Less Than 1 week!

Wow! My departure date is next Tuesday. The first time I said that last sentence was on Wednesday while I was leaving a message on Ronak's cell phone. I hadn't seen him much since he started dental school and I was reminding him about my going away party on Friday night. I started choking up with tears and couldn't even really finish a complete thought before I had to end the message and hang up the phone. I was on my way to Carmen's place to hang out with Carmen and Ricky and, even though I tried to compose myself before going in, they had to comfort me for several minutes before I fully calmed down.

Since my trip had been delayed in June only a week before my originally scheduled trip to Mauritania, I always felt that my September 29th departure date for Mozambique was more of a goal than a firm date. I remember reading about the upcoming Mozambique elections in October of this year and had dreams about my trip being delayed again indefinitely while the political climate settled. Here I am, however, only a few days away from leaving and all of a sudden everything has become a lot more "real" very quickly.

Looking back at this summer, I honestly can't remember a funner, more fulfilling period of my life. I was able to spend time with friends from high school and college, hang out with my family, exercise, volunteer, work, and even travel up to Appalachia twice. Most recently, my second to last weekend in Gainesville before Peace Corps was capped off by a Saturday full of tailgating with friends and family before the UF-UT football game and then a family outing to Rainbow Springs, with everyone, including our dog Jewels, making the trip.







I was also able to sneak in a trip to the Tea River with the fam and Ricky

I'd like to thank everyone for being a part of my adventures this summer and if I don't get a chance to say goodbye to you before I leave, know that I love you and hope your next two years are awesome!

One Love,
Michael