Sad to be Leaving :-(

My final boardgame

Explorodores de Suramerica

Posing with my boardgame

Today was really hard. It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone. I got up to finish all my stuff in the library. I spent about 2 hours working on photos and labels for the board game. I went to lunch and packed up my stuff. Leo, her son Ariel, and her daughter Jamie came with Fabiola and I to the bus stop. Jennifer’s family came as well. It was sad, and Fabiola cried. I have never cried saying goodbye, but seeing Fabiola, my closest friend/sister cry made me tear up as well. A ranchera passed a bit later, and we got on it with all of our bags.

All I can say is that living in Tabuga for this month has been the best thing I have ever done. I have never seen poverty, much less experienced it firsthand. It has opened my eyes to so many things I can’t possibly express in a journal. I feel like family to my host family and would adopt some of the kids if I could. I could not have asked for, or even dreamed of a better experience, and I wish I could stay longer. I feel like I am leaving so many family and friends behind. I am so thankful for what I have in the US, and all the opportunities available to us. I wish I could take some of these kids and give them the opportunities I have had.

I now realize how important education is to anyone. I am so happy for the contributions I was able to make to help advance the education here. I also am happy to have showed Fabiola a city, and introduced her to new foods and a new language. I love that every penny I spend on someone from this town is appreciated.

 I don’t know how or when, but I will one day return to Tabuga.