Coming home

After roughly four months, it's time to leave Africa and return to Europe. To be honest, I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends, but I'm doing so well here in Kenya that it's difficult to leave. 

I'm giving myself the best present possible, and I'm inviting my sister, boyfriend, and three international friends to join in. Nobody in Austria knows anything about it. After a long flight from Nairobi to Frankfurt with little sleep, I arrived in Germany drained and exhausted. I quickly observe on the display boards that several planes have been canceled, and I sincerely hope that my flight to Innsbruck is still on. However, it has not yet appeared on the display board, so I stretch my legs while waiting. A quick peek at my emails on my cell phone does not bode well. At two o'clock in the morning, during my first trip, I received an email informing me that my flight to Innsbruck had been canceled.

I left the transportation area and went to the check-in counters. My absolute luck, it was seven a.m., I had a very solicitous employee, and to my amazement, I remained completely calm when he informed me that I was on the waiting list and could only fly home in the late afternoon. So, on December 1st, I spent the entire day waiting at the airport. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I just wanted to go home, whether to Kenya or Austria. Furthermore, I couldn't talk about it with anyone save my sister and boyfriend, who were both attempting to cheer me up. The flight was also delayed. 😉. When boarding was complete, we were told, "Mrs. Walpoth, we wish you a good flight!" The destination was getting closer.

At 7 p.m., my sister picked me up from Innsbruck's airport, and I was pleased. We'd been on Austrian roads for less than ten minutes when two automobiles collided forcefully right in front of us. I hastily exited the car, but noticed everything was alright and there were already enough people there. I turned to my sister and said: "There's no way, I've driven through KENYA completely accident-free, I've been back in my home country for less than ten minutes and we're already witnessing an accident!" Shouldn't road traffic be better regulated here? 

The next two days were filled with a variety of feelings. The surprises continued, and most people had not expected me to visit Austria. I'm glad I made this step since it allowed me to reunite with so many of you. I had so many fascinating chats and swiftly returned home to Tyrol.

I adore winter, and on December 2nd, it snowed in its full grandeur. I couldn't be happier! I unpacked my skis twice and hit the slopes. I participated in our 20-year tradition of Advent windows in Aldrans and witnessed one of the most beautiful times of the year in all its splendor. It was the first time that the Advent season did what it is supposed to accomplish. I spent contemplative, joyous, and magnificent days in my homeland.  

However, arriving was not as simple. I had minor cultural shocks and discovered something new and ancient every day. I completely rediscovered my native nation and realized things I had previously taken for granted. The most noticeable cultural shock was the frantic pace that persisted. It struck me by surprise at Frankfurt Airport. I discovered again that things function differently here. Other examples include waste sorting and timetabled bus routes 😉

I thoroughly liked my time back home and am appreciative for everything I was fortunate to experience. I had new experiences with people near to my heart and did things I'd never done before in my life. As much as I cherished my stay at home, I and everyone else knew that I would soon be returning to my second home, Kenya. This time, however, everyone knew I was doing well and content with the life I was currently leading. Because it's incredible to be able to call two such gorgeous places on this planet home, and while saying goodbye in both nations is sad every time, I wouldn't want to exchange!