My last days in Kampala were full of tearful goodbyes, delicious meals, and lots of hugs and promises to return. I visited the deaf school for the final time to drop off some school supplies I hadn't given away yet, and it was really satisfying to see the kids go through the bags of pencils and paper with smiles on their faces. I spent some more time with my Spanish friends and the women that work for TATS. I kept thinking, "If only I had more time here, I could __________."
When I took a final walk to the grocery store down the street to buy some snacks for the plane ride, it really hit me that I was going back to real life. It seemed that every part of me was screaming "Noooooooo!!" But then, I remembered how much I missed my family and friends, and decided that it was a good time to leave. Though I have become very attached to the people here, anymore time away from family would be really tough.
So, I took the airport taxi to Entebbe International Airport, and began my three-flight, 27 hour journey home. The first flight from Entebbe to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia was short and sweet. But then, I had to sit on the same plane for 15 hours, right next to these missionaries who had just gone to Rwanda to give kids Bibles. They had raised thousands of dollars for their trip and for the Bibles, and were so satisfied with themselves for doing "God's work." Frankly, they made me want to puke. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with religious people wanting to spread what has worked for them to others. However, I do have a problem with wasting money on Bibles, when the people you're giving them to need FOOD! I mean, it's common sense people! If you really want to share Jesus's love, or whatever, give these people what they need--education, food, clean water, sanitation, medical supplies, etc. I decided that bitch-slapping a missionary at the beginning of a fifteen hour flight would be a bad idea, so I kept my mouth shut, put my earbuds in, and enjoyed the free alcohol before going to sleep.
Everything about the trip home was smooth. I had no major mishaps, no lost luggage, no missing passport. I arrived in St. Louis feeling groggy, but pretty good. When I stepped outside to wait for my mom to come pick me up, I was suffocated by the heat. I had forgotten that I lived in the butt crack of America. It is so HOT and MUGGY here! I just spent a month in a veritable paradise, and now I have to go back to practically swimming to my car every day. How was I ever used to this?!
Aside from the heat, it has been nice to hang out with family and friends. I'm now preparing to move to my new apartment in St. Louis, a huge departure from my suburban life. I'm hoping that the change will be a good distraction from missing Africa.
I'm still jet lagged, and reeling from the trip home and the invitations to hang out, so I'm not ready to write a summative post about what I learned, how I've changed, etc., so stay tuned. And call me, cuz I'm BACK!
T
