The Alien in Los Angeles
An alien. That’s what I felt like walking down the streets of LA. Someone who did not belong. Who was faking it. An imposter hidden behind sunglasses. Could everyone see right though? I felt heavy and dizzy surrounded by shining towers and noise. People pass quickly to my left and to my right constantly overtaking me. Have my own short, rapid steps and pace really relaxed that much? But there wasn’t time to analyze or break it down. I was there for business. Representing my organization and work here in Malawi. A kazembe of sorts. But the business tended to knock me over too. The conversations that lacked thorough introductions and greetings and went straight to the point. My brain couldn’t keep up. In the first minute of the meeting we were already discussing viral load testing uptake challenges. As I made it through the week towards the weekend, I kept a short list of all that struck me. That which use to be so normal that now surprised my soul. After all this time, can ...