It is crazy to think that my study abroad program in East Africa has culminated today. This morning I woke up to a room full of packed suitcases. When I headed to breakfast everyone was sitting at the tables chatting in a somber manner. With only minutes left as a group everyone was feeling nostalgic and wishing the trip was not quite over. After breakfast ended the students heading to Nairobi on the morning bus brought their bags to the reception area of the hotel and we all said our goodbyes. We hugged and professed how much we are going to miss one another even though we all know we will be seeing each other in a month. It is crazy to think that I will not wake up next to the same people I have been spending all my time with tomorrow. My emotions are mixed; i am sad about the trip ending, but am beyond excited about returning home and seeing my friends and family.
These last few weeks my head has been filled with these mixed emotions. There have been times when i have been so exhausted of wearing the same three outfits, continuously being dirty, and having flies EVERYWHERE! But I have always been able to check myself and appreciate every moment of my time here. It is weird having a chapter such as this one end because I know I will never experience anything quite like it again. I may return to East Africa one day, but my trip will never be like this one. I will never make so many close life-long friends in such a short time. I feel blessed to have met so many amazing people this trip, both my fellow students and the Africans we interacted with.
My worldview has changed greatly and I honestly feel like a more educated and well-rounded human being because of this trip. There have been many tough times, but looking back all the hardships and bumps in the road seem so insignificant. What really matters is that i experienced these bumps and was able to overcome them and therefore grow.
Lastly I would like to thank all of you readers for tuning into my blog. It has been great reading your comments these past few months. Your comments have gotten me through these hard days because even though i am so far from all of you, i have still felt connected.
Although this trip is ending, I know the memories I have had here the stories will last me a lifetime. What I have experienced here in East Africa will always be apart of who i am and I feel blessed to have had these experiences.
Thank you all for your love and support, see you December 11th!!!!!!
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2 comments:
What an incredible story and a great adventure! Lewis and Clark would be very proud. I am so happy you are coming home, but a little sad that I won't be able to read about your continuing journey and look at your magnificent pictures. I guess you could start a mollysemesterinportland blog and do a close anthropological study about the life of a college girl — what she hunts/eats (vegan chicken), how she cooks (microwave or dorm food), her native dress (polyester track suits), the wild animals and characters she encounters in her smoke-filled natural habitat...there's a doctoral dissertation there awaiting you.
Seriously though, we are all looking forward to seeing you so have a very safe trip. Sending you many hugs and kisses from me and Jonah and Maemi.
MOL! omg, your experiences have sounded so amazing. I would love to get lunch with you when you get back and compare our experiences and how we've grown because of them. i love you girl and cant wait to see you!!!
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