on my way home...

I am going to be on my way home to America soon. My flight leaves early Saturday morning and since getting to Bucharest is a days bus or train ride I will start my traveling tomorrow to spend two days in Bucharest hanging out with friends before I leave Romania. I think only if you had the experience before, its hard to know whats its like to say goodbye to good friends, alike to family, that you know you may never see again. I hope that one day I will come back, but it does not seem possible, at least in the near future.

Despite the regrets of farewells, I feel, more than last year when I was leaving, ready to be home. Ready to be in my own culture and to be around in my friends and family. Also ready to start my studies this fall at Eastern University. Traveling around the world can give you a very disjointed feeling of community, and I am happy at the prospect of being in one place for more than 6 months.

My last weeks in Romania were good ones. Viata ended very well for me. I will miss the mountains, the leaders and the kids so much. My last night in Viata included a dance party and being giving a present of a three-kilo (approx. 7 lbs) :0) On Saturday a group of leaders went caving in a nearby town. A little scary, but lots of fun! That night, there was a little surprise going away cookout for me. Yesterday I went to visit a friend and old roommate. The trip was thwarted somewhat by me becoming ill on the train ride to visit her (I threw up in a supermarket bathroom 20 minutes after arriving in her town), but I am soo very glad to see her and her 8 month old son again before I left. Today is filled with tying up loose ends, packing and goodbyes.

Thank you again, for all your encouragement and support.

Much Love,
Katie