Ch-Ch-Changes
Not many people make a decision to lead an uneventful life. As a goal,
it is not a very good one. A person eventually settles into such an
existence. But when I decided to leave the Democratic Republic of
Congo, my home of 16 months, I did so with this very objective in
mind. I wanted Sunday brunches, Target, and coffee with soy milk on a
Friday afternoon while reading an Oprah-endorsed book. I wanted to
just take an Advil when I got a headache, rather than have a panic
attack that I had contracted malaria. Again.
People often tell me that they are envious of my adventurous
lifestyle. They claim to live vicariously through me. I can see their
point. When I read my former blog, Breaking Hearts in the Heart of
Darkness, I see someone whose engagement with the world and unique
lifestyle makes for an extraordinary experience, even if I never saw
it as such at the time. That was simply my life, no exaggerations, and
I included the annoyances and boredom as much as I did the beauty and
excitement. The former usually outweighed the latter. For those that
envied or even complimented my choice, I could not help but wish I
felt the same love for my lifestyle. Ideas are easy to love, and the
idea of living in such a stimulating place like Congo is like having a
crush on an exciting hottie who drives a motorcycle and reads Camus.
That was Africa for me. The land I liked from afar for one reason and
grew to love for the frustratingly beautiful reality it is. However, I
have chosen to leave that life for the tame one. I doubt this blog
will inspire the same envy, but writing has become a lovely addiction.
This blog is about coming home - being a former expat, exploring urban
jungles, and coming to terms with knowing that the rest of the world
is there waiting for me like an old flame, as it is for every person
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