December is here South Africa. What this means to most of you is long hot summer afternoons, n braai here and there, the beach for many. To put this in a personal context; my family will be ‘summering’ in Jbay for most of the festive season. I know the routine so well, lots of lazy days spent on the beach, good meals at our favorite restaurants. An entire day trip will be set aside to stock up on the best home made rusks under the sun (yes they will drive 2 hours to ‘thyme and again’ a home deli close to Plett). Drinking wine on the balcony, relaxing, staring at the distant dunes and counting the fishing boats far off. I suppose it is this knowledge that has brought a sudden wave of homesickness out of nowhere as I settle even more into my expat English teacher life.
I was under no illusion that this time of my life would be by any means easy and adventurous on a constant basis. It is however, a different story coming face to face with the reality of being so far from home, and despite the blessing of friends made here, alone.
I should maybe go back and delete the first two paragraphs or rethink the structure. I realize that you might think I’m not happy here. Let me reassure you, I am very content with my decision and everyday routine. Not for a second have I regretted this almost impulsive decision. I am not even thinking of going back home till the right time (possibly June). I suppose this is just a difficult time to be so far away from family.
All this has forced me to pay special attention to all that has so generously blessed me with beautiful, colorful and meaningful experiences. I would be disappointed in myself later if I spent too much time missing Jefferys Bay and my mommy. So what is it that makes all of this worthwhile?
Firstly the lifestyle, as I mostly work in the evenings I have whole mornings and parts of the afternoon to spend either in utter laziness of long lunches, appreciating my close by park or writing long e-mails. I have this ideal that I will start being more productive like learning the language, taking art classes or even exercise… hmmm it is still an ideal at this stage.
Then secondly, my job as an English teacher. I have mentioned this before but I am still amazed at just how much I do love this job for the most part. It truly is a wonderful opportunity being allowed into peoples lives… helping, motivating and even inspiring them to grow and be better. I am in love with my students. Their willingness to learn and participate simply brings such joy to my heart. Hardly a class goes by without some good giggles and silly jokes. As an English teacher here you are unofficially expected to be part educator, part comedian and part entertainer… needless to say I am in my element here.
Of course a special mention must simply be given to the people I have met so far. People from all over, different walks of life, each with their own unique story. To give an example the other night I found myself on a rooftop in the company of a Brit, an American, a Swede and a Dutch person. (Side note on the Dutch guy: we had some great conversation in Dutch and Afrikaans, was hilarious).
Then lastly, the simple things that make Hanoi unique. The view from my balcony could be a boring sight after a while, but I still find amusement just looking out on what is happening below. Like the neighbor that speaks to his birds everyday, the singing sweet potato lady walking up and down the streets, the constant buzz of every day life in my otherwise quiet alley. The hundreds of brides in the park, weddings are a big deal here, and the wedding party will spend days on their photo shoots. The make shift side walk restaurants. Fruit and flower stalls on every corner. Motorbikes transporting anything from an entire family to a flat screen TV. Yes the small everyday sights allow me to simply loose myself in all is different and yet normal.
I can not end this blog without making mention of right of passage into adulthood. I had my first parents meeting last night, and never before have I felt like a grown till that moment. I had to stop myself from saying Oom and Tannie… like I would to my friends parents. Paying tax, taking cough syrup by myself, traveling to the other side of the world I thought would be a good sign that I am no longer a child, but the parents meeting will go down in my personal history as the moment I grew up.
