The thing I will miss second most is the music. People sing on every occasion here: protest and strike marches, school tours of the museum, formal parties, you name it. It’s absolutely wonderful.
It seems silly to get nostalgic for a place I haven’t left yet, and for a place about which I spend a significant percentage of my time grumbling, but I don’t know when the next time will be that I’ll return to the Eastern Cape in general and Mthatha in particular. There is definitely something, or maybe several somethings, very charming about this corner of the world. I like that we get a tea and coffee service delivered to our offices every morning at the museum. I like the way random people will start a conversation on the street or in the checkout line at the grocery store – and I particularly like the fact that it doesn’t set off my creeper alarm 99% of the time. Most people here seem genuinely nice and upstanding. I also like the weather – it’s hard not to love a place that celebrates Christmas in 90 degree weather under palm trees – and the beautiful landscape.
In light of recent minor social difficulties I have had, and keeping in mind that I only have another week left here (!), I am focusing on the good things, of which there are many.
Very cool. Is there a chance you could go back to mthatha to work in the museum in the future? aka another fellowship or something or is that not possible? Also love the new pics what is the sign on the side of the road? Stay safe and not sure if warm or cool is correct at this point for you. Definitely it would be stay warm here though.
ReplyDeleteIt's unlikely that I will get another fellowship to come here, but that doesn't preclude the possibility of me returning. I really can't plan much beyond a year or so unfortunately :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the weather, it's definitely warming up!!! It is going to be a cruel, cruel transition back to the Northern Hemisphere in December, lol.
For me, feeling of missing a place often occurs not closest to the time of departure but long before it. I was really sad about leaving Denmark about two months before I was actually to leave. Then I got so busy with return logistics that those feelings dampened.
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