I live in a beautiful place. It is not quite as remote as I had thought and for this I am thankful. Keeping in touch with family and friends is important to me, and though sometimes it is nice to be cut off from the world, I am actually quite glad I am not totally cut off from the internet.

My Morning View

The first few days when I move somewhere new is always a whirlwind of activities and emotions. Especially when I know I am here for a while. That knowledge stirs up different feelings to those when you know you can just leave tomorrow if you want to.

However, I love it. Everything is new and my senses are overloaded with all the unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells. It takes time to settle but I am already finding myself creating new habits for my new life.

The cockerels outside my window wake me up. Every day for breakfast I eat sticky coconut rice wrapped in banana leaves with an instant “3in1” coffee. I cycle the 3km or so down the hill to school on my beat-up, old, red bicycle and then back again afterwards.

I go for a run when I get back and it’s no longer too hot outside. And then usually I take the kids I live with to the park for a bit.

It has surprised me just how easy it is to slot into a new way of life.