I think I might hv mentioned in a previous comment that I grew up in Saudi Arabia in the 60s and 70s. You perfectly capture the absurdities of Western expectations vs Global South realities of the time (even though you were in Africa 20 yrs later). Even now, when development has evened out some of the biggest differences*, the key to loving an expat life in the ME and Africa is a keen sense of the absurd and a willingness to roll with it. And the ability to respect the home culture.
(* highly subjective and fundamentally uneven, dare I say unfair)
I love your writing, Holly, and I'm so fascinated by your life as a kid in Africa. (Also if the heat doesn't let up, "menopausal buffalo" is going to describe me.)
Oh Holly, I love this, thank you!
I think I might hv mentioned in a previous comment that I grew up in Saudi Arabia in the 60s and 70s. You perfectly capture the absurdities of Western expectations vs Global South realities of the time (even though you were in Africa 20 yrs later). Even now, when development has evened out some of the biggest differences*, the key to loving an expat life in the ME and Africa is a keen sense of the absurd and a willingness to roll with it. And the ability to respect the home culture.
(* highly subjective and fundamentally uneven, dare I say unfair)
Wow, that Cape buffalo even *looks* like a jerk.
They all do, Bob. They are all jerks.
Amazing! Your writing almost always has me laughing.
But now I have to ask…was Kenyan toilet paper Star brand? If so, typing paper might have been a huge improvement 😆
Hmm the name is not coming to me but pretty sure it wasn’t that. It was green... and kind of like packing paper...
I chortled a few times but then the freight train had me in tears 😂
LOVE your writing! You vividly capture your missionary life with a keen eye and brilliant sense of humor. Thank you.
Thank you!
I love your writing, Holly, and I'm so fascinated by your life as a kid in Africa. (Also if the heat doesn't let up, "menopausal buffalo" is going to describe me.)
Mercy yes. God help us.