Culture shock

I can’t describe in words how good it feels to only be 10 minutes away from home. Even though I’m still not free, at least there’s no razor wire fences, no guard towers, no truck driving around the compound all day and night, no more prison blues (clothes), no more saying “Braden 131948” before I go to sleep every night, etc. I could go on forever.

Even though I’m allowed to go out by myself and look for a job, I’m still worried. What if I see someone I know? What would I say if they saw me? It’s going to be hard to do the right thing. Hopefully I won’t have to deal with that for a little while. I just want to be able to get used to living a normal life before I have to deal with old friends.

As of now, though, I’m so grateful to be here. It’s kinda weird because hardly anything has changed, yet at the same time, everything is different. I can’t explain it.

Well all I need to do now is find a job.

Photo: Famous painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch.