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I have now been back in the USA for one week. From Tuesday through Saturday, I was at North Litchfield with my family and good friends. It was a nice transition period as I was able to relax on the beach and share stories with those around me.

However I think it will take me a while to fully adjust back to life in the "Land of Plenty." While at the beach, I went to CVS to have pictures from the whitewater rafting trip developed. While there, I went to get shampoo and conditioner. This process took a long time as I was floored by the aisle of options. I mean, is there really a true difference between types of shampoo? Or it is just the bottle and good marketing? I think it ended up taking about 15 minutes for me to get over the fact that there were so many choices and finally choose one.

Driving back to Columbia was interesting as well. I kept expecting to have to slow down for potholes and dirt roads, and I kept asking myself, "Where are the Africans walking along side the road?" While I can't say that I necessarily miss the potholes, I do miss the fact that you had to slow down and experience things a little more closely. I think there is something to that "African Time."

I hope that as I adjust back to life here, I will never forget where I was this summer. I hope that I will continue to recognize the difference between need and want and remember that what truly matters in this world does not come in a package and is not available only in the USA. I want to remember that what is truly important is making sure that others are okay and taken care of. And love is really the most important...