Re entry

When returning I often feel left out and lost.   Familiar places and people seem different.    They have changed?  No they have not,  but I put then into new light as I come through the crazy time warp from Africa to The United States.    So many people tell the African’s what they have is not adequate.  Yes they can do with a lot of the goods and services we take for granted.   That is not always a good thing.    The first shocker is the constant Blair of news streaming from televisions all over the place.    It is news,  sports, weather, and advertising.  Dogs barking and the call to prayer was irritating at best,  but I got used to that.    I feel more threatened by some comment or twitter  than I ever felt by anything in Africa.   Including an elephant.

We are also distracted by ongodly choices.   I go into a super market to buy salt and am lost in a tangle of scented candles, decorations, funny greeting cards (i liked that)  and anything but an organized way to pursue the needs of the kitchen.   I’ve heard it from others who come to this country and really experienced this time.    It is this constant manipulation through media that seems to be ignored by people.

The car situation has not improved.   I noticed on days when the air is fresh and comfortable people actually air condition their surroundings.  We’ve evolved from not being able to go anywhere without a car,  to not being able to go in a car with out being hermetically sealed.

Then there is the food.  Yes, after being away so long, the food here does not agree with me.  It takes time to rebuild a resistance to plastic and synthetic preservatives.    The bugs and bacteria I developed in my gut don’t like chemicals that have names one can not pronounce.    Oh but I long for some Chepata and oats.  (not really)

Then there is the issue of housing.  I sold my house before coming on this trip.   everything I own is in storage and I don’t own a car.   Try to tell someone you live out of your bicycle,  but I do.  It is not that difficult until you try to figure out the address thing.   Thank God for internet.    I am at least connected.

I am happy to be home and catch up with my family.  In all honesty the nation is too pre occupied with tweets, FB, FOX , and CNN.    I got sucked into the frenzy myself.  I couldn’t even finish brushing my teeth when I would pick up my Cell Phone and start pawing through the latest excitement.  I took a vacation from all that starting yesterday Notice that I am up dating my blog.