Even in the Dark

Each time I leave for a trip to Africa, I constantly remind myself that the most difficult part will be the transition. Not the transition from a polar vortex to a tropical sauna or the transition from Kyle and I’s home in Chicago to an 8’x8’ room in central Freetown, but the transition from being comfortable, loved, and happy to feeling disoriented, lonely, and lost.

Today, I would have been quite the site to see. A slightly sunburnt white-girl with short hair dressed in South Asian attire walking quickly through downtown trying to make sure she got to her room at a guesthouse before she burst into tears. In addition to the heat and not being able to use my internet/phone as I had expected, when someone showed me an apartment that I could rent that had no lock, no windows, no fan, no light, no anything except a bed and a rope to dry my clothes on, I lost it. They were trying so hard to accommodate me, which was extremely nice, but I suddenly felt so defeated. I returned to my room where I finagled with my phone and finally figured out how to call Kyle, even though it was the middle of his night. His voice snapped me back to sanity and reminded me that even in the dark, if I am patient I can find my way.

Tomorrow I will be going to look at three different apartments, wish me luck! Next, get to work at the archives! And after that, make friends!

p.s. my entries in the future will be less like a diary and more contemplation, don’t worry!