Turning Off The Lights

I'm sitting in my bed, in my now-empty room, with packed bags sitting neatly nearby, and it's finally starting to sink in that it's time to go home. It all went by so fast that it was hard to really realize that it was time to go home - even when we had final presentations in class, or as my students were crying as we gave last hugs, or as we waved our way out of the Ana al-Masri center that last time. I mean, the past week I've been telling myself that this is my last whatever. My last time in Khan al-Khalili, my last sandwich ma ful bilsalsal, my last metro ride, my last time on the Nile. There were plenty of warning signs telling me that it's time to go back home, I just never really took the time to read them, or process what they meant.

And when I say "last," I hope to not mean the last time forever. I absolutely would love to return to Cairo, and hopefully to bring a few of you with me. And I'm excited to go back home, to see my family and some friends and to go on PWILD and to go to Prague. I'm excited for Mexican food, and to see Inception, and to not be harassed in the streets.


But, as I've said before, there are so many things that I'll miss. The call to prayer, the fruit juice, our bawab, the cafes - all will be missed. And all the people that I've met here can rest assured that they will be remembered. Especially my students, who have some of the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever met. On our last day, they brought us a feast of Somali food that defies description, and gave us presents, and just enjoyed being with us one last time before our tearful goodbyes.

So, as I head off to sleep one last time, I guess all I want to say is a big "THANK YOU" to DukeEngage for this opportunity, and مع سلامة to Cairo - for now.

Now, this won't be my last post. I'll post in the next few days about my transition back to America, and maybe about PWILD, and then later this blog will chronicle my Prague experiences! Because a migratory bird only goes home for so long.