The bright side

There aren't a whole lot of positives to being in Houghton rather than still in Costa Rica. But one of them would be that I'm noticeably darker skinned than everyone around me and that basically never happens.

Comparing apples and applesauce

I write this from San Jose, Costa Rica where I'm spending a few days. I don't know what it is that I love so much about being in such completely different contexts than my own. I almost...crave it. Also, on my way to my villa from the airport I noticed my mind fluttering between thoughts of my present location and Uganda. While Costa Rica and the "Pearl of Africa" could not be more different, certain things triggered me to see the similarities. Things like chaotic city streets (though much milder here in San Jose), smells that I can't even pin down but are etched in my brain, random shops on top of each other, etc.

Perhaps it's partially my fierce desires to go back to Uganda. Perhaps it's that fact that is driving me to create my own Uganda wherever I am. Don't get me wrong, I love Costa Rica and not once have I wished that this were Uganda instead. But I feel compelled, if only for a day, to go back to that place that I'm finding more and more each day was the most formative place in my development.

On a similar but different note, I am fearing and at the same time hoping that my wanderlust will never fade. I'm not even sure why I so strongly want to see as much of the world as I can. I mean, I have reasons, but why is it such an intense feeling? It's not a horrible feeling at all. I rather like it.

To end, Costa Rica is lovely as it always is. It's like an old, dear friend. A friend who's voice is soothing and whose personality comforts. It's easy being here. And sometimes, you just need that.