Let the games begin

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Quite ironically I mentioned to my friend that you couldn’t pay me to visit India. This was before I came to know that Gordon and I might be moving there. India and China were probably the last place on earth I wanted to go. Neither of them held any appeal whatsoever. I would much rather have immigrated to a first world country, where it is clean and orderly, where you are able communicate with the locals and it is easier to integrate into the local culture.

Gordon caught his flight from South Africa to Chicago, and we both knew that the next few days would be critical in determining the next 3 years of our lives. It was a lot of pressure, and it didn’t help his nerves that the airline lost his bag. A quick call from Gordon on Monday morning and the future was revealed. We were moving to India and China. Excitement, trepidation and sadness all flooded through my mind. With the 7 hour time difference between Chicago and SA, it was difficult to communicate with Gordon and tell him how I was feeling.

Over the next week I went through a seesaw of emotions. I was really sad one day because of the thought of leaving those I Iove. The next I was so excited about the adventures we would have. I was scared the next because of the huge change it would require. I was worried and anxious over the decisions that would have to be made.

Stories of India and China scared me, but there were little comforts too. We are able to get English TV; broadband is widely available so I could communicate with family and friends; I wouldn’t have to go too long without seeing a movie in a cinema; and we would be able to retreat to order on the golf course, followed by some civilised tea drinking with fellow expats.

Through it all though, I had the constant support and love of those close to me. They didn’t think of themselves and how it would affect them. Rather they thought about how good this would be for me and how much I would see and experience. Gordon is a constant source of optimism and reassurance and I know that wherever we go, we will be together and this experience will bring us closer together.

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Comments

[Heather]

...trepidation
This is such a good idea Kelly, I look forward with anticipation, to sharing albeit from afar, your travels and reflective account on your observations of the day to day life in these far away lands. With best wishes x