People always ask, "What was Africa like? On the surface this seems like a simple question. Truthfully though, this question is quite difficult for someone who has been gone for 2 1/2 years to answer. Here is an example of what goes through the mind of someone who has lived abroad for an extended period of time when the, "What was _____ (insert any country) question is asked:
1. Where do I begin?
2. How do I put 2 1/2 years worth of experience in a simple response?
3. Ummmhhh so, what are you asking exactly?
Here is the typical response:
1. Africa was great! I learned a lot, and had the opportunity to meet and work with a ton of really cool people!
2. Ramble on for 5 minutes while the person looks on dumbfounded, by the words that are coming from my mouth.
3. I was a PCV who lived in a rural village, and taught English in a school to young pupils. I lived in a hut, and had an amazing family who took care of me. We farmed together, ate together, and spent a lot of time getting to know each other.
On paper these responses seem ok, but don't relay to the person how amazing and awesome living in Africa truly was. You feel as if you're not able to portray or give proper justice to the past 2 1/2 years. Next, you think about some of the extraordinary things you've witnessed while living in the village.
1. Staring up at the sky at night, that's filled with millions of stars, and counting the stars as they soar by.
2. Sharing a meal of Nshima with a family member or a friend that brings you closer together.
3. Playing and singing with the children in the village while chasing chickens, and laughing along the way.
4. Working in the field with your entire family, while shooting the shit on a cool breezy morning.
5. Speaking the local language in town, while you barter for food and clothes.
6. Going out to drink and mirror dance the night away with your friends.
7. Having deep meaningful conversations with friends or total strangers, where everything is open for discussion.
The next time someone asks me "What was Africa like?" I'm going to say - It's an amazing beautiful country, where people are always smiling, laughing, and a willing to give a helping hand when in need.
