Life Goes On

I am light years away from my life in Cyprus at the moment. I am in South Carolina, visiting with my daughter and family--her husband; three-week old baby boy, Walker; 17-month old son, Foster; and two dogs, Cotton and Shelby. Our days consist of feeding children, changing diapers, playing on the swing set or in the pool, going to the grocery, or taking long walks in the afternoon. Ideally, it is a great break from routine, a vacation of sorts. I have my own suite away from the bustle of the house--complete with computer, tv, reading spot, and bed. It's quiet here. Too quiet. No Cyprus traffic, no sms, no phone calls, no meetings, no travels, no friends, no escapes for coffee or white wine in the afternoon. However, I really can't complain, because I am with family--and I am loved.

But, I do not feel like "me" here. That "me" wants to be at an airport, somewhere in Europe, headed to a destination not yet specified. London? Vietnam, perhaps? Rwanda again? Or maybe back to Paros for a week or two, or maybe to see the full moon rise once again over the Mediterranean in Cyprus.

My adverturous self scanned the internet yesterday, looking for teaching positions across the globe. What caught my eye was an ad for World Teach and its need for volunteers to go to Kigali, Rwanda, for nine months, to teach secondary school English. "Could I do that?" I wondered. I immediately came up with three strong negatives: 1) I am probably too old, 2) There is no money to pay for such an experience (volunteers must come up with a $6000 fee and also pay extra living expenses, beyond the $200 a month stipend), and 3) I am a little afraid of getting malaria again--that was not a good experience! Still, I sent an email inquiry. Who knows?