23rd October 2006

Back from my trip home and surprising I’m not down at all. I had been expecting my homesickness to redouble after seeing the old sod and the home. The one with big windows, clean lines and a light modern feel…. Not the case at all, in fact if anything I have come back with greater resolve to get the job done. Even considering the possibility of extending the contract, which would have been completely unthinkable a few short weeks ago.

Its amazing how little things change in an environment so familiar. Friends look the same, the house looked a bit tired and dusty but I completely lost the sense that I had been away for 8 months. It bodes well for when we return permanently that the experience abroad will not have changed us to the point where we feel outsiders. That is possibly one of the factors which allowed me to return to Jamaica with added vim.

10 days off work meant 8 days at home after traveling. This was not nearly long enough as thankfully friends and family all made a real effort to see us, though was all I could squeeze out of the company. There were many nights out and I’m sorry to say we didn’t get to see everyone, some of whom had made huge efforts to see us. Next return visit will be planned a little better to make sure this doesn’t happen again, and to allow for a little down time for the constant partying and jet lag!