Feeling a little melancholy...
As my time here in Kewsua comes to an end, I realize how much I'm going to miss everyone here. Trying not to get wrapped up in that though, and just be grateful for the time that I've had here. These past 6 weeks have been just incredible. I'm sure it will sound trite, but it's hard for me to not think of this stay as life-changing. You can be sure that this is yet another place about which you will hear countless stories...
The picture is one of the goodbye notes given to me by the 6th grade girls. They had their graduation ceremony on Tuesday and then each dropped by to give me these sweet little letters and pictures. Today Joi came to the house and helped Stacia translate them all for me. I started to tear up a little at their sentiments "You are a person with a good heart." "Please remember me." I don't think I could forget.
Melancholy aside, I'm also looking forward to the next steps in this journey. On Monday morning I'll catch songtaew back to Chiang Mai where I'll take care of some errands including picking up new pages for my passport at the US consulate (I only have one blank page left!), trying to ship a few things home (not sure I want to cart those slingshots around for the rest of my trip), and buying new books (I think I've read 9 while I've been up here). On Wednesday, I'll head down to the beach (via Bangkok where I'll start the ball rolling on my visa for India), and then back to Bangkok for a few days before flying to India on April 1st.
India holds a lot of intrigue for me. It's the first place I *knew* I wanted to go when I started planning this trip, and as it turns out it's going to be the last big leg. I can't even imagine what my time there will be like, but pretty excited to find out. I should note that thanks to my friend Sejal, who really ought to consider being a travel-writer, I am very well-prepared for this sojourn. Sejal, let me take this opportunity to officially (and publicly) apologize for ever having teased you about your thoroughness during grad school. ;)
More soon....
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1 comment:
Josie, I am sure now you have fulfilled & excelled at all the Bonderman fellowship requirements! The number of countries, how you've navigated using every possible mode of transportation. Connected with the locals, and especially these kids in Chang Mai......you do have a good heart!!!! and as I said in my toast at your grad/going away party: you will meet angels all over the world!!! You are an angel magnet...love you honey!!! Mom
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