F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions)

While we were home in America there were some questions we were asked quite a few times. Since there seemed to be common questions, I thought this may be stuff the rest of you were wondering too and hadn't asked. So, I am going to answer them here for your reading pleasure.

Q: what do you miss most? what is the hardest thing about living overseas?

S: Relationships are the hardest thing and what I miss most. I don't like the distance between me and those I love. Making new friends isn't easy on the other side of the world - there are language difficulties, cultural differences, we are all consumed by work because that is our reason for being here, and this life is transient. People come, people go. So, going deep is difficult as most people you meet are counting down until they return "home." Sometimes it doesn't seem worth all the effort to try and overcome the distance and time difference with old friends, or the energy it takes to keep making and saying good-bye to new friends. I wrote a little about this in an earlier post, but I expect it will be an ongoing challenge.

K: Safety is the hardest thing about living overseas and what I miss most about America. We are constantly concerned for our safety. We often don't go out after dark. We make sure we know where the other one is at all times. We have the number of the US Embassy programmed in our phone just in case, because you never know what can happen.

Q: What is African food like?

S: Well, there really isn't one "African" cuisine. Each country has it's own unique flavors. In Mozambique, they eat a lot of seafood because it is readily available being on the coast. A lot of beans and rice. The beef is usually imported from South Africa and is of good quality. Pizza is available. We mostly eat at home and cook. Fast or convenient food isn't readily available. The only "chain" restaurant available that an American would recognize is KFC. The chicken is different than in the US, but they do have an excellent ice cream sundae. I know because Kenyon ordered one once and I ate it all...I couldn't help myself. Why? because it is a rarety to find decent dessert. Even if cake is available, it isn't sweet like an American would expect it to be. We eat a lot more fresh vegetables, no processed foods, and a whole lot less sugar...essentially, we eat healthier in Africa than we did living in the US.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of FAQ's. Feel free to ask any question you are wondering. As I think of (or receive) them I will post more Q & A.

Sheri