It’s been a year.  I packed two bags and moved to Africa.  Kenya, more specifically, because I’ve come to learn how much it annoys other people here when you don’t specify the country.  After all, Africa is a continent, and is three times the size of the continental U.S.

I’ve learned how to answer the question, “Where are you from?”  Based on the accent of the person speaking, it ranges from “Dayton, Ohio” to “The states.” I’ve also learned that somehow, and not to my liking, everyone seems to know where Michigan is, and we just happen to be the state directly south.  My identities range from American, to Indian-American, to Westerner, and of course, “Mzungu.”

I’ve met the best kind of people, and consequently the worst kind of people.  For as many things as I’ve had stolen, I’ve also received many gifts of life-long friends, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and a glimpse into the broader sense of being a global citizen.  I’ve learned tough lessons in business, friendship, and cultural adaptations, and hopefully I’ve come out a better person.  I’ve had my heart broken, and I’ve learned how to repair it.

Every single day has posed opportunities for learning and growing, as well as basking in the beauty of an imperfect world.  More honestly, every single day represents a new opportunity to face all the little fears associated with being who I am, in a foreign place, with new people, and new challenges.  But it’s fucking worth it.

I think it takes (at least) a year to…

Build a strong community.  Friendships here develop really fast.  It takes 5 minutes to make a best friend, because let’s face it, we’re all sorta looking for that buddy that you can call 24/7 who will bail you out of one of the many ridiculous Only-in-Nairobi stitches.  Or the person you call when you’ve had a long day and you just need someone to drink a beer with and vent your life story to.

Toughen up on the inside, and Stay soft on the Outside.  And while I’ll admit my reduced level of fitness… I’m speaking more figuratively.  Nairobi has undoubtedly given me many opportunities to become a tougher woman.  I think 99% of the time I’d like to retreat to wine and pajamas and watch re-runs of the bachelor to forget about how tough life can be.  But kidogo kidogo I’ve had to experience the true vulnerability of character growth, and upon reflection, been thankful.  Queue amazing article: perspective

Start to value and appreciate all the benefits of living in Africa.  I regret to say that I spent the last year adjusting to Kenya.  Out of it has come many incredibly positive things… but at the cost of being brave enough to explore the great country I’m living in!  I recently invested in camping gear- and for those of you who don’t know me well… that’s a big step.  I also went camping, twice!  I have started to formulate more concrete plans for Kenya and other parts of Africa, and it’s all looking good!

So to make a short post long, and to inspire all you wander lusters who haven’t taken the leap, here’s a quick re-cap of how awesome my life has been (keeping things positive…)

I swam with dolphins in Zanzibar, Smoked shisha and ate turkish delights on the side streets of Istanbul, paddle-boated the canals of Amsterdam, surfed the tube through London, admired the art and architecture of Bruges, drove the Côte d’Azur of France, rang in the new year in Monaco, ran the hills of northern England’s lake district, wiped out a plenty kite surfing in the Indian ocean, climbed my first crag in kenya, and slept feet away from the deadliest animal in Africa (hippos) at Lake Naivasha.

The adventures never end on this side of the world, and I’m blessed to be a part of them.  I know it’s a little too late for New Year’s Resolutions, but today feels like the beginning of my commitments for my next year in Africa.  To more faces, places, and chases; May the excitement never end!