NOw, in venice, my trip is getting more intense. Being away from my new home, on route to my old one is crazy, but luckly my family - in england, here in venice and Sammy - arae keeping me grounded and making my transiting - my strange trip - easy and good and happy. SO I thinak them. AS I SIT LOOKING OUT AT A BIG CANAL, some cool old buildings that have stood almost as long as some of the strong African Traditions that i learned about, but in a more materially way have a ripeness unpressedented in toronto or any where in NOrth america, I feel happy because my cousins are arond, my family is interested, in my loessons and I in theirs - as they also live a new life here - and my mind is at peace.

My back is getting tense again, the pace of the places in the "west' -though i am east of Ada FOah - is hurting me. The lack of genuine friendlyness to strangeers is shocking my possitive soul and my back is taking the pains and neddles of the stresses of these fast paste places. My mind is left to deal, and its doing well with what comes my way as I move around this world.

THe sounds and smells have left me - I even had a warm shower - and my African understandingsof life that I begun to grasp at make no sense herre in this world, but neither did my understandings make head of tail of Africa when I arrived. I think thats how we grow; I think thats why we go: to learn and live as our ideas and understandings change with time - change with what we do. So, I go on, to soon come 'home' again i hope. but my rethurn home post haste from now is going to make it a compleate trip. THe good times, the bad times and most importaintly al,l the times, understood as one, tghat has changed my life, made my self stronger.

So I pray: I was given the oppertunity of life, the people I've met and the things i've expience have made me, and as I understand more and more of who myself is, I am happy for my friends and expiences. So I thank You, Jah, and I hope that you can guide me home to Zion after many mopre trip[s to many more homes. Jah guide and protect. Amen.

After a long journey I am lost in this big city. I think back to yesterday morning, in Ada, waking to talk out behind the house, and even the evening in Tema, the send off with clements at the airport. THe smells and sounds still ring in me as I am shaking on the street, having forgotten how to even stop a taxi. THe cold air at 10 or 15 degrees adds to my shaking but it is the difference that really gets to me. I seem lost, or something. I know whare I am going, but my head is not in it.
After a hot shower - teh first for months - I feel clean, but I can't help thinking back to my town, my people. With the school year done and a new season begining I am excited, but what have I left, what will I come back to. What have I done. Where am I going?
Venice, is my next short endevour, I am going to see the family there. THen back home. YOu see. I'm just not quite right. I have more to say, far more, but it will have to wait.
PEACE
ALEX