My life as an Expat

Post-Dubai/Pre-USA TravEllen Update, Part 3

And here it is, as I like odd numbers, this is the FINALE blog I will be writing for this blog as I AM HOME!!! I just wrapped up the last leg of my travels, and ... well, it may be time for "My Life Re-Expating," and I can tell my trials and tribulations of adjusting to life back in USA after a total of 9 years away. 9 years!! I left June 2010 for my travel trip, traveled a year, came back for a few months, and then left for Dubai fall 2011. Then left (officially) last summer (June 1st) and... returned almost exactly 10 months later.

Destinations Since Last Update - Jan 2019 to April 2019: Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique (in/out of South Africa many many times), Turkey (in/out of Dubai) and.... CUBA!!

Summary of Part 3: It was nice returning to Blantyre, Malawi because it was going back to a familiar place. The only "problem" was it was dreary and RAINY when I got there and this time volunteering I was due to mentor the 3rd and 4th year students, which I was super enthused about, but long story short, because of the timings, the students weren't there that particular week. Sigh. Soo... being that I had more or less nothing to do, and the weather was dreary, AND more so, think I was majorly suffering from Post Mountain Blues, my time there had a wee bit of a rough start, BUT fortunately, it picked up and up and UP. I looooooooooooooved working with the students and the 1-1. I also was a bit more lazy this time, but got back to the gym a bit. Once I perked up a bit, REALLY loved my time there and definitely the people, have to say my fave people in the world, no joke. Just sooo kind and ... really warm-hearted!
Namibia was an amazing safari, it was super it was a small group, just me and two others, so we had PLENTY of space and was really quiet and as we had a lot of time driving, had a lot of time to reflect and just relax. As expected, the wildlife was amazing, but the geography and nature was beautiful and changed a lot as we made our journey through Okapuka (rhinos!) Okonkima (AfriCat Foundation), Etosha National Park, Himba Village and tribe, Damaraland (Twyfelfontein), seal colony and Cape Cross, Skeleton Coast, Swkapmund, Sossusvlei-Sesriem, and in/out of Windhoek.
Mozambique was AWESOME! Went with my high school friend Christina (living in Africa), and stayed at one of my Dubai friends lovely cabin right by the beach, and we had the loveliest time with her in-laws and MOST awesome of it all is WE SWAM WITH WHALE SHARKS!!! OMG, can't say enough what a DREAM that has been, and it HAPPENED! We went to an area that regularly had them (but you never know in nature) and on a small boat to look for them, saw one and I was totally equipped and ready to go. I saw it... and just started swimming, and swimming... and swimming! No joke, thank gawd I have a background of a swimmer, because I, JUST ME (as no one could keep up) SWAM WITH A WHALE SHARK for a good 15 minutes while the others got back in the boat, and went to where I was, and then 'interrupted' my zen time with just me and the whale shark (just kidding). How graceful and what magical creatures they are, it was an experience of a LIFETIME! We were mostly in Inhambane, Barra Penninsula, but then spent some time in Maputo.
Cappadocia, Turkey - Well, 3 times a charm! My 3rd time to Turkey, but finally made it to Cappadocia! My beautiful Turkish friend Fatos has been inviting me for years, and we finally coordinated it and... it was as magical as I had always thought. Sooo sooo unique, the topography is almost mind-blowing and I again have such an appreciation for NATURE. We had such a beautiful time exploring and ... she's just a wonderful person!
CUBA! Welcome back to the Americas, huh? Well, my grad school friend wanted to go for this Dinner en Blanc thing and I have always wanted to go and it's always hard finding travel friends, so l literally came back from Dubai for a day (my mom's bday) and then was off to Cuba with her and another travel friend of ours. WE HAD A BLAST! It was just soo soo fun, totally a blast from the past trip with the classic cars and just a beautiful place, both people and Havana. We actually kept fairly busy, but it was also relaxing. Looooooooved the music on the streets and just how vibrant and lively it is.
And... HOME! Well, it was NOT as dramatic as when I left, which is strange how it hit me so hard knowing I'd be back in Chicago, buuut again, the day I was leaving, it was quite tough for me and got fairly emotional leaving Dubai. Now I can REALLY say I don't know if I ever will be back there and it really is leaving a whole life behind me. I'm glad that I took baby steps in leaving, meaning when I 'left' last June, I was somewhat okay as I knew I would be popping in/out a few times. Then as I was wrapping up my travels, I REALLY felt ready to be home and felt "done" with the life and firmly have and continue to say "NYET" to ever going back there. Am ready to start a new chapter in my life! But alas, when the time finally came, it was quite overwhelming. Thankfully had the Cuba trip to soften the blow and that slight re-Americanization has helped me adjust better now that I am back.

What next? Well, now I'm at my parents, and... need to start a whole new life! Will take some time to do social visits with fam and friends, and then will look for my own place and find work, pretty much everything "new," but also "old and familiar" if that makes sense. It will be a process, but thankfully soo nice to have family and friends here (vs when I came to Dubai and didn't have anyone). And there you have it! Below are 023943204982394 "highlight" pics, soo enjoy the last of it!

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Malawi: Blantyre

Namibia: Windhoek, Okapuka Game Reserve, Okonkima (AfriCat Foundation), Etosha National Park, Himba Village and Tribe, Damaraland (Twyfelfontein), Seal Colony and Cape Cross, Skeleton Coast, Swakapmund, Sossusvlei - Sesriem