I just came to your blog via the Online Telegraph! Good article, and I do have sympathy for your post today. We are living in South Africa, although my husband is English and we all (we have two young sons) have UK passports. We have just relocated to a really lovely university town and we are very happy to be here, but the Jacob Zuma debacle is hanging over everything. When does one decide the writing is on the wall and leave??? We're hoping to get another five or so years out of it... but like your Dad we've always said that if it comes down to it we can be on the last flight out. It's never dull in Africa!
I always thought once you have lived in Africa, it will always call you back. Having been away from there for ten years now (with on and off trips back), I am now planning a move back to where my heart is (I believe it to be).
Reading your post today has stirred a few emotions in me too and I think to myself maybe I am expecting to go back to the Africa that I left back ten years ago and maybe in some respects I will, but I also know that there is a lot that I shall have to accept quietly. And those are the things that I am afraid of.
However, it is all an exciting adventure that I am looking forward to...having grown up in Dar es Salaam I am looking forward to living in Nairobi and look at it as a challenge that I want to take on with an optimistic view.
Sorry about the worry over Zuma. I (almost) rue the day that I began my obsession with local politics - I often think that blissful ignorance would be better.
and Priya,
I lived in Dar too for four years and absolutely loved it, though overall I think I enjoy Nairobi most as it has such a good buzz, fab cooler climate, lots going on, not so far to travel for safaris etc.
I grew up in as a little white kid in Africa (Liberia), and that experience of growing up in Africa was the best gift my parents could have given me. I hope that your daughters will feel the same way.
Dont worry too much about the kids, growing up in africa will give them amazing stories to tell when they grow up.
I have a mzungu girlfriend who is always amazed when we meet with my friends and talk about what we used to get up to when we were kids and our "war Marks" , My friends has a metal replacement for an arm bone and collectively, 5 of us have 48 stiches.
I know this is hell for aparent but it was amazing fun as a kid and i wound not change my childhood for my girlfriends barbie house set.
By the way, Thank Jesus/Allah/Buddah you didnt get Boys. Africa & Boys = Depressed parent
I just came to your blog via the Online Telegraph! Good article, and I do have sympathy for your post today. We are living in South Africa, although my husband is English and we all (we have two young sons) have UK passports. We have just relocated to a really lovely university town and we are very happy to be here, but the Jacob Zuma debacle is hanging over everything. When does one decide the writing is on the wall and leave??? We're hoping to get another five or so years out of it... but like your Dad we've always said that if it comes down to it we can be on the last flight out. It's never dull in Africa!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI always thought once you have lived in Africa, it will always call you back.
Having been away from there for ten years now (with on and off trips back), I am now planning a move back to where my heart is (I believe it to be).
Reading your post today has stirred a few emotions in me too and I think to myself maybe I am expecting to go back to the Africa that I left back ten years ago and maybe in some respects I will, but I also know that there is a lot that I shall have to accept quietly. And those are the things that I am afraid of.
However, it is all an exciting adventure that I am looking forward to...having grown up in Dar es Salaam I am looking forward to living in Nairobi and look at it as a challenge that I want to take on with an optimistic view.
Hi Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteSorry about the worry over Zuma. I (almost) rue the day that I began my obsession with local politics - I often think that blissful ignorance would be better.
and Priya,
I lived in Dar too for four years and absolutely loved it, though overall I think I enjoy Nairobi most as it has such a good buzz, fab cooler climate, lots going on, not so far to travel for safaris etc.
I grew up in as a little white kid in Africa (Liberia), and that experience of growing up in Africa was the best gift my parents could have given me. I hope that your daughters will feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteLoved the article!
Dont worry too much about the kids, growing up in africa will give them amazing stories to tell when they grow up.
ReplyDeleteI have a mzungu girlfriend who is always amazed when we meet with my friends and talk about what we used to get up to when we were kids and our "war Marks" , My friends has a metal replacement for an arm bone and collectively, 5 of us have 48 stiches.
I know this is hell for aparent but it was amazing fun as a kid and i wound not change my childhood for my girlfriends barbie house set.
By the way, Thank Jesus/Allah/Buddah you didnt get Boys. Africa & Boys = Depressed parent