I’m writing this on a plane over the eastern end of the Central African Republic. I left Bangui this morning at the end of my three month posting, crossed west over to Douala, and then caught this plane which is heading back over CAR at 39,000 ft to Addis. Then it’s on to Dubai.

I’m looking forward to getting back home, though tinged with the sadness that it’s only for a month or so, and a month filled with wrapping up my life and work in the UAE. Sadly that’s been the story of Dubai – somewhere where life has been good, but always only just starting, or on the long road to finishing. I sincerely hope my next post will have more of a sense of permanence, at least for a few years, and the ease of changing jobs when I decide to, not when I need to.

This plane ride is also a chance to reflect on this posting. It’s something I volunteered for and which I knew would give me valuable and interesting new experiences. It has done both those things, but trying to think about things neutrally I realise it seems pretty crazy to be paying incredibly high rates for a luxury apartment in Dubai, while slumming it in Bangui. Why do I do such things? Part of it is force of circumstance – the need to gain all the advantages possible in the transition to the next step. But it’s also about getting new experiences – another three months in Dubai would have been forgettable. Now in five years’ time when someone asks me what I did between May and August 2014, I’ll have a keen recollection of what happened.

I’m sure I’ll write more about leaving Dubai in future posts. I actually feel slightly bitter about it – though that’s probably influenced by nostalgia as I return there now. And of course compared to Bangui – life is so full of ease, luxuries, and freedoms.

The experience in Bangui was ideal though, and shouldn’t be unfairly tinged by a very stressful end. I’m sure looking back, I’ll see it as just what the doctor ordered – three months testing the water in communications. Taking my baby steps, and making mistakes there before I make them where I’ll be permanently based. It’s also confirmed in my mind that this is a good next step. Yes, on one side I’ll admit to being attracted by the financial benefits and the stability. But there are two other key things as well. Firstly, this work gets you a free (or rather well salaried ticket) to live and work in some of the most interesting places in the world. Secondly, I have had a feeling for a while that I had some skills that are not being used in journalism and that I’d like to develop and profit from. Key among these is team work and leadership – working on projects, motivating staff, doing things as a group, strategizing and building for the long-term.

At the same time, I hope I can find the time to work on other personal goals, linked to my journalistic life; improving my multimedia (particularly video and photo) skills, and working on my long-form writing (fiction and non-fiction).