it seems like only yesterday that i was wandering about in the dawn, a little before the sun had begun to rise, where, for a few tranquil moments, it was just the world and i.
the world, and i. a scary thought.
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before i forget,
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now, so much later—i close my eyes, take a deep breath, and there i am again.
there i am, standing once again in the dawn at home base—our lodging for two weeks in idyllic, life-changing kilimanjaro. how could i ever forget?
how could i forget the first night, where the electric fence got me up at four in the morning, and i lay jet-lagged in my bed listening to this new country's symphony of rooster, cricket, and laughter from the kitchen wafting in through the window? or the food, the amazing food—avocados, donuts, lemon tea, the guac (!!!), and, of course, my favorite pasta and soup?
or, as time passed, the uke sessions, the dance parties, and the endless singalongs? the card games, mind games, and the endlessly entertaining mafia showdowns where someone would not shut up? and, who could ever forget spoons, wink murder, and most importantly, the dobble?
the supermarket visits? the leadering of each day? the mambo-poaing everyone we'd pass? and the shicamoo-ing, to which we knew we'd receive marahaba? uweza's life-changing speech? the education and talks and the unforgettable gla students oy-yay!!? the primary school, and all its loving children and staff? team 2? recess? philbert and the rest of my squad? the service—doing real hard work while jamming to 2012's greatest hits? the daily podcasts? the shoutout circle (and, most notably, brendah's daily shoutout to all of you for being the best versions of yourselves)?
then, of course, the hike to the top of kilimanjaro... the top of the bottom? my host family: katie, josh, and the rest? the seamstress and all of our fabrics, now clothes? s.p.a.c.e. j.a.m. (roll kickin' sticks!!)? the mentors—aka the sweetest and most loving people in the whole world? and who could forget the emotional mentor group discussions? the serema circle game? a certain someone's laugh? first i'm gonna get ya, then i'm gonna eat ya? the campfire? brendah's kid and inno's girlfriend, both of whom we're still waiting to meet? and the final weekend—safari-ing?
and the hotel halfway thru the safari, when we were sitting in that dimly lit lounge, chatting, 50 cent sprites, some mediocre pizza, no care in the world?
how could i forget my family?
stuck in a knot of emotions. all i can say for sure is that i'm eternally thankful that i have something to be so, so homesick about. asante.
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