I’m back in Cambridge; back to one of several places I call home. I thought it would be strange to be back. I thought I might experience reverse culture shock. Contrary to my concerns, it has been easy, fun and relaxing. An easy flight (though long… 24 hours) from Lilongwe-Harare-Nairobi-London. A few trains. A few welcome memories and reminders. And of course my friends.
It is the friends that has made this time back so smooth. It has been almost 10 months since I saw many of them, nearly as long as we have chatted, but it feels like no time has past. Do you have friends like that? The ones that you can pick up right where you left off the last time you met? Keep them! They’re invaluable.
The differences… well I find myself searching for them. When I arrived in Lilongwe, the differences were apparent: the sights, the smells, the people, the language, the culture… It was as though I was hit over the head with a board.
This transition is different. Instead of burning garbage and diesel fumes there are 4 types of recycling bins, frequent and conveniently placed next to the garbage bin. There are stop lights… that are obeyed. There are sidewalks… that are paved. And while the unfortunate fashion trend of short skirts and spandex leggings prevails, there is a general freedom of dress that I’m not entirely sure I missed. The changes are less apparent… partly because they don’t affront your sense at every turn… with the exception of British fashion.
It’s the little things. Obviously the scenery has changed, the food, the clothes, the toilets, but in the realm of human behaviours, it is remarkably similar. We still run across the road at every chance (unless you are uber-British). We still go to lectures for the free lunches afterwards (quoting Bill Brower).
It’s a fairy tale dream world of a place, but it’s nice to be back.
