Back to Scotland ... with a bump....

No, nobody came back pregnant, not that sort of bump! This is more about how the 4 of us are feeling now we are back to our daily lives in Scotland.

Each of us has found it very hard. I found it much harder this year than last year. We feel listless, low and are generally struggling to reconcile the 2 realities we have encountered during July. Coming back to this affluent world that we love and enjoy sits ill at ease with the world of Hle Bee where so little means so much, is made to go so far and is so appreciated.

I was interested to read Ewen Hardie's blog today. (http://www.barefeetforburma.blogspot.com/) Ewen has just walked barefoot from The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh to 10 Downing Street, London to raise awareness of the plight of the Burmese people. Having made this incredible journey, he describes feeling confused, sad, something missing and a little alone. Such similar feelings to us.

I'm not telling you this to look for pity or condolences. We have all (like Ewen) enjoyed one of the most amazingly rich experiences life can give, being welcomed into the lives of others with moving generousity and we are all very grateful for it and wouldn't change it for the world.

I guess it's just an important part of the story to share. As one of my teachers said, "It's about attachment. That's why it's more hard to leave this year." It's true. It's also about a very personal experience of the injustice and inequalities of our world. It's about frustration that we can spend so little time together....

And that is just the way it is....

This video clip below shows just how happy and relaxed we are at Hle Bee. It's a birthday party for the extended family of one of the teacher's daughter.