Sylvia's Journal

I am sitting in my bed with a pillow as desk and the computer on that pillow; much like I have done since July 21st minus the last two weeks. It is very early in the morning.

My dreams were many and mysterious. I was doing exercises with my foot on a raised platform on a square with lots of people looking on. At some other point I gave directions to someone to a hotel in Kathmandu. The directions were so precise, with street name (Khatra or Khadra street)l, that I could check with my Nepali friends whether it really exists. I also dreamed about being with people who push boundaries and who innovate and in some context or other used the terms innovation and denovation. I think in my dream state I invented a new word. I suppose innovation and denovation are opposites. Maybe coming back to one’s own house, hearth and loved ones is denovation, as in: going back too what was before.

It is wonderful to be home again. This is the best part of traveling after all: coming home. This homecoming was a bit different from all my previous homecomings. I used to be full of energy, no matter how far I had traveled, bring my suitcase in, unpack it, distribute gifts and goodies, have tea, dinner and whatnot, take a shower, put the laundry in the washing machine, clean off my desk, and have everything ready for a new workday. I would go to bed at a normal US time and everything looked as if I had never been away.

Not this time. My suitcase is still sitting on the floor, unopened. The Dutch cheese did not even make it into the refrigerator. I was completely exhausted and went straight to bed for an uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep. That woke me up at 3 AM.

I am stiff beyond belief. Once more I wonder when and if I will ever be limber again. I am curious what my physical therapist will say about my foot; it doesn’t feel like there was any progress and possibly even regress. My neck and shoulders are sore and my range of motion feels limited. I was allowed to travel business class but even there it was a challenge to keep my leg up and get comfortable. I don’t think I slept more than one hour on all the flights combined.

Nevertheless it was wonderful to be out in the field again and do the work I love so much doing. It was worth it and I’d do it again if the opportunity would present itself. But not right away. I think I am going to take it easy for a little bit.