Despite the driver's attempts to avoid the unforgiving terrain, the bus bounced and lurched with each impact as if to protest the injustices and instability in the country. The road was riddled with deep potholes and each crater seemed to yawn wider than the last, threatening to swallow the Greyhound bus whole. (Submitted by Charleen Sibanda)Īs I switch to another website hoping to find a better flight deal, my mind turns to that September day when I left home. Sibanda, right, with her mother on a visit in 2021 to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It's like paying a steep fare for a journey to a better life, where the costs come not only in dollars but also in the intangible tolls I pay along the way. It means I've celebrated holidays and special occasions apart from loved ones watching as my mama aged alone from a distance and only allowing myself to break down in private after long workdays.
It's the heart-wrenching choice of sending money home for funeral costs instead of being there in person - a decision made from practicality and necessity rather than desire. Even though I was searching six months earlier, a December round-trip flight costs just over $4,000.Īs an immigrant, I've learned to bear personal struggles in silence, often concealed beneath the veneer of success that's associated with the diaspora and the gratitude for the opportunities that brought me here. The cost of air tickets to Zimbabwe, and in general, have gone up significantly in the past two years, making it challenging to plan a visit home, especially during peak holiday seasons. Although the greener pastures that I enjoyed when I first moved to Canada are not as arid as Zimbabwe's economy, lately they've been losing their vibrancy. (Submitted by Charleen Sibanda)Īs I search airline websites, I'm appalled by prices. And now, as costs rise, it feels as though the universe is taunting me for daring to live a life that spans continents.Ĭharleen Sibanda moved to Calgary from Zimbabwe in 2009. The weight of preserving connections with two far-flung homes extends beyond mere financial strain, encompassing a cost that only those who straddle multiple worlds can truly comprehend. Instead, I found myself facing a rainbow of greens, some vibrant hues, and some faded tones, each with its own set of challenges and costs.Īlthough I've grown to love Vancouver and appreciate the life I've built here, my heart remains tethered to Zimbabwe. However, soon after arriving in Canada, I realized the "greener pastures" that had beckoned to me were not as idyllic as I had imagined. Mama even pulled an embroidered handkerchief from her bosom to dry my tears. I remember Mama's heartfelt prayer for my safe travels, our parting words, and the long embrace. 25, 2009, driven by aspirations that echoed the timeless adage: the grass is always greener on the other side, and most of that day remains vividly etched into my memory. However, while these beauties are content to flourish where they are planted, I'm constantly torn between two worlds. Spring has sprung, and the cherry blossoms sway in the gentle breeze, unburdened by the weight of longing for their native home. Īmidst the relentless buzz of Vancouver, I am perched by the window of a cosy coffee shop, scouring the internet for affordable flights to Zimbabwe - a destination that holds a special place in my heart. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. This First Person column is the experience of Charleen Sibanda, a Zimbabwean-born lawyer who lives in Vancouver.
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