Parallel Universe

I have very mixed feelings about returning to Indo. I really miss all of my friends, the community, and the school, but I do feel a bit of angst about being back there.

Before this holiday in Canada I spent 4 days in LK getting my apartment somewhat organized and visiting a few friends. I had forgotten how different things were there compared to a 'developed' country.

It almost feels like a parallel universe. The rest of the world operates one way, and Indo goes completely the opposite direction. Other places seem to have some order to them, Indo seems to have no order. I've often said something as simple as going to the mall can be an adventure, and usually takes time and patience. Finding 'small money' for a motorcycle taxi or a bus, finding said taxi or a bus, indicating where you want to go, retaining nerves of steel while driver negotiates heavy and chaotic traffic, the language, the culture, the pollution, the density... all of this before you even get to the shopping mall (which is a story in itself).

I know my views are completely ethnocentric. The majority of countries are developing (as Indo is) and probably have similar problems with corruption, pollution, and economy. I know that Indo is probably even miles ahead of many developing countries. Do I really have anything to complain about?

I miss the comforts of Canada and Australia. Driving long distances with the radio on, walking to the market to pick up a few simple items, clean air, straightforward services in a familiar language. Campfires. Night skies with stars. Clean water.

I think my goal in these next few years will be to make Indo more of a home for myself, to find and personalize the comforts it has. I want to learn the language. I want to master Indo driving. I want to get more massages.