Dear Chad
Three months ago, I was sat in your dusty, hot, dry climes,
typing a letter to the Western world. I
wasn’t sure how I was going to find it being back in my ‘other home’.
Now, I’m just five days away from returning to you, and I’m
wondering how that will feel.
I’m going to sit in that metal bird (aka aeroplane) and in
the matter of about 10 hours, be transported to my ‘other home’, in a
completely different world.
Yes, I’ve been in my ‘other home’ for almost three
months. I’ve enjoyed copious cups of
Costa coffee (I only had to go to Starbucks once, cos there was no Costa at
that particular service station!), I’ve eaten lots of bacon, I’ve eaten lots of
cake, I’ve spoken English 100% of the time, I’ve felt cold almost the whole
time (and mostly enjoyed it….either that or I made myself enjoy it because it
will soon be an alien concept), I’ve seen lots of the UK on the 3,500 miles I’ve
driven to visit Churches and tell them about the work at Guinebor, I’ve enjoyed
fast internet, I’ve enjoyed knowing how things ‘tick’ and how processes work, I’ve
caught up with a lot of family and friends and I’ve made fun memories to take
back with me.
I’m looking forward to seeing all my Chadian colleagues at
the hospital. I’m looking forward to
seeing my friends who live in N’Djamena.
I’m looking forward to seeing more blue sky than I can shake a stick at
(!). I’m looking forward to getting back
to ‘real life’, as it is for me now.
However, since I’ve left, you’ve started rainy season. Oh joy!
The humidity! The mud! The lakes and ponds! I’m grateful that I’ve a more powerful vehicle
now to power through on the ‘road’ into town.
I really dread getting stuck, although I’d soon find people to help
dig/push me out, I’m sure. I can’t
begrudge you the desperately needed water and irrigation. It will be strange to see the desert
landscape that I left in May, having been transformed into a green pasture that
will last a few short months.
So Chad, I’ll see you soon for our next epic adventure at
the hospital in the desert (currently green, watery, muddy quagmire)
UK passport holder returning to Chad
