Recently, my parents (the ones from the United States) came to visit me. It was a wonderful week, a week in which I was able to reconnect with them and see more of the region of Colombia where I live.
Before my parents came, I thought that it would be easy for me to see them again. After all, there had been countless times when I had sat in room, feeling alone, and had wanted nothing more than to see them again. However, the reality was far more complicated. It was wonderful to see them again, but it was weird, too. I had changed a considerable amount since I had last seen them, and most of the ways in which I had changed were things that only I could see and understand, things that are deep within my heart, and that would be impossible to explain to anyone, including my parents.
At first, I felt like two universes were colliding. My mom and dad from home were meeting my mom and dad in Colombia. My parents were going to all the places that I see and drive past every day. I felt almost like a tourist here all over again. However, having my parents here also made me see a lot of where I live in a new light. Some of the things that they saw and appreciated were things that I had never noticed before, like how the children here still come outside to play every evening, and the neighborhoods are always full of life.
It was wonderful to show them all the things that I have come to hold dear. It made me realize just how much I'm going to miss this place. Seeing some of my parents' more American habits also made me realize how Colombian-ized I've become- just the little things, like ordering water vs. juice at meals, and the kind of jewelry we prefer, etc.
Towards the end of the trip, I began to feel normal around them again- I no longer felt that weird uncomfortableness that haunted me at the beginning. They felt like my real parents again, and the feeling of strangeness started to dissipate. And then, they left. The day that they left was hard for me, and I cried a lot. But then I went back to school and back to my daily life, and the feeling of sadness went away. After all, it won't be long before I see them again.
I think one of the most important things that I got out of my parent's visit was that I now have had a little taste of what it will be like to go home again- and it's not going to be easy. I realized just how much I have changed, and how attached to Colombia I've become. I also reconnected with my parents, which I think will make the transition back home easier. Even though I wish my date of return was still a distant concept, it's not anymore. It's less than three months away, and is quickly approaching. They say that exchange goes slowly, and then really fast, and it's true. These last months are flying by, and even though I don't want to confront the discomfort of my return, I know that I have to, eventually. I think seeing my parents again has helped prepare me for the road ahead. I'm so glad that I got to see them, and that they got to see Colombia. It was a great, bumpy experience, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
My parents and I about to go on a coffee tour at the Finca del Cafe:
