Time off, Time out, Time to think

Jul 22

I have been away from my family for one month. In the broader global context, this is nothing. Plenty of families are separated. Already, this blog is one of privilege.

I miss my family. I really do. The random moments of silly intermixed among important conversations with the kids is what makes family life so rich. I’m also relishing simply talking with my teens. An audio call is a different kind of conversation. It even has a different name, to be distinguished for saving band width across the globe. Formerly known as phone calls, these chats with young adults are to be savored, like creme brulee. Break though the surface and rich connections await. I lean in for flavorsome details. Hearing the kiddos articulate colorfully over their summer adventures tells me they are maturing in both in vocabulary and life experience while still remaining downright goofy aw, (if that’s how you spell it).

I chose to come here. A sabbatical. A retreat. An opportunity to conduct doctoral research in person. A stunning place to visit. A place unknown to many. All of that made it all the more compelling to come here. A remote tropical island? A post - Covid opportunity to chronical research in a stunningly beautiful place far, far away. Yeah, it was pretty easy to make the decision to come here, to Africa, to an island in the Mozambique Channel.

Nosy Be, “large island,” is off the northwest corner of the ‘big land’ of Madagascar. It IS as beautiful as it is poor. It is as tropical as it is infested with plastic waste. I’m calling it rugged beauty.

Here’s what I’ve learned in the last month since living on my own in a hotel as a resident teacher/researcher on Nosy Be.

The quiet can be quite loud.

Waking up to a sunrise is an incredible way start the day.

Vanilla is a parasite vine plant.

Chameleons shake to look like the leaves and branches they steadfastly stand upon.

Zebu meat is tough.

The internet is spotty in 3rd world countries.

Here’s what I wonder.

What on earth did we do before the internet?

How can remote education become student-centered? Back to work….