In Tanzania, you don't say 'goodbye', you say 'badaaye'

I've made it back to the States...in body, not quite yet in spirit. Everything here is so drastically different it's hard to get back into my life, knowing that the old life isn't exactly what I want. The goodbyes were hard. I made a lot of new friends in the volunteers from around the world and from the local volunteers in Tanzania. Mostly, though, I made a connection with the place. I felt so at home, constantly covered in dirt, being called mzungu, and incessantly mobbed by little kids.

My ride to the airport was a somber one. It still didn't feel like I was really leaving. I think Moshi must've fit me like a glove because even as I was leaving, everyone was shocked that I was only a three-weeker. I had found my place and a home in Moshi.

It was surreal at the airport. The day before I had taken Ann-Michelle to the airport. It was finally my time. Jes was my traveling buddy, so that made things a little easier. Richard and Athumani both took us to the airport...dressed in their finest! Athumani had been ill from malaria all week, but rested up enough to give me a proper fairwell. Our goodbyes were exchanged. My tears were withheld. I don't cry in front of people.

Jes and I head to the passport window for the final bon voyage from Moshi. The passport guy wouldn't stamp me. I had my excuse! I couldn't leave!!!! My visa hadn't been properly filled out by the visa gods, which is surely how getting a work visa works. Alas, since Jes and I were traveling together, it was fairly easy to convince him to let me go...darn it.

As we boarded the plane, my imminent departure became even more of a reality. I wasn't ready to be dragged away. My time had only just begun...and yet time had passed and I knew I made an impact, even if only a little one, and a big impact had been made in me. As the plane taxied down the runway, I listened to my farewell song, Africa by Toto. It's trite, but the song rings so true. "It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you..." And it did. The clouds covered Mount Kilimanjaro as if to shield her from the goodbye that was due to her. The plane lifted. It was taking me away from the piece of my heart that Moshi had taken...or had I given it freely? I sat, I think in a bit of shock and disbelief. My only respite was knowing that my heart will one day soon be reunited.

"...I know that I must do what's right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti..."