Looking around the town, not much seems to be changing. During my first year at university, I learned an economic concept in my microeconomics course that discussed the nexus between price, demand, and supply. To apply the theory, we used the assumption of “all things remaining constant” (meaning no external factors affecting demand and supply) to measure how a change in price has an impact on demand and supply. That same concept aptly applies to Buuloburte. It seems that things remain constant—or, in some cases, are deteriorating—with no external factors changing the status quo. I have occasionally traveled to Buuloburte since early 2021, and nothing seems to improve. Many shops on the main road remain closed, and economic opportunities are scarce.

Despite these realities, this is home. It is where I feel a sense of belonging. I visited and spent time with family members, relatives, neighbors, and friends. I asked my mother about the neighbors and visited them. I met with my brothers and sisters, visited key places, and reconnected with old friends.

Almost everywhere I went reminded me of good old times. Whenever I passed the location where my Al Imra Institute of Languages was once located, I recalled the days I was a student there, attending lessons inside the classroom and practicing English outside. One afternoon, I asked my friend, Liban Dirie, to accompany me and take a picture of me in front of the Al Imra Institute of Languages’ door. Before he took the photo, I asked him when he was born. He said 1997. I told him that I started studying English here, at this same door, in 1998. I greeted three gentlemen sitting nearby; they all knew my father personally!