Right now I'm sitting in Turkey, and I'm a little confused about things like the date and time and whether I'm hungry for breakfast or lunch or nothing, I just don't know. All I know is that I've been awake for a very long time.
So while I await my final flight home, I'm going to tell you about the verrrrry end. All the goodbyes. Not the most exciting part of this trip :( I shed more than a few tears.
We stayed at the house pretty much all day on Saturday, until we had to leave for that airport at around 9:30 at night. We finished packing, and just hung out with whoever came around. There are a few people that I need to yell at (like Fancy Pants...have I told you about that awesome dude?! He's so fancy!) who either didn't stop by or stopped by but left without me knowing it was the final goodbye and that just totally bums me out because I need to know when these things are happening...I need to be aware when I am saying goodbye to someone for the last time! Anyways, we got to see most of our friends, which was wonderful. They came by most of the evening and we took pictures and got some last videos. I cried when Amare started talking to me about how we would still talk when I was in America. And how I'll get to see them all again someday. Don't worry, he says. I also cried when Amen started talking about how this was the last time he would talk to us in Ethiopia. Really? Is that necessary to discuss, Amen? :) I cried a few other times, too...if I'm being honest. I tried to keep it together most of the time, but it wasn't easy. Most of these people I've seen nearly every day for the past three months, and they are all amazing. They're funny, friendly, helpful, caring, and just awesome. I know I'll get to talk to them still, whether it's through email, Facebook, or the occasional Skype. But I don't know when I'll see them again and I'm just going to miss them all so very much. And of course, saying my goodbyes to them just made me realize even more that I was actually going back to America, not only far from them but also far from the kiddies I said goodbye to the day before. I miss those kids an incredible amount already. I could go on and on about them, but I won't do that I here. I'll do that in person. I just want to see them again so bad, already. And I just saw them on Friday. It sounds so stupid, but it's killing me! I can't wait to show pictures and videos and tell stories about them. I just can't tell you how fantastic they all are.
Anyways, we said our goodbyes at the house. I sure am going to miss Desta, the best guard I've ever had! Yeah, I've never had a guard before but...I'm pretty sure he'd be the best anyways. He's hilarious! Even though we can only communicate using like, five words. So we had to say bye to him at the house because, well, he obviously had to stay and guard the place while the others took us to the airport. We went to the airport via minibus...just when I thought I'd ridden one for the last time, I got one more chance. Phew! We had quite the crew take us, which I was pretty darn happy about. Cause clearly this meant I didn't have to say goodbye to them for like and extra half hour...win. Amare, Amen, Masresha, and Joel came with, and we had a little party in the minibus on the way. They walked us as far as they could at the airport, and I waved until we were out of sight.
I still can't believe I'm not going to see them until I don't even know when. I can't believe I'm really going back to America. And I'm sitting in Turkey right now, so I'm obviously going somewhere. Duh. But I think I'll still be a little caught off guard to see my parents waiting for me the next time I get off a plane. I know it's only been three months, but it seems like such a long time. Maybe because I've been far from America, or maybe because I've been living in a place that's like a different world from America. I don't know, but I know America is going to be a big change in a few hours! I'm excited to get back home, I just really can't believe this trip is over.
It has truly been the trip of a lifetime. I backpacked through Europe two summers ago, but this was something entirely different. There were a lot of people (especaily my family!) who were really unsure about me going to Africa. I have to admit, I was a little unsure, too. Definitely nervous. But I can't imagine not having this experience. It was the most amazing thing I've ever done. I learned so much about so many different things, I don't even know where to begin. You can ask me about that in person, too. I don't know that I can blog about all the things I've learned from this trip before my battery dies (and I can't seem to find an outlet in Turkey...what?). And I don't feel that I can do it justice in writing. I met so many incredible people, kids and adults, and as stupid and cheesy as it sounds, it definitely did change my life.
I miss it so much right now that it just makes me sad. I know that after awhile it won't be so bad, and I know that I'm going back someday. Definitely. Hopefully I can bring someone else and introduce them to all the amazing things I've learned there. And hopefully it's sooner rather than later. But no matter what, I'm planning on returning. Maybe not for three months...maybe for only three weeks. Whatevs, I just can't imagine never seeing these people again. It was most definitely the adventure of a lifetime, and I am so beyond happy that I had the opportunity to go. I owe a huge huuuuge thank you to everyone at home who helped me get to Ethiopia, and everyone in Ethiopia who helped make my trip absolutely unforgettable. I love you all!
And so, bekah (finished). Until next time, Ethiopia.
America, here I come.
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