on whether to continue my travel, I decided I was done with Africa and was no longer enjoying it in the way that travel is meant to be enjoyed. Traveling alone to countries where I don't know a soul is one the most liberating things that I get a chance to do. It allows me to be more open to people and experiences than I think I would if I had the comfort of someone I already know with me. And I think everyone should try it, at least once. But it is also tough. There is the obvious occasional loneliness (which, for some reason, seems more pronounced for me in larger cities). But there is also no one to watch your stuff if you end up stuck in a city bus terminal at O' Butt-Thirty and you are exhausted and in need of a cat nap. Or if you want someone to hold your passport when you see a beautiful beach and really want to go for a swim. And there are never days that you can just let someone else do all the planning of things like how to get from one place to another while barely knowing the language or walking all over town with all your stuff while looking for a safe, clean-ish place to sleep within your budget.
So after 3 exhilarating months of it, I threw in the towel. There is also an upcoming election in Kenya that has seen some violence in Nairobi, and I was warned that I might not be able to fly out if it gets worse. The trip home took two long days. There was a seven hour shuttle bus from Arusha to cross the border into Kenya. The bus ride was beautiful. It went along the Rift Valley and it was lovely to look out the window and see the Masai Mara goat herders. It almost made me want to stay and explore Kenya, but instead I caught my eight hour flight to Heathrow with an eight hour layover in Heathrow Airport and then an eight and a half hour flight from Heathrow to Seattle).
Still really jetlagged since it is an eleven hour difference in time for me. Still having a bit of a culture shock. Why is everyone driving on the wrong side of the road? What is with all these Christmas decorations when I still haven't had Halloween and Thanksgiving? Why is there HOT water for me to shower in every day, and why is the ratio of blacks to whites in public the exact opposite of what I am now used to? But VERY glad to be home and still trying to relax and let my guard down after my experiences.
Africa as a whole is a beautiful continent, full of wonderful people. The red earth, the gorgeous sunsets in colors I am not even sure I could have imagined, the music and sheer energy, the wildlife that was truly wild and not even in a game park all were absolutely amazing. But there are also painful stories and experiences that people shared with me, massive poverty, lepers begging on street corners, refugee camps, and things that my head and heart can't process that truly exist, as well. Africa changed me in ways that I may never be able to describe. That said, I wouldn't necessarily recommend solo travel by hitchhiking and using public transport to anyone (especially females). I am sure it would have been great if I did organized tours. But as we all know, that just isn't my style. Not sure what I could have done to make it an easier trip, besides the obvious "more research/planning". It is just a bit hard to process everything right now.
So what are my future plans? I have no idea. I am going to try to look into the nursing thing some more. Need to check out Seattle Central to get some of the core pre-req classes taken (or retaken like chem, bio, organic chemistry and such). Would like to find a healthcare volunteer job somewhere in the area. And I guess I will have to look for a job some time in the near future. Oh, and finish some of the work I have been meaning to get to around the condo. And I suppose ordering groceries is on the to-do list as well! I do know that I am not planning any foreign travel in the near future.
If anyone is heading to Tanzania, the woman who saved me and was absolutely wonderful works at a safari/tour company called Nature's Gift Safari. I have her contact info to pass along, should anyone need it. And SOMEONE should go and get the African safari experience that I never got a chance to do!
My pictures are now up and available (or you can view them as a slideshow)
Thanks to all of you that sent email notes of news, greetings, and responses to my ever so lengthy updates. I read and loved each and every note from home. I also owe a huge thanks to my parents, D, and especially L who helped me get me back safely after a frantic email and for keeping me sane(ish) through all this. Now who is up for some Pan Africa food... I am awake any time between 1 AM and about 11 AM?!?!?
Hope to see each and every one of you soon (if I haven't already run into you).
Love,
Betsy
