Farewell South Africa... you don't know how much you will be missed

Today was our last excursion and it was by far the most adrenaline-charged. We went shark diving. It was quite the experience with massive Great White sharks, uncomfortable wet suits, taking risks and overcoming fears. It took two hours to get to the site, so I had plenty of time to think about the experience and the whole trip in general. The before car ride was mostly spent trying to control myself and convince myself that this was a sane idea but the after car ride was quite different. As I thought about the fear that I overcame with the sharks and the risks and experiences I had with other parts of the trip, I found myself thinking about my priorities. Is what was most important to me before the trip the same as it is now? Why is it different? How can I reorganize my very well planned out life to accommodate to my new found self? Because of all of the things that I was exposed to and immersed in, I repeatedly asked myself if I was ready to settle, not only on a career choice but on where the rest of my life was going. I thought about all of the other things that I wanted to experience, to see, and appreciate. I thought about all of the challenges and risks that I may or may not want to face. I thought about how possibly one of those adventures could take me down a completely unanticipated path and lead to following a dream and I am not yet aware of (somewhat like our friend Justin with These Numbers have Faces).

All of these thoughts brought me back to one of our lectures about identity. Have I explored all of the pieces of me? Yes, I am human, female, American, student, daughter, sister, friend, child-lover (couldn’t think of a better way to put that?), and white. But what else?  After being here for three weeks and learning so much about myself, I cannot help but ask how much more of me is left to discover.  Will being present with my future endeavors be enough to lead me?

With all of the experiences here and all of these new thoughts about my future, how will I explain the trip to those who want to hear about it? I can say now that nothing I say or write does this trip justice. There are no words for the events and rollercoaster ride of emotions that each of the group members endured in their own way. Good thing I have 24 hours to think about it on the airplane ride home.

See you in the states my friends