Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been home for a few days now. Thanks for giving me time before demanding more updates! Since I’ve been home I’ve spent my time eating food that I like and staring in dismay at the piles of souvenirs I’ve sent home. I shipped at least eight packages along the way and gave away almost all of my clothes before leaving Africa so I could fit more souvenirs in my checked baggage.
After phase one I came home to the same friends and family. This time things are different. No less than three friends have been engaged and one has gotten engaged and married while I was away—another friend had a baby.
For those of you no longer interested in my trip please feel free to take yourselves off my mailing list. You can do that automatically by entering your address on the subscription page. You can also contact me directly if you need help. Those of you who still want to read my updates, hang in there. I intend on updating all of the content—stories from Africa, Tajikistan and maybe even Tibet, the gallery and all of the
information on the details page.
After my computer gave up on me I didn’t feel comfortable connecting any of my electronics to public computers for fear of viruses. That precaution meant that not only have none of you see my recent photos… neither have I! After downloading my memory cards to my hard drive I did not access my photos at all. I’m just as curious as you to see if any of my gorilla photos turned out.
At the moment I’m contemplating if I should go ahead and update here and there as I wish or if I should take your interests into account. If any of you have a strong opinion I’d love to hear it. For instance, would you prefer I put up the new galleries first or concentrate on blog posts? When I write my stories would you rather hear the very old ones first (for instance, Tajikistan), the newer ones starting in Ethiopia or the new ones starting in London and working my way back in time? Without any direction I will probably just update what I find the most interesting first and then fill in the blanks later.
Other than the gallery and posts, what are you most interested in seeing updated first… finances, maps, souvenirs, sketchbooks? You can vote in the poll on the right hand side of this page if you like. Almost everyone I have met recently wants to know how much this trip cost me and the answer is I just don’t know. Without my computer I will have to go back all the way to March to compile all of the data. At the moment I’m still trying to figure out where I packed my hairdryer so any more coherent reflections will have to wait.
13 responses to “Safely Home”
I’m mostly looking forward to your photos, but also want to read your stories! 🙂
Greetings Megan – glad to hear you are home – what an exciting adventure for you – I am green with envy – hope you compile everything into a book – I would love to purchase a copy when it is published – hope to meet you one day soon – till then – Best Regards – Dennis
Welcome back! I really want to see photos of your souvenirs! But I also think you should write about what you find most interesting first. I think those make the best posts.
Is that a Portillo’s hot dog? Dang I miss them!
That’s one vote for photos and one for souvenirs…
Han, it’s not Portillos, it’s from a place called Zippy’s, it’s closer to my house. I got cheese fries too! My brother bought it for me so I’m not complaining. A Chicago dog, steamed with everything except onions and peppers. It was the meal I’ve was dreaming of when I was sitting at 4,500 meters in Tajikistan eating cabbage soup. In Nairobi there was a place called “Chicago Pizza.” I checked it out and informed them it was not Chicago pizza. They didn’t really understand. So, what does D.C. have for food?
Welcome back! Here’s my two cents…
I’m most interested in the Africa stuff but it’s for purely selfish reasons. I’m trying to figure out how much time I should estimate for Africa. But, I agree with the other comments that you should write/do what’s most interesting to you.
Another thing I’m interested in is now that you’re home what’s next for you??
Ah Zippy’s! Home of the cheezy beef!! I miss that too! There is a lot of good seafood out here in DC. I especially like the crabs. You can’t get fried cheese curds out here though 🙁
Did you get my email last week?
We want to know how you’re adjusting and hear more about life in Illinois. We’ve been home almost four weeks after a mere 11 months on the road and are finding it almost impossible to settle back into our old lives. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you after your even longer journey.
Maybe we should both start planning our next phases… I hear Antarctica is lovely this time of year!
Well, it’s good to hear that you are enjoying the foods that you’ve been craving all along! As far as what to post first, it’s your trip, whatever you want, surprise us. We were just nosey people stringing along for the reading ride, it’s too bad it’s over : ) But I can’t wait for your next journey, well, i hope there’s a next! I bet you’ll get itchy feet and will want to flee the US in a heart beat!
PS—you actually took a blow dryer on your trip?
Pura Vida.
-CC
Welcome Home Megan!
You are one intrepid traveler and I’m happy to hear you made it back in one piece, as you traveled a long hard but wonderful road. Props to your mom for not having a nervous breakdown too!
I guess I really want to hear about your readjustment to the States, I’ll never forget at marveling at the height of the buildings in Chicago after returning home from the European circut. I’m sure that being amazaed at the insane variety of foods available is only the beginning.
I also want to see a photo of the guy with carrots (I’m certain it was for carrot cake).
Matthew
Stacy,
If you have any Africa-specific questions to ask shoot me an email. Personally, I think it’s generally overpriced for tourists.
What’s next? Getting a job. I’m living with my mom and working on a few freelance design jobs at the moment while putting together something new for my portfolio.
Sixers,
It must be more difficult for you with a family. I want to write something insightful about all this but I haven’t been struck with a revelation yet. It’s hard to put everything into words. Frankly, I’m still excited whenever I walk into a bathroom and I see free toilet paper! If you guys go to Antarctica I’m coming with.
Claudia,
No hairdryer… I was looking for the one I packed up at home. I didn’t blow dry my hair while I was traveling besides when I got it cut in India and when I borrowed a tiny one in Tibet from someone because it was too cold to go out with wet hair.
Matt,
I didn’t photograph carrot man. people in Africa were very put off by photography, besides Ethiopians.
I guess I haven’t readjusted yet. Everything has increased in price and I don’t really enjoy shopping anymore. I went downtown this weekend for the first time since returning and caught a glimpse of the Sears Tower from the expressway. Everything seems really clean in the city, compared to how I remember it.
Despite loving my clothes and shoes I’m still wearing the same shoes I wore for the last 14 months. It’s almost too much choice so I just wear the same thing.
When you come back in a few months we’ll have to have a coffee and talk travel.
Hey, Megan! I was just cleaning up my Favorites and ran across your website… and took a few minutes to catch up with your travels. How exciting! My daughter is starting her senior year in Chicago, so now that you’re back, we’re going to have to get together for lunch or dinner when I’m over that way. Maybe catch up with Anne and Michael, as well. I talk with them occasionally, but not as often as I should.
Take care. Let’s catch up soon. Would you believe I’m STILL doing Dow’s A/R?!!
Patsy
Hi,
I follwed the last leg of your travels. Can’t tell you how it inspired me to do the same next year! :}
Patsy,
I can’t believe it’s been so long. Last I remember your daughter was just moving to the big city! Let me know when you’re in town. And, yes, I can believe you’re still doing the A/R… you were always very good at it and one of the few financial-based clients who had an understanding of design.
Sandy,
I hope I inspired you! Let me know when you need help planning your trip.