Update 19:

I’ve been meaning to write this for a couple of weeks. So here goes…

If you can remember Update 11: you’ll know what I am talking about. If you don’t remember, the tabs on the left will help you do so; in short that update talks about the sadness that accompanies leaving a place. So this update is about as polar opposite as I can get.

Leaving Sudan was an interesting experience. Either my experience at leaving locations and people has built up to a point where sadness is no longer an emotion that I feel, or perhaps I have become so callous that my heart is immune to the toils that leaving takes on your soul, or something else.

The worst part of leaving Sudan was that on boarding the flight I felt nothing but elation, relief, pure happiness. I feel quite rotten about saying/thinking/feeling this. It is an absolutely crushing feeling to be so happy to be leaving that place behind.

It sounds appalling, I grant you that. But it pales in comparison to most of what I have written (but not posted) during my time there. I will start by saying that Sudan was a completely unforgettable and wholly worthwhile experience, one that will be cherished for the rest of my life. I want to end by saying that I will not willingly or without serious contemplation ever return.

I am not/do not feel free to explain all of the things that made it such a difficult challenge. I also have not yet decompressed, evaluated, analyzed, absorbed or fully appreciated this period, so to say more than what I have already said is a bit presumptuous. I’ll try and get back to you on this.

On the new notes: I am back in Vancouver. I spent a week in North Germany with a friend that used to work with me in North Van. It was great to hang out with him. To chill out, literally, it was a bit of a shock to the system going from 40 deg to -6 deg, but still lots of fun. I got to meet his family and friends, went to clubs and bars, ate well, saw the North Sea, landmarks and monuments, etc.

I bought a new car a few days ago, well not new, but a car, actually nice little BMW. Without the help of my Uncle Ron this really wouldn’t have been possible, it is absolutely wonderful to have family to spend time with and an added bonus that he’s a great mechanic and has his own shop where I/we can work on the car.

There is no snow, so I haven’t been skiing. I am hoping that will change in the next little bit. I have no real plans though. I don’t really want to be traveling or working abroad for a bit of time. I need to decompress, recuperate, recover and most of all rest.