Adjusting again

The trip home was long and my flight from London ran so late that I missed my connection in Houston. What a tease to be so close to home! Thankfully they got me on the next flight and I arrived only a couple of hours later than originally expected (and my luggage only a couple of hours after that). I was so happy to arrive back in the States that I took this goofy picture.

So, I made it home safely and (think) I'm adjusted to Austin time again. It is both strange and lovely to be back in the States. Here is a picture of Buddy enjoying a gift from Africa, a Maasai spear. Seeing Buddy and my puppy dogs again was wonderful, doing laundry with a washing machine and dryer was a real treat, and I actually managed to drive on the correct side of the road with no problems! [I was concerned about that - Tanzanians drive on the left side of the road and it took me a good three weeks to get used to it. Just as I really felt comfortable it was time to come back here! I had a nightmare before leaving where I was driving down Capital of Texas Highway on the wrong side of the road.]

Re-adjusting to my "normal" life has been fun, and I have to tell you that I am delighted by the simplest little things now. Take the sink, for instance. I have really enjoyed being able to turn on the sink faucet and 1) KNOW that the water will come out every time, 2) be able to USE the water that comes out, say, for rinsing my toothbrush or even drinking, and 3) have HOT water whenever I want it! My first shower back home was perhaps the best bathing experience I've ever had!! Small little miracles of modern technology that I always took for granted, until I lived in Africa.

Erin (the other volunteer at TAFCOM) had created a funny list of things she learned in Africa, and one night at dinner we helped her flesh it out a bit. My personal favorite was: You know you're in Africa when your daily skin care regiment consists of DEET and hand sanitizer. I am happy to report that I have not used a drop of DEET or hand sanitizer in three whole days now! :-)

On Monday we ate at my favorite restaurant in Austin, Mother's Cafe, where I had a huge plate of steamed vegetables and sage mashed potatoes (I had plenty of veggies in Tanzania, they were just doused in oil or butter or sauce). YUMMY!! I also drank freely from the glass of water that was full of ICE CUBES! I haven't had ice cubes in over a month! I told you, I'm delighted by the smallest, simplest things!

I spent all of today learning more about forming a non-profit corporation and getting myself organized and back into "work mode." I know that I promised more pictures and stories once I got home, and that will be a focus over the next few days. So stay tuned!