You know, my thoughts were all jumbled up in South Africa. Then I started getting my bearings and making a bit of sense of things. And then I flew back to America. The cycle begins anew...
To say that "coming home" provides the warm, fuzzy feeling you perhaps assume it will is to be just damn naive. Sure, it was an easier plane ride back than on the way to S. Africa. And reuniting with Danny was the best. But (not to be a Debbie Downer) not everything is unicorns barfing rainbows (thanks, Nate). For instance, I have to take my dog to the vet tomorrow, because the anxiety that my absence presumably induced is prohibiting him from keeping food down. I'm still jet-lagged. I feel mildly disoriented (don't ask, hard to explain). Starting a new semester one day after returning is unequivocally NOT FAIR. I'm hooked on anything on facebook related to our experience (comments, pictures, whatever). I swore I saw Anthea from MaAfrika coming out of a Perkin's today. And don't get me started on the weather.
I know we were told, before we ever left Minneapolis, that the return would not be easy. But I guess I just thought....well, that it wouldn't be all that bad. Nonetheless, we're back. We're attending class. We're randomly running into each other on campus. We're going about the normal order of things. But I would be remiss to not acknowledge the strange feeling of longing. It could be something as simple as the African sun and the view of Table Mountain. And it could be more complex, like the shared experiences with the kids from Delft and our daily experience as a class community.
All in all, there is an emptiness that seemingly can be better filled by continued interactions. We know what we saw. We know what we experienced. We know that such things are nearly impossible to describe in words. What I am trying to teach myself is that it is ok. Arrival back in the states does not mean I fade into ambiguity and wallow in my misery. Instead, I have to reach out to my peers. Keep the communications and connections alive. We are so strong as a community, and that strength will keep us going... even through another Minnesota winter.
It sounds like you had a pleasant trip to South Africa, it is a very special corner of the world!
I was born in Zimbabwe and know South Africa well, having witnessed the changes that have taken place over the last 2 decades.
The euphoria I felt when Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island soon dissipated with the infighting and power struggle in the ANC ranks.
I am deeply concerned with the way the poor have been abondoned to get poorer while the political elite continue to gain further wealth and power.
This is a situation which the South African government seriously needs to address so that the disadvantaged sectors of SA society (unemployed, elderly, sick and infirm) can receive better state aid. Job creation needs to be stepped up to deal with the largely ignored and disenfranchised youth.
I fervently hope the problems can be addressed so that more people like you can continue to visit and enrich the country with your skills and expertise.
Thank you!