Back in the USA!

After nearly seven months in Africa, my return flight to the U.S. touched down at San Francisco International Airport on April 22. Following a little over a week reconnecting with relatives in the San Francisco Bay Area, I then drove my stuffed Audi TT (everything brought back from Zambia, plus what was left behind on my way out of the U,S. to make a one-bag luggage limit, plus mail retrieved that had been forwarded to a friend in Ventura County) a good 1,000 kilometers back home to San Diego. Hot showers in the morning, a functioning toilet, rapid and dependable internet access, along with other creature comforts and conveniences - not to mention quality time with  family and reuniting with friends - it's nice to be home during spring in coastal California!

Touching down at SFO

At the same time,  there's the urban hustle and bustle that contrasts with the generally relaxed and friendly pace experienced at Petauke, and curiosity over how friends and coworkers there are faring. If living in Petauke (albeit following a transitional week of training in Lusaka) entailed "culture shock", coming back to Downtown living in a city of over a million population also involves some adjustment.

Speaking of the trip back, the flight to San Francisco took a great circle route from Europe, passing over Greenland and some spectacular ice-bound scenery.

What's that white stuff?

Even the Best Laid Plans...

As most of the readers of this blog probably know, I encountered some challenges that ultimately resulted in leaving Petauke for health reasons during the latter part of March, and spending time in Lusaka and then Johannesburg, South Africa before returning to the U.S. on April 22. In the quest to make "lemonade from lemons," I'll reflect on what occurred in the hope that others might benefit from this experience, and also add a few postings dealing with other topics of potential interest not already addressed.