Given the Blue Bombers' strong start to the 2011 season, and the rather dismal start of the Roughriders (sorry Bobby), it saddens me that I won't be able to watch the home and home series affectionately known as the Labour Day Classic and the Banjo Bowl this year. But the phrase "home and home" gives me more food for thought than just a couple of football games as I arrive back "home" in Tanzania. During my visit back "home" to Canada, I had an interesting conversation with a dear family friend who expressed how fortunate she feels to be happy when she's at home on Lake Winnipeg, happy when they are in Texas for the winter, and happy when she visits her childhood home in North Dakota. I love my prairie home, and I love my new home even though there is so much contrast between the two. And so, I was oh so sad to leave Canada, but also oh so happy to be back in Tanzania. As I go, I must trade some of my favourite things for some of my other favourite things. I trade Kian's expressive vocabulary for Theo's expressive faces; Winnipeg's majestic elms for Arusha's beautiful Jacarandas; my 2008 Corolla for my 1995 Rav4 (bad trade!); late lingering dusk for quick stunning sunsets; the dogs of Maple Grove for the elephants of Tarangire; Stella Artois at Luxalune for Tusker at TGT; strawberries, blueberries and peaches for passion fruit, avocados and mangoes; football for rugby (tough one); an unimpeded view of the seemingly endless prairie for the shadow of Mount Meru; morning coffee on porch swing at mom and dad's for afternoon coffee on the veranda at the Kinseys'; my cozy little house for my big open breezy house; home for home.
