It's now been many days since I left Shanzu...

It's been many new images, many other smells, many different faces..

I can no longer recall all the words to the songs the kids used to sing to us, I can no longer picture the path we walked every morning that would lead us to the children's warmest welcome..

Now, when I shut my eyes, I see the paved street outside.. my nephew's smile.. people hurrying places.. big new buildings and cars... more people hurrying places....

I mentally go through the emails on my blackberry and plan the places I myself will be hurrying to tomorrow...

I am too busy, too stressed, too westerned.... too comfortable once again.........

I am too far away.........

Half a year ago I was part of what now arrives in the form of some required pictures taken thousands of miles away.. A few months ago, I too felt the heat, the dust, the sadness and joys of life at Shanzu..

Today I can't take those 5 extra minutes to talk to Zawadi about why Christopher was so strict with her, or lose track of time playing with Suleman..

Now they're pictures without me....

I miss you marafiki.....