It has been over a month since I packed my bags and moved to Saint Louis in order to pursue my education. AnyoneĀ who knows meĀ knows IĀ barely ever leave the house unless underĀ dire circumstances. So for a person like me, to move to another state in a different countryĀ is a very drastic change.
My newĀ home has a lot less furnitureĀ and a lot more books, more than half of which areĀ not mine and belong to my roommate. The house is much smaller andĀ much quieter without the constant vehicular noise and my motherās constant chatter. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional siren now replaceĀ those sounds. Blinds have taken the place of curtains. A twin bed is now in place of the queen bed that IĀ used to share with my sister back home. Drawers and closets haveĀ substitutedĀ the cupboards. My only means of transportation is the public transportation and my feet, of course. Gone are the days when IĀ had the luxury of getting dropped off via a private vehicle. My shoe collection has been reduced to a single number here, a drastic decrease in the number of choices of footwear.
I have never lived outside of my hometown and my native place for more than a week. It has beenĀ a long process of getting used to living in a new environment, far away from friends and family, but not too far thanks to technology.
What IĀ have realized so far about living here is that IĀ hate having toĀ remember whether or not IĀ have to pull the door to enter or push to enter. I love that there is a system, and IĀ hate the fact that IĀ can never remember said system. I also dislike the weather here, but IĀ have to deal with it. It’s too dry and the sun rays feelĀ like theyāre burning my skin. Secondly, the rainĀ isĀ not predictable. Let me rephrase that.Ā IĀ have not been able to predict the rainĀ yet. Two times now my ballet flats have gotten drenched due to the rainĀ and my lack of being able to predict it. I have realized that this place is a very God-loving community. It is really amazing to see the faith and be a part of a large community of believers.
In over a month of being in Saint Louis, IĀ have tried the gooey butter cake, Imoās Pizza, gone to the science center, gone apple picking, gone toĀ the Festival of Nations, gone toĀ the Balloon Glow festival, gone grocery shopping multiple times, along with going to class and juggling myĀ readings and homework assignments. In short, it has definitely been an eventful month with a lot of multitasking, canceling, and managing to attend events on and off campus.
I am living with the bare minimum requirements. Like Baloo in āThe Jungle Bookā *singing*
āLook for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature’s recipes
That brings the bare necessities of lifeā
It has definitely shown me that IĀ don’t require a lot of things. That all that IĀ need might just fit into two large suitcases, which are more than half my size. That, as Baloo and Gandhi said, you only need the bare necessities and nature provides you with them.
Moving to Saint Louis has made me get out of my comfort zone. I was so used to living with my family, with everyone IĀ know a maximum of an hours distance away. I most certainly recommend you to travel to a new city all alone, be it as a part of an exchange program, a study abroad program,Ā or as a part of your work. You will rediscover your likes and dislikesĀ while exploring and learning about a new place all at the same time.
So pack your bags, try and fit everything that you will need into a suitcase or two, and also be aware of the baggage limit. Create a list of things to do, and most importantly, have fun! You only live once, so make the best of it and start checking places off the travel list.
Ā