Jordan here: Wow, its official. We are now RPCV status (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer). Signed all the papers, did all the medical tests, said all the goodbyes. We are left with our last lunch of pizza at Melting Moments and hand off our bag to be taken for us by a great friend James to London (thanks James) where we'll pick it up later in the trip home. How does it feel? I think once we're on the plane and flying away for the last time things will just start to sink in. No more regulations, rules, etc. We're free! But that can be kinda scary. Now without the Peace Corps safety net, we'll have to handle all our problems ourselves until getting home. Our last days at site were good. Said our many many goodbyes, said our amens to all the prayers our community sent with us, and took some last pictures. The last day when Nico showed up for his replacement visit went by very quickly and when it came to the moment of the car door open and our closest friends there to see us off, tears definitely fell. Issah, Osuman, Alija, Hikima, and a few others, the characters of many of our stories and subjects of our favorite pictures were there. Eventually we just had to do it and jump in. We were silent for a good half hour, watching our land of 2 years pass by our windows. But, I firmly believe that our lives were greatly fortified having that time with those people in that place. We'll miss many things about it.
The trip to Accra was very low stress. Nice car to pick us up, a couple hotel rooms, and not have to worry about our luggage. In Accra, we started straight off the car and got to work with the administrative process. We knew it would be a bit of stressful few days, especially now that since we're gone from our home, there's little holding us here. I lost 23 pounds since coming to Ghana, wow! I predict most of that will be gained back quite rapidly. We weighed and packed our bags, cashed out our accounts and exchanged into Euros, and printed our intinerary for the next 6 weeks. We can't wait to see family along the way and good friends. We'll stay in touch on this blog as we go since our parents will be traveling with a laptop and we can find internet. So check back again in a few weeks to see how Morocco was and maybe the first days of Europe! Until then, just starting to let things sink in and saying lots of prayers for safe, relaxing travel, and returning back to the USA ready for the next chapter!
