Now I've talked about being an introvert before, I definitely am one. However I have realised recently I actually need people time too.
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| "Look at that ray's see-through head!" |
After I came back from my Christmas break most of my good friends were just leaving for their breaks and would not be back for at least six weeks. I saw the future panning out in a series of very quiet days and even quieter weekends. The thought was not daunting, I don't mind my own company and I thought it would be a good chance to get alot of reading done. Basically this is how it went and it was fine. Kabul was suffering from a lack of electricity so we were only getting two hours a day, but I could even deal with that.
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| "Wow those pillars are amazing" |
Then things changed. Two of my friends returned and we had a guest come to visit our organisation. Suddenly there were people around, and not only people but people who were interested in talking to me, hearing my thoughts on things, listening to my story. Because we wanted our visitor to get a taste for all that Kabul had to offer suddenly my social life was out of control! For three weeks I visited places I had not been before, I was staying up late and chatting, I was having fun! It was an unexpected blessing.
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| "I wonder who has to clean that?!" |
At the end of that time I went on holiday to Dubai to join a cruise. I went round UAE and Oman, and again at the time of booking it was not daunting. But as I wandered the malls of Dubai and the mosques of Muscat and Abu Dhabi I found myself talking out loud, and pointing things out to people who weren't there. The thought crossed my mind that I was going slightly mad (and you are probably thinking I have) but then I realised it was OK, I just had to learn how to be by myself again.
I think sometimes people equate being alone with being lonely. I have to admit there have been some times when living here when I have felt very lonely. I am the only single woman my age in my team and sometimes that's hard. However, I have seen God provide friends when I have needed them and the blessing of late night chats when I haven't expected them, and most of all I know He is there through it all.
I've included some pics of the things I was pointing out to my unseen companions!
