November 2nd, 2012 
Emily 
We’re leaving Kenya soon, and I must say, it’s been a great trip. I’ve ridden on the “Lunatic Express,” visited the ancient ruins of a Swahili society, and tried a hot air balloon safari. Now that the end is in sight though, I’m looking forward to getting back to the U.S.
Here are 5 things I’m most looking forward to:
- Seeing Friends and Family- We’ve only been in Kenya for about 5 months, so our friendships here have naturally been quite superficial. While I was only in Georgia for 11 months before we left for Kenya, I’m still looking forward to seeing friends in Atlanta. Also, none of my family members were able to visit Kenya while we were here, so I’m excited to see everyone over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
With my mom and sister.
- Driving- We don’t have a car in Kenya, and I’m very excited to have the convenience and freedom of driving my car back in Georgia. I really miss being able to drive to the grocery store and load up on a week’s worth of groceries. (Here, we are limited to the grocery store next door, and I can’t carry a week’s worth of groceries back to my apartment.)
- Feeling safe- Nairobi is not especially safe. Terrorist attacks are frequent and deadly, and crimes like car jackings and robberies are also rampant. My husband and I rarely go out after dark, which is limiting. We’ve gotten used to all this, but it still wears on me. I’m privileged enough to live in safe neighborhood in the U.S., and I’m looking forward to returning there. I can’t wait to be able to take walks after dark and enter a building without getting patted down by a security guard.
- Having all my stuff- I’m a minimalist, so I don’t have that much stuff. But as a minimalist, I also packed just one suitcase when we came to Kenya. I’ve been wearing the same 5 outfits for 5 months. I’m looking forward to digging out my other clothes at home. I’m equally excited to have all my books, my cooking tools, and my toiletries at my disposal. You better believe that I’m dreaming of wearing my purple corduroy pants and baking muffins in my muffin tin.
Can’t wait to get my hands on these books.
- Netflix and Hulu- We don’t have a T.V. in the U.S., but I watch T.V. shows on Netflix or Hulu when I’m folding laundry or ironing my husband’s work clothes. (Yep, trailing spouse jobs…) Neither Netflix nor Hulu work in Kenya, so I can’t wait to get home and catch up on episodes of my favorite shows!
How about you? When you leave home, what do you miss the most?
Photo By: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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I miss clothes dryers. They just aren’t that common here in England, which is super weird given the rainy climate. No matter how long you leave clothes on the line, they always stay a little damp. I haven’t worn completely dry clothes in nearly 2 years! I also miss the sun. And avocados.
Good luck with the transition back home!
Yeah, my husband’s parents lived in the U.K for 10 years, and when we visited I was always surprised by the lack of driers. It’s so true- when the climate is that rainy, you especially want to be wearing dry clothes. Sorry you can’t get good avocados there. Come to Kenya, avocados abound!
I miss my bed and alone time. Emily, happy to hear you will be home for the holidays.
Yeah, those are true for me, although living in Kenya I have plenty of alone time. (And a rather nice king-sized bed, so I guess I can’t complain!)
Hmm just thinking about what I really enjoyed when we first moved back to Canada … One was living in a country where English is the first language. Being able to go into a store and not have to struggle in another language, mime, or speak very simple English to someone seemed such a luxury. Also a mail service that worked. I love internet shopping and being able to have stuff just mailed to me (as opposed to expensive overseas couriers) was wonderful. And lastly, knowing I could speak my mind. As an expat and therefore a guest in someone else’s country, I was always trying to be polite or not speak about things I saw that concerned me greatly (lack of safety awareness, corruption, racism, homophobia …). Not that these things don’t exist here in Canada, but at least I feel I can speak up about them.
You make a great point about feeling like it’s difficult to speak up about concerning issues when you’re a guest in someone else’s country. I feel the same way, but hadn’t thought much about it. Since English is spoken in Kenya, I haven’t had to cope with the struggle of trying to get by in another language, but from previous experiences, I remember it being very exhausting.
Oops, we dropped netflix a couple of months ago… we can see about getting it again though.
No worries. I might just get Hulu Plus, since many of my favorite shows are on there. But what to do about Friday Night Lights… we only made it halfway through season 3 before we left the U.S.
Great post – good luck with the move home! Very exciting. As someone who’s moved from the UK to America, the biggest thing I miss about home is just fitting in, really – I find it difficult sometimes that every time I open my mouth people realise I’m different and want to talk about me: it’s really lovely that people are friendly, but sometimes I just want to put my head down and be anonymous, like everyone else! The other thing about having a different accent is that people often don’t understand me, which can be frustrating – silly as it sounds, getting my drink order and my name wrong in Starbucks can put me in such a bad mood!
I also miss the proper variation in the seasons, especially autumn (I am actually missing the cold, I must be mad!); the old, beautiful buildings (I’m in LA, there’s hardly any nice architecture here); the good chocolate! But on the other hand I’ve discovered a lot of cool things – like Netflix! I’ve definitely learnt a lot since being here, and seen so many amazing things, that I wouldn’t swap my experience for the world.
Aww, sorry you don’t get the seasons in L.A. I miss that in Kenya actually, since we had really pronounced seasons in Maine. I could see how you might get frustrated when people can’t understand your accent too. You’re still speaking English, I mean, really!
Not long to wait. I know you will make the most of the days you have left.
Yeah, and I’m looking forward to meeting up with you in Atlanta once we’re home!
Ditto.
NUMBER SIX – JOSH JOHNSTON. duh.
So true. I just miss you even when I’m in the U.S.!
I’m so glad you will get to be home for the holidays!
When we travel, although I enjoy the excitement of seeing new places, meeting different people, and learning, after awhile, I start to miss the peace and tranquility of home. We live on a farm, and it’s so quiet and peaceful.
Well, especially if the kids are asleep or at school. Or reading.
Enjoy your last days in Kenya. Do you know where you’ll go next?
Yeah, we’re really glad to be home for the holidays too. It’s always nice to see family!
We’re not sure where we’ll go next, or when my husband will get another field assignment. I like Atlanta though, so I’ll be happy there for the time being.