SIMONA

So, my original plan back in fall quarter was to go to Italy with a program through Whatcom. I'd heard about the Africa trip but had made my decision on Italy. Of course I thought the Africa trip was more than interesting. A couple of my friends had recently been to East Africa and I had heard their stories and seen all of their photographs of beautiful people and amazing landscapes, such an enchantment, but I was going to Italy. That was until I took a ceramics class with Kathryn. Africa this, Africa that, Africa, Africa, AFRICA! And I was going to Italy? I don't think so - I wanted to go to Africa! What do I have to do? The applications are due tomorrow?

I shared this ceramics class with Shelly, Megan and Mark. One day after all the interviews were completed and we were all waiting anxiously for the word, Shelly and I were sitting next to each other during one of our once a week lectures and she writes on my paper, "WE ARE GOING!!" YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!! I am going to Africa!

Now that it's the beginning of September, I'm finishing my last two weeks at work, figuring out when I need to move out of my house, get my malaria pills, waiting for my passport to return to me with my visa for Ghana, and planning my get away to California before I embark on the greatest thing that has happened for me since sliced bread. What is a girl to do except be completed excited to experience another culture that is so rich in so many ways. In ways our culture can't compete, and a history so old, ours can only dream. Many adventures wait in this land of mystery. (That's how I see it anyway.)

The process of reality sinking in is still floating about. It's all still a dream building up momentum heading to a day where all these doors stand unlocked and ajar and all we have to do is push them open, even slightly to reveal some sort of magic you hear about in fairy tales, and capture in your dream catchers. My hope is to absorb these experiences and take real life lessons out of it all and be able to apply them in my every day life. If that was to be the one thing I could bring back, I would have more satisfaction that I realize I would have.

© WCC African Study Project