Saturday June 22
Officially on the flight back. It feels like deshacer. As if just yesterday I was arriving at the same airport we depart from. I want to freeze the trip in time and remember every moment and the feelings associated with them. Traveling is a moment in time and you remember stories but it’s hard to recall and communicate the overwhelming emotions. The feeling as strangers are calling your African name “mazungu mazungu” (white person white person). You start to wonder if this is how celebrities feel. Fun at first but there’s no place to hide. The feeling that rushes through your body when the sound of lions rip through your tent. You are asured that the wire fence twenty feet from your tent and two feet from the bathroom will keep out the lions right outside the gate. The feeling of momentary fear when a man approaches the car window as if he was a good friend. Maybe he speaks in Swahili or asked you to bring him back to America. The feeling intoxicating feeling of joy when you smile and wave at a curious Kenya who matches your expression and raise their hand to return the gesture. The feeling of genuine kindness and gratitude from the places with work. Every goodbye is formal, comprehensive, and often accompanied by gifts of food. People’s words are soft and warm. Sweet as sugar.
As I fly, I am happy, content, and full. Generally people dread a long flight. I’m not one of the them. Today is only the start of our 24 hour journey home and I am already dreading the end. The end of the adventure, the start of the rest of my life. No more college, no more summer internships, no more financial aid, no more winter break, no more free vacation. I don’t know if I would call it good or bad. Maybe just indifferent. I know Boston will come quick but there’s a whole summer to live.
Bye bye Kenya! I hope to see you soon.
Wired to Wonder 