I Got You Babe
I am always on the lookout for full-circle moments, and in a city the size of Skopje, there is no shortage of them. These are usually everyday-type moments, like remembering how nervous I was to rent a car here for the first time while chatting with the rental company employees the final time I rented one a few weeks ago. A special full-circle moment happened this past weekend; my second week in Macedonia, my then-new group of local friends invited me to a food festival with them at Komedija. Since then, we’ve gone to various small events there like VinoSkop, a wine festival. Last weekend was the summer food festival at Komedija, and I went with many of the same friends I went with the very first time (plus I saw some students and fellow gym-goers). I took a moment to think about just how much had changed since the first time I was there – I definitely felt more confident in language skills and navigating the cultural context, and closer to this specific friend group. The support I received from friends, colleagues, and community members here has only grown, and it’s meant everything to me! It will be bittersweet to move in September, but the good news is I’m still close enough to visit once or twice…
Another group I will miss dearly is the church ladies! We got together for brunch in one of their homes a few weeks ago, and Srishti and I went, along with probably 15 other women. Over waffles, eggs, and coffee, we talked about our time in Macedonia, the places we’ve called home, and what it means to be part of God’s family. They’re easy to talk to but unafraid to go deep, which is hard to find in one group.
I volunteer with the American Councils often, and this week I was part of facilitating the K-L YES Abroad Re-Entry Conference for the Macedonian high school kids who just returned from their exchange year in America. My friend Mihaela and I led a session on Creative Thinking, because they will need to do a post-exchange project soon. I loved talking with each of them about their host cities and families, foods they liked and didn’t, and what they love about Macedonia. Most of them credit their new-found independence and outspoken tendencies from their time in the States, but they are happy to be home.
Julia and I are going to Amsterdam this weekend, which will be her new home next year, so we’ll both still be in Europe. Then next Friday, I am coming back to the US for a month-long visit – let the packing ensue! Benchi, my taxi driver friend, will drive me to the airport for both trips, and in the wee hours of the morning at that… he loves American 00’s pop music (specifically Christina Aguilera) and usually performs a song or two while driving, so it’s really a bargain to pay $20 for a ride and a concert….
(Song Credit: Sonny and Cher)
