I have missed this place.
Jul. 25th, 2006 08:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
x_cableNot Asadabad specifically. Or even Eastern Afghanistan in general - it's not the nicest part of the country by a long shot. I'd so much rather be in the north - Balkh or Jowzjan. (That may be because I prefer friendly Uzbeks to hyper-aggressive Taliban-loving Pashtuns. I may possibly be prejudiced.)
But I've missed this part of the world. I think back and I've spent a lot of time in one 'Stan or another, with Mistra or with the Pack. I know the cultures. I've got a solid handle on the languages - or at least, anything related to Russian or Farsi. I know its history. I've climbed entirely too many of its mountains.
I don't feel comfortable right here and now in Asadabad, but I suspect that's a function of the broken arm and the broken powers. But I do feel right here.
I'm not really American, whatever the legal passport I finally have says. I've spent most of my life outside the country, and I don't remember growing up in Alaska. Even when I was going to university in New Mexico twenty years ago between Mistra missions and pretending to fit in, I didn't feel like a part of the culture around me, not really. Mistra's fault, I suppose. They trained me to be someone who could move between cultures easily and pass for a native where my appearance permitted. I was very good at it. In a lot of places.
But over here was the first part of the world where I didn't feel like I was just playing a role. Funny how that sort of realization sneaks up on you.
But I've missed this part of the world. I think back and I've spent a lot of time in one 'Stan or another, with Mistra or with the Pack. I know the cultures. I've got a solid handle on the languages - or at least, anything related to Russian or Farsi. I know its history. I've climbed entirely too many of its mountains.
I don't feel comfortable right here and now in Asadabad, but I suspect that's a function of the broken arm and the broken powers. But I do feel right here.
I'm not really American, whatever the legal passport I finally have says. I've spent most of my life outside the country, and I don't remember growing up in Alaska. Even when I was going to university in New Mexico twenty years ago between Mistra missions and pretending to fit in, I didn't feel like a part of the culture around me, not really. Mistra's fault, I suppose. They trained me to be someone who could move between cultures easily and pass for a native where my appearance permitted. I was very good at it. In a lot of places.
But over here was the first part of the world where I didn't feel like I was just playing a role. Funny how that sort of realization sneaks up on you.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-26 02:34 am (UTC)2006-07-25 10:13 pm (UTC)
My passport says American too, Nathan, but sometimes I do not feel truly at ease until the I smell the dry dust of the plains and feel the heat of the African sun on my face. We adjust to living where we must, but it does not change what feels right.
I am glad you have the chance to be in a place like that now - savor it.