I would often walk down the streets of Phnom Penh (when it wasn't as humid) to exercise. The smells, sounds, and sights were the things that big cities are made of: sidewalk restaurants open late, illuminated by a single light bulb; dust kicked up by the ox carts, pulling home goods for sale; exhaust and noise galore; and apartment homes stacked on top of each other. I got used to these big city things, although it used to be something I tried my hardest to stay away from. The sounds became music to my ears as I tried to sleep at night, and when we vacationed to quieter places, it felt foreign to me.
One week ago, we finally moved out of my Mom's home, which has been graciously housing us this past 3 months. We moved to a big city. We moved into an apartment. These two things are things I never wanted. Ever. Although I protested it in the past, I have LOVED these two factors in my life this past week! Tonight I took a long walk down a busy road in our busy city, and where the noises would have bothered me before, tonight they comforted me. As I walked under freeway over-pases, past buzzing cars, and through busy supermarket parking lots, I felt at home. The busy-ness of the past year in Asia, the crowded nature of living in the country's capital, all of this hit me in the forehead tonight, but here in California! It is interesting how you can come full circle after only a year of being in a place. Pictures to come of our new place as soon as we finish unpacking!
