24 Hours!

Thats how long until I am no longer a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am sorry it has been so long since I've written, and if there are still of you reading, I do apologize. There has been so much happening that it has been hard to put into words. Last month I said goodbye to my village, my co-workers and my adopted family; I cried when my friends started crying and when it finally sunk in that this was my last trip out. I went back to Manantali, to see the hippos one last time and to celebrate America's birthday with 40 other very crazy, very wonderful volunteers. I said more goodbyes to my fellow teammates in the Kayes region, people who I might never have given a second thought to in the States but have become my best friends here, despite the differences, both physical and tempermental. I traveled to Segou and Mopti, two places I wanted to see more of and the volunteers who live there (if people are interested, I will put pictures up). I skipped Djenne and Timbuktu, because although they are probably the best things to see in Mali they are also a nightmare to get to. And I came back to Bamako, to start the closing process of what has been two crazy years here. I have all my paperwork signed and my bags are packed. Most of my goodbyes have been said, and there are only a few more people left to see. I dwell on saying goodbye to people here; I know you may say, you'll see them again in the US, whats the big deal? And its true, I will. But it won't ever be the same, because we'll have one less thing to bring us together, and the intensity of this experience will be the one thing we have to share. I have gone through so much here, both by myself and with others, that it would be impossible to recreate those same emotions and stories again. So although we are not losing friends here, we are losing something. But, I am not all sad, because I'm mostly excited for the future and what it holds. I'm excited to go home, to see people, to start a new life. And I want to say thank you to everyone who followed my adventures so closely here and encouraged me along the way. Its been a difficult journey but I'm glad you were all along on the ride.