Tears of a Sojourner

I expected the delays and the waiting. I expected the rules and the water refills after security. I expected the sore muscles from carrying my whole life across the world on my back. But what I didn’t expect was the tears. When the plane took off and Taiwan faded into the distance along with my two new beloved countries, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I cried silently, with a sweet older Indian gentleman sitting by me. “How is it over?” I thought to myself. “How has it been three months?” Oh to know those answers. 

It was like a kind of happy grief. I was sad for a happy reason. I just spent three life-changing months in two brand new countries. I met people that I will forever hold close to my heart. I tried foods that I fell in love with (boba) and tried things I never could have imagined I would. 

I scrolled through my pictures as the flight attendants began to walk through the aisles asking whether we wanted pork or chicken, and I replayed memories in my head. I scrolled all the way to the first day when I left my house in Greenville. As I looked myself in the eyes I could see a little fear with a lot of hope. I then compared that picture to one of me in India and another of me in Thailand, and you can physically see a glow appear as you scroll further. 

The Magic of Solo Travel

There's something magical that traveling alone does to you. When I'm at Wofford, I always have a friend to go with. I have a list of names I could message to go grab a coffee or workout with in the morning. I rarely walk to class without seeing someone I know, and I always come back to a dorm full of roommates who are ready to chat. But when I landed on the other side of the world, that was all gone. It was just me and Indie against the world - literally. I had to intentionally choose everyday to try and make connections with new people. I had to ask questions, tell stories, and be willing to learn. And I had to start over a lot. The reality is, even when you are living with people in a program, most don't stay as long as I was. So this meant I had to retell my story every two weeks and build trust with new people over and over. Although it gets exhausting, it helps you grow and blossom. 

How to Sojourn 

When you learn to let go of your safety rope whether that be a best friend, your reels when you're walking to class, or headphones to make you look busy, you learn to sojourn. 

Sojourn (verb) – to stay or dwell temporarily in a place

You learn to dwell in the place that you are. To take in the surroundings, and to soak them up. You learn to be intentional about how you walk, talk, and introduce yourself. You learn to give more freely and to laugh more robustly. When you learn to be alone, you learn to make anywhere your home. And well, homesickness is real. 

So as I cried on that airplane, I cried happy tears but also ones of homesickness. Homesickness for the place that my family is, and for the two places that became home this summer. What a joy it is though. I hope you will sojourn to the point of homesickness. For homesickness is the truest proof that the world has become a part of you. 

I can't wait to tell you about my first week in the DR and how I have become a sojourner here. It truly is my new home.

Keeping shining light into our world. 

Sending hugs to all of you!

Margeaux