Beginning Again

Friday afternoon I got off the plane, stepped out into the 90 degree weather, and was once again surrounded by the strange familiarity of the place I've decided to call home. It truly is surreal to be back again, and I admit that I have a mix of feelings. In many ways there is so much that is right about being back, yet I am confronted from time to time with a feeling as though I don't really belong. I am still a stranger in a culture that is not my own, as I always will be here. When people ask me basic questions, I still usually respond with a confused look and a statement of "Lo siento, no entiendo," (I'm sorry, but I don't understand). And after a year, I'm still committing cultural fauxpas, even after only 2 days here! Like this morning in church I put my purse on the ground under my chair (as I usually do out of habit, apparently) and then remembered that you don't do that here. All the other ladies had their purses on their chairs. Oops! But as I get frustrated as my brain is struggling to remember the few Spanish words that I know, I think back to last year and how far I've come; how I know what to expect in many ways and how much I've learned. And as wonderful as last year was, I am glad to enter into this year with a little more wisdom, experience, and understanding under my feet. It's all a part of transitioning back, I suppose!

About a week ago I got an e-mail from my roommate informing me that our apartment had been broken into while we were gone. I was a little nervous to come back and discover what was missing, but it looks like we only lost a few really random things, like a lamp, a cell phone, and all my DVDs. We're also missing a few towels and some sheets, but we're pretty sure those weren't stolen - who would want our sheets? Haha... so we keep joking about the linen bandits. Really, though, I just feel so blessed because it could have been a lot worse! Nobody was in our apartment, all of our truly valuable things were with us, and...the stuff that was taken?....well it's all just stuff anyway. And now we have a brand new cage over our door, so we're probably safer for it. :)

It has been so great to see my friends again and catch up on the summer. I also ate some of my favorite things again, like Yogen Fruz and the most delicous mango, and that made me so happy! You haven't really eaten a mango until you've had one here. They're amazing. It's beautiful here and warm again (unlike the rest of this cold summer!), and this morning I was woken up by the sunrise over the mountains. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I pulled my mattress out into the living room because there's a great breeze out there, and when the sun woke me up I was so content. I also ran into one of my students from last year when we went for ice cream, and it was probably one of the highlights of my time here so far. All in all, it's so good to be back again and I'm getting excited about this new year to come. It really is a blessing having two homes! :)