New is good
on Colm in Kenya (Kenya), 03/Apr/2009 07:54, 34 days ago
There is a‘café’ inMnaranicalledStarbarks(they actually wearStarbuckst-shirts but that is where any comparisons firmly end). It’s a well worn eatery just at the entrance to the village containing a few tattered tables and chairs, TV on in the corner, the standard amount of flies and a lino that looks like it waslayed25 years ago. However, it is under new management and has a deserved reputation for decent food.On Wednesday evening after work I went there for dinner -MarahagweandChapati(Brown Beans and pancakes made with flour no eggs). I sat in the middle of the restaurant of about 10 tables. There were two or three other customers slumped into their seats– none eating or drinking but vaguely interested in the music station playing on TV.From where I sat eating my plate of beans, I had an unobstructed view out the open door. On the dusty street the evening played outin frontof me with actors made up predominantly of local villagersreturninghome on foot, on push or motor bikes and the passing rattle of several cars,matatusortuktuks. Comfortably sharing this stage were the aimless meandering ofMnarani’s goat and chicken population.A lot of‘new’ and ‘change’ sums up the last four weeks. Not so long ago I was enjoying a coffee and muffin in the well manicuredStarbucksof Dawson Street in an incrediblyswankycosmopolitanDublin (everything is relative!). No plate of beans on the menu and not a goat in sight.I’m not quite sure I have properly digested all the new words, newculturalnorms, new work environment, new living conditions, new neighbourhood… I’m not sure I have digested all the New. My internalprocesserhas a growing‘to do list’ of items to filter through. Maybe this delay in consuming all that New is why, despite all the changes, I have settled in comfortably after one content heavy month.This may well be different when the New evolves into the Norm. Time will tell. But one thing is for sure, I’venot had a month previously that has contained so much New. At the moment however, I am enjoying the change. AsSineadLohanput itIsn'tthis always what I wanted,Isn'tit just what I always wanted,This in only what I want,Everythingaround me to be changingThis week, my thoughts and wishes are with Matty and Jill. This week, tomorrow, the next day and everyday until you are both well again.