You WILL cry when you leave!

You will cry when you leave! Those are the words spoken to me by the Visa agent when I arrived at the Entebbe airport here in Uganda. He went through the series of questions; "why are you here?", "have you ever been to Uganda before?", "how long will you be here?", "you WILL cry when you leave!". I remember thinking "I wonder if they will be tears of joy, or tears of sadness?". I believe they will be both.

We have been here almost a year, and in less than two weeks, I am heading home. What an amazing ride it has been. Leaving here is so bittersweet. I am so thrilled to be returning home to our friends and family, but there are so many things here that I will miss. I have made some very good friends, and settled into a great job.  I have loved the amazing weather. It often feels like a vacation on the beach with the warm weather, a slight breeze blowing, and the smell of campfire (burning trash) in the air. The list could go on and on. 

 

 

Most importantly, I feel like living here has been an experience that can never be replaced. Learning to live with and understand a totally different culture, and learning to accept the ways of a completely different world. Gaining such a great appreciation for the amazing people of this far away land.

I never grow tired of my ride into work as I watch all of the people bustling about. Starting their day at the market, with matokye (bananas) and cassava (sweet potato) laying on the ground. Picking through piles of shoes to get a new pair of crock type sandals that will hopefully ease their walk to work. I often wonder if this will be the day that we collide with one of the matatus (van taxis), or maybe a boda since they are always swarming about. The beautiful little school children hustling to school in their little uniforms and dressy shoes.  I admire the people as they emerge from the little villages that we pass by. The makeshift homes, created out of storage containers, or hand made bricks. The paths are often dusty or muddy, and yet they emerge wearing pressed clothing, and beautiful dresses.

Yes, I will miss this, but I am looking forward to taking this experience and using it to live my life better. To find a way to make a difference in my own community, in the country that I love. The place that is familiar, and easy, and where so many of the people are that I love.