
“The Return"….
A brisk walk through the estates showed not much had changed except for new malls, a few tarred roads and of course more porch cars and buildings. The same old dusty roads, same people and quiet as before except my world view has changed a little. A brisk walk down the neighbourhood only to see some good old folks; well, I’m home indeed…
Medical school was quite the experience. Two steps out of the plane and I was given a gentle reminder that I was in Africa. Still being unused to the heat, I cringed and let out a groan,”damn! I’m back"…
I took a solemn walk down the airstair with my backpack and grey woolen jacket as the left satchel of my backpack hanged loosely. My first foot touched the soil and I thought to myself,”my feet have touched the land of my birth", I still remained sober and unamused in light of the scorching suns radiance.
I finally proceeded to the immigration counter and then I met a grumpy immigration officer demanding excess details be written on a form.. Being already tired and peeved by the heat of the scorching sun, I wasn’t ready for an altercation between myself and an officer. Finally, a nicer officer attended to me. I picked up my luggage and safely I got home after meeting my Dad.
I wake up the next morning and I’m thinking to myself,”I’m home and completely indifferent about my stay at home”..

It’s a sunday. Everyone from far and near, known and unknown want to know me. Everyone seems excited and I have no clue what the excitement is about. I am lost in my thoughts all throughout the service because everything has changed. Meeting new people and old faces who have either aged or not aged at all. “Some must have obviously been dipping into the fountain of youthfulness”, I thought.
Life at home seemed pale in comparison to the fast life in medical school especially on my circadian rhythm; I’m either up too early or too late. Winter has undone me in such a way that I have heat intolerance. Even my taste buds have been undone.
So it turns out, the word acclimatization has summed up the dilemma of the return. Even the money makes you look quite like a dummy when you miscalculate before people. Like freshmen in college, you become conspicuous enough to be laughed at — the welcome address indeed!
A moment in time, I left home to discover and build myself and I returned a young man. A solitary path of self consciousness, understanding perspectives of people from all walks of life and consequently shaping my worldview hence making me totally balanced and more mature as a young man in his formative years..
The future looks bright and I’m hitting the ground running as a young doctor who aspires to not only be just a doctor but to live out my full potential. If you’ve got a dream, stick to it and reach for the stars. It’s always possible and see you at the top…
