i am in my last week of service and can hardly believe that it's over. it's been an emotional few months from the revolution in april, ethnic clashes in the south, and the referendum. i'm sure there will be more to come before kyrgyzstan will go back to the quiet little country that i know and love.
going around karakol saying goodbye to friends was a bit surreal. i still don't fully believe that i am leaving and really don't feel like i am saying goodbye. my host mom asked me if i was ever going to come back and i said, yes of course. still skeptical, she made me shake on it and promise my return to kyrgyzstan. i think it will take me a little while but i have no doubt that i will come back and visit my family on the other side of the world.
my last week of service consists of teaching amaerican culture and tradition classes to kyrgyz students who will soon fly out to live a year in america. it's this strange full circle to be teaching the classes that were taught to me only two years ago. i still am not sure exactly what i learned or how much this experience has changed me. my service is ending while theirs is just beginning.
monday we will finish our paper work for peace corps and then drive out over the mountains to china. i'm planning to travel until christmas and look forward to this whole new travel experience that awaits.
