I'm not one to get sentimental around New Year's or set ambitious New Year's resolutions, but after the year I've had, namely regarding my recent frustrating immigration hiccups, I cannot help but feel a little introspective and pensive about the fascinating life I lead.
My whole life seems to revolve around travel. I don't think I travel like most people do, however. While many take vacations to escape their hometowns, I take vacations to fly home. And what's weird is that my home has been in different countries throughout the years. Sometimes I would fly home to Kigali, the city where I was born, which remains the city I'm most passionate about. Other times, I'd fly home to Cotonou, Port-au-Prince, Abuja, and so on. Currently, when I fly home it's to the DMV area (Washington metropolitan area).
I suppose everyone's definition of travel is different. Or perhaps my definition is different because I don't tend to simply visit but to live in other countries. Sure, there are many countries that I've just visited and not lived in. But overall, I've lived as an expatriate for as long as I can remember.
Destination Highlights (2019 - 2024)
When you get to live in various countries for a very long time, you learn how to quickly analyze a new city or country to understand the culture, economy, standard of life, security concerns, social structures, history, and political landscape.
You also develop your unique way of exploring a new city or country to connect with the local culture and way of life. One of my favorite ways is through the arts & culture scene, business community, and the political scene.
Here I'll mention a few simple and positive highlights from the past 5 years:
Kenya
Capital City: Nairobi
Languages: Swahili, English
Currency: Shilling
Major industries: Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing, Telecommunications
My favorite Arts & Culture sector: Events
My Favorite local food: Nyamachoma, Bajias
My Favorite local drink: Tusker Beer
USA
Capital City: Washington DC
Languages: English
Currency: US Dollar
Major industries: Finance, Technology, Oil & Gas, Retail, Media, Pharmaceuticals
My favorite Arts & Culture sector: Media
My Favorite local food: Southern BBQ, Burgers
My Favorite local drink: Root Beer
Nigeria
Capital City: Abuja
Languages: Pidgin, English
Currency: Naira
Major industries: Agriculture, Entertainment, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Fintech
My favorite Arts & Culture sector: Literature
My Favorite local food: Jollof Rice, Fufu or Garri
My Favorite local drink: Zobo (Hibiscus drink)
Rwanda
Capital City: Kigali
Languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French
Currency: Rwandan Francs
Major industries: Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, Mining
My favorite Arts & Culture sector: Fashion
My Favorite local food: Brochettes, Igitoki
My Favorite local drink: Ikivuguto (Buttermilk)
Canada
Capital City: Ottawa
Languages: English, French
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Major industries: Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Finance
My favorite Arts & Culture sector: Theater
My Favorite local food: Tourtière, Poutine
My Favorite local drink: Ceasar Cocktail
All this traveling, all this constant movement... It sometimes makes me wonder whether my life will add up... My 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year plans say it will, but then again, things don't normally turn out exactly how we had envisioned them. So, I guess we'll see...
All I can say is that I have enjoyed and learned from every single moment in these past years. I have visited and lived in beautiful countries, met truly wonderful people, worked with great organizations, listened to transformative speeches, and witnessed incredible creativity and humanity. I have loved deeply, studied life, laughed, cried, danced, and felt really alive. I'm forever grateful.
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