Monday, August 10, 2009

Leaving thoughts

I left Kitgum today, and I can honestly say that I've never been so sad to leave a place. Which is ironic because initially I was really sad to be there. I'd been trying to prepare myself to leave for a few days, but after delaying my travel by two days it was just a shock when I actually really had to leave. 

I feel like I grew so much and learned so much about myself in my month in Kitgum. The project with Bishop is to a point where it will go on without Lindsay and I there. Which is really good news. It will definitely need some tender loving care when we all return, though.

Leaving this morning was only made more difficult because, while I'm planning on coming back in January, nothing is definite. And if I don't get myself back here, I'll be absolutely devastated. I was emotional from the start this morning, and I cried all the way from Kitgum to Gulu. I don't think Bishop knew what to do with me. And the poor guy on the bus next to me had to feel horribly awkward. It's just that I've gotten so attached to these people and this life. Jumping back and forth between the US and Uganda has forced me to be constantly missing someone, somewhere. 

Bishop Ochola had a going away party for me a few days ago, and it was so nice. I didn't really know most of the people there, but it was nice for them to show up. Bishop was so so sweet. He said I'm part of the family now, and that I'm like a daughter. And he gave me an Acholi name. Adyer, which means "the center" meaning loved by everyone. How nice is that? Staying with him and his family was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

Driving down that same dirt road from my last post, I tried to take in everything I saw. We drove by camps and schools. Beggars and school kids. Bodas and busses. Mothers and old women. All of them going about their days and their normal lives. All of them living in these conditions that they don't get a break from. And I'm lucky enough to be going back to all of my comforts. How does that happen? 

I'm trying to make plans to come back in January. I've been by Gulu University to try to set up a type of exchange program. And I've thought of a ton of different research topics. There's so much work to do to get everything organized. And I need a ton of funding. I don't even want to think about how upset I'll be if I don't work this out. 

I have a few things to do and a few people to see in Kampala before I leave. Have to do a little souvenir shopping for those of you at home. But I just hate to say goodbye to my friends here. Even though I'll be back, things won't be the same as they are now. Things will happen and people will change. 

As a final thought, I'll leave you with this picture of Kitgum. There's only one hill around, and it's a really popular place to go watch the sunset because it's so beautiful. It's a great place to go to think or spend time with friends. You could see all of Kitgum when you looked around. And just like driving at sunset, it seems that doing anything at sunset in Africa just feels right. 




This is Africa :)