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School is out and all is quiet on the Norwich campus. Our group is now scatterred across the country spending time with family and taking care of all the last minute details. In just one week we'll all be gathering at Logan International Airport in Boston to begin our journey to Tanzania.
Here is our Itinerary once we reach Africa...
We began our group journal in February, 2007. One team member contributes an entry each week.
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May 2, 2007
I'm sitting in the library right now, and I know that I should be working on my final English essay. But like most students at this point in the year, my motivation is lacking. We just had our "send off" for the Tanzania trip yesterday. That was the most excited I've been about going. Probably because all the work is done, and now we're down to the final nitty-gritty preparations such as packing, collecting donations, and other logistical details.
The trip is just around the corner, and I really never thought it would come. The year flew by so fast, and here it is, already less than a month away. A question was asked at the send-off yesterday about any apprehensions that we are having as members of the team. Of course I'm nervous, but since then I've really taken time to consider why. There are the obvious reasons; like I really really don't want to get sick. And I've been on an airplane many times before, but for some reason, I'm a little nervous about flying over the entire Ocean. And I'm just hoping I'll adjust well to the time change and the food we'll be eating. So much of that is psychological, and underneath it all I know I'll be fine. But I've realized that there is a much bigger thing that I'm nervous about.
Two summers ago I spent 10 weeks in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic doing service projects, and it was the best summer of my whole life. My perspective changed so greatly that when I came back, I almost didn't recognize myself at times. I built strong bonds with many of the Dominicans that I worked with, and a number of the children. I loved everything about it; the food, the music, the dancing, the language (even though I spoke nada Spanish before going), but especially the people. It was so hard for me to leave. I came back and experienced reverse culture shock at its finest. I was depressed for quite a while before I got back into school and back into my old routine. I had a hard time reconnecting with my friends in the same way. But even now, when I look at pictures, I remember every experience so vividly. And it hurts. I love the culture and the country; it's like a second home to me. I experience the heartbreak of leaving all over again when I remember it.
I'm incredibly passionate about different cultures, so I want to soak it all in and experience the authenticity of Tanzanian culture. I'm looking forward to being surprised and shocked, and having my perspective changed even more. I do realize, though, that the more I allow myself to become connected, the harder it's going to be to leave. The more I learn from and experience with the Tanzanians, the more of myself will be left behind there. And if a part of me is left behind in Pommern, my heart will ache for it after we get back. Part of me is anxious about the return, and the inevitable heartbreak to follow. But I hope I still allow myself the full experience, and don't hold back out of fear. I know it will all be worth it! Less than a month away! I have to figure out where in the world I'm going to buy a mosquito net? I can honestly say that I've never shopped around for that kind of thing before.
~Jessica
