I’m sitting back in my own living room and our giant rhododendron bush is still bright pink with blossoms. I’ve just gotten back from a mind-blowing bike ride around the Stanley Park Seawall. It is a glorious early summer day; one of those days that make you shout because you’re just so happy to be alive. Dad is laying the steaks that Mom has marinated on the barbeque.
A friend asked me to sum up my trip in a word. I’ve been thinking a lot about that, and though it is really general, the word that fits best is “different”. I lived a different life for half a year in a different culture. My experience was different then I expected. The challenges were different and I am now a different person.
I wish I could write a nice ending to this blog. It would be ideal if I could wrap it all up in a convenient paragraph or two. The truth is I can’t. The people I’ve met, the sights I’ve seen, the smells I’ve smelt, and the sounds and words I’ve heard will keep percolating, fermenting, and growing in my brain for months and maybe years to come.
What I can say is that you should go. Seriously. Drop what you are doing and go to Africa. It’s good stuff.
Please do e-mail me in a few weeks (stoph_41@hotmail.com) and I will reply. Maybe by then I will have a more congruent response. Feel free to ask very specific questions.
Until the next adventure, thanks so much for reading,
Stoph
