Re-entry – Getting Back To 'normal'

[Eve]

Does everyone have 're-entry' issues? Or is it just me?

I didn't even want to get back on the plane to come home. Kokoda was always going to be more of an emotional trial for me, rather than physical, and it was/is more so than I expected. I'm just still feeling a little dis-associated from things and really had to make an effort to go to my city job. On the other hand, I'm really excited to see my training clients again.

Is that normal?

Eve

[Fluppy]

Hi Eve,

I can't really comment on this given I haven't gone yet, but here is a post I wrote on another forum for Asperger's Syndrome:

21 Aug 2009, 12:53

Hi all,

As many of you know, I will be trekking Kokoda in a little under 9 weeks. Mr Fluppy (husband) is worried about the culture shock with me. I, however, feel the opposite. Papua New Guinea has (environmentally) everything a person with autism could want – minimal people, middle of nowhere, lots of sticks & leaves to line up and in short, a simple life.

What I am worried about is not the culture shock going over there, but rather the culture shock coming back into Australia. Culture shock also including the emotional rollercoaster I will feel. I have been told it is likened to top athletes once the Olympics are over – you get this incredible high, full of emotion, you do what you have to do, you start coming down from the experience and it's like, 'Well, now what?'

With it's fast-pace rat-race, technology, shopping centres, day-day life & activities, I am wondering how I will cope with the onslaught of sensory bombardment and more-so the emotional side of things once back into the country I call home.

Anyone have any ideas? Comments? Advice?

flups

So, it is still a concern of mine as well. Eve, I think you will find that a lot of people feel the way you do and once been there, having had such an unforgettable experience, it would only be natural to go through what you are going through/feeling now. I guess you have to sit it out and ride the waves my friend. Hmmm. I'm not very good at taking my own advice, so we shall see if 'riding the waves' works once I'm back

[Eve]

Hmmm…thanks. Interesting. I also have a medical condition that could have made Kokoda very hard, so my battle was overcoming my own body, but mostly my mind. Maybe that's part why I feel the way I do…

[Boss Meri]

Hi, this is very common not just women but with men also. Often ex trekkers have sent me an email saying they are finding it hard adjusting to being back home. More often then not, these are the trekkers who keep returning!

[Eve]

Well, that's reassuring. Thanks, Gail.

And, yes, I'm already trying to figure out how and when I can get back there!

[Brian]

This is one of the reasons that I am hoping to return next year I made good freinds there that I miss them along with Kokoda and Saga Village very much.

This time I will take our 8 year old grandson as I want him to experience Kokoda and feel it will leave an impression with him later in life.

Before anyone tells me I should not take such a young fellow to trek Kokoda in our case we are flying in and out of Kokoda with just a short easier 4 day trek whilst there.

If anyone reading this would perhaps like to join us do contact me although numbers are limited as a big group would spoil it for everyone.

Brian

[Author]

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