Not that I'm complaining, but...

... did I really have to leave the warmth behind when I boarded my plane headed for Europe? At least it's still well above freezing here, although I don't think I am coming home to Ohio until someone fixes the arctic weather you all are having over there!

I'm grateful for the sunshine here at the moment, though, and am in general extremely, totally, really, really, excited to be here in Germany : ) I'm currently living in Bonn with a wonderful family that I spent a lot of time with while I was here studying last year, and it is wonderful to be able to visit with them again.

In just a few minutes I'm going to head out to go walk along the Rhine and then meet a friend for lunch in the city center. Yay for being back!

Somehow it's a little strange to not be in Africa anymore though. I mean... I stared at a faucet for a good minute or so debating whether or not it was possible that safe drinking water could come out of it in the airport in London. I stared at the dinner table last night at a complete loss because I had no idea which of the three meats, three cheeses, two butters, and six of seven spreads I should put on my bread. Such a huge selection of choices just doesn't exist in Africa, and I literally didn't know what to do with it all. And then the clothes that people wore in the airport and on the street - so bland! Where are all the bright mismatched patterns I've grown so accustomed to? And how come I can't use any of my Swahili phrases that I picked up?

Well anyway, those are just a few of the things going through my mind since I've landed.

And now before I head into the city, here are a few pictures from my last days in Africa : )

Three African ladies: me with 25 braids (told you it looked scary!), Hanna with three, and Marina with five



The family I stayed with in Nairobi... post-braids : )