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As I write this, it’s exactly four weeks since I was waiting for a cab to take me to the airport for the first leg of my trip to Kurdistan. (It’s not a complicated journey. Newcastle to Heathrow, night at the Hilton, get up at stupid o’clock, fly to Vienna then on to Erbil. About 7 and a half hours in the air, about 24 hours altogether. In knitting terms: a sock. In reading terms: a book, though not a fat one.) It’s been quite an almost-month. The work in Kurdistan was rewarding, not to say compelling, and the place itself ate up a little bit more of my heart. The friends I made last time turned out to be friends indeed, sharing time and hospitality and tips about how to get along. I made new bonds with my colleagues (I didn’t go alone this time) and I learned to pace myself, be gentle with myself, and forgive myself and others for not being 100%on top of our games 100% of the time. I learned to shower swiftly in case the hot water (or even the water) ran out. I got better at communicating where English is limited, and I bought a CD to help me learn Kurdish so I can make more of an effort next time. A Syrian musician made me cry, an old lady made me humble, a woman I’d never met made the food that I love and made me feel welcome when I was so very far away from home. (And I had my dress made. But that is getting a post all of its own.) I missed my family. I’ve never been away from Alan for two weeks; it was wonderful to be reunited wh...
Source: Bah! to cancer - Category: Cancer Authors: Tags: Life is Good Musings Travels Source Type: blogs