Being thankful – ten

This is part ten, and the final part, of our short series on some of the cultural/practical/emotional differences we’ve experienced between our two lives (in the UK and in Tanzania). We hope it has provided some interesting insights into the differences there are between our two lives and the richness, the joys and the challenges there are in moving between them. We also hope they have helped you to think of some of the things you can be thankful for, especially at this time of year. Tomorrow is a special day, something we should all be very thankful for.

Things we miss about Tanzania:
Our friends: sharing food, life and laughs. One thing that is especially difficult about moving from place to place is the fact that at some point you have to say goodbye to people you have grown to love. Of course, we all know there are people thousands of miles away living a life so completely different to ours. However, once you have been there, been a part of that life, loved those people, it is a very strange feeling to know they are still there while you are here. That life still goes on and it is still completely different to ours here and now. At the same time as that sadness, knowing you are not able to be there with them, this knowledge and experience provides such a rich element to life. We have experienced such joy with friends in Mbeya and grown close to them. We miss them lots but we know that friendship will continue in spite of time and distance.

Things we like about the UK:
Being close to family. Being back in the UK, although meaning we’re distant from some friends, means we can be close to family. It has been three years since we’ve had a Christmas with family and so we are especially looking forward to this one! It means a lot to us that our families visited us in Tanzania and therefore have both been able to experience many of the things we have written about in this short series. As a result as we look forward to this Christmas together, we can celebrate the great diversity this world has to offer, giving thanks for each other and the different experiences we can all share with each other. Happy Christmas!