And now for something completely different.....

(by Karin)

Sixteen months of travelling. Sixteen months without hearth and home. Sixteen months without family, friends and colleagues, just the two of us. Both of us have never been out of the Netherlands this long, even though we returned there for one month. Sometimes it feels shorter, sometimes a lot longer, but it still isn't enough.

We've never indulged in reminiscences as often as we do now. Recollections of the unequalled hospitality of the Turkish, Syrian, Egyptian and Sudanese people. The impertinence of the Ethiopians. The beautiful landscapes of Turkey, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda filled with all kinds of animals we only knew from the zoo. Recollections of travellers we met, with whom we shared experiences. Recollections of life in the Netherlands. Of the ease with which it is possible to hold meaningful conversations on a daily basis about experiences, events and feelings. In the Netherlands we often felt like we kept our distance to other people, by hindsight we have to conclude that we didn't. In the Netherlands you're automatically in contact with people, all during the day: at work, in shops, with neighbours, family and friends. That is the part I miss most from the life we left behind. Most of the native people we meet on the way do not speak a language we are able to speak (fluently), have a very low or totally different intelligence, or just want money in most cases. The times we are able to hold a good conversation with somebody are sporadically and a relief.

Therefor the internet is a fantastic medium, as far as I am concerned. Every time we arrive in a place with an internet cafe I'd rather go there first to check our e-mail. even before washing and changing clothes. Most of the time I am very happy with the messages people send to us, about their work, health, garden, holiday, the weather, family, dreams. This way we stay part of their life, the distance between here in Farawaytown and the Netherlands seems so small then.

I really have a hard time dealing with the fact that a number of people I was in close contact with in the Netherlands never bother to stay in touch with us. From the books we read by the hand of other travellers we understand that it is 'normal' that friendships die when one of the friends moves. I refuse to accept this just like that, so I ask neighbours, friends, acquaintances and colleagues to send us an e-mail once in a while to tell us how you are doing. Hopefully it's clear now how important this is to us. We always answer your e-mail, although it might take some time when there are no computers in the vicinity.