Pan Out.

While I was off hiking mountains, getting lost on the garden route, and staring down (okay, more like squeaking and trembling in fear of) wild elephants, Philadelphia had the good grace to remain wonderfully unchanged and familiar. I came home to find my favorite noodle bowl at the restaurant down the street, my favorite sofa at the library settled in the same corner, and my favorite people set up in cozy apartments and ready to take on chocolate cake recipes and late night movies. I won’t pretend that I’m not loving every minute of it. After all, it’s good to be home, and as much fun as adventuring in South Africa was, I missed it here.

Con Te Partiro

Dear Durban,

Well, it’s been fun. Thanks for 5 months of near-perpetual perfect weather, greasy Steers fries, 30 rand wine and movie nights. Sure, we had our disagreements here and there – I know I can be too uptight, and you’re the kind of place that asks for a lot of adaptability, but I think we came to a pretty decent balance most of the time. Thanks for the cool people you introduced me to- I’m just as sad to leave them as I am to leave you, truth be told, and even for dragging me hiking that one time in the Drakensburg. (Note: I’m never doing that again.)

I know our time together was short – feels like it’s been a matter of weeks sometimes – and if I could make it longer, I would. But we both knew I’d have to go back to Philadelphia eventually, Durban. It’s about that time now.

I still maintain that there’s no such thing as too many photographs, so when Philadelphia gets too chilly or rainy, I know I’ll be rifling through pictures of you and me and remembering the good times– the beaches, the marketplaces, the weeklong jaunts to Cape Town and Mozambique. You’ve given me a lot, Durbs, and I’ll always remember our time together as absolutely fantastic. Do me a favour and take care of the next new girl you meet, alright?

Love,

Az.