(It WAS 18 hours when I wrote this!)
Well, I have officially left home! After a couple of weeks of “goodbye-for-nows” to my wonderful friends and coworkers, I said goodbye to my house and Lucy (that’s my car) this morning, and I’m currently in the backseat of my mom’s car on the way to Minneapolis. My Dad, Christine, and Brandyn are coming to send me off as well. We’ll be staying in a hotel tonight and getting up real early for my flight to Quito in the morning.
I am trying to think of ways to describe the way I am feeling right now, but it is nearly impossible! It seems like my emotions are constantly changing. For the past week I’ve been in this pre-departure zone of disbelief, nervousness, excitement, apprehension, and anxiousness. I don’t think I’ve ever felt a combination of so many emotions at such intensity, EVER. It’s definitely an indescribable feeling. I feel like I have been telling people about my trip to Ecuador for so long that I began to think that departure day would never come. It still has not hit me that I am actually doing this, and I probably will not realize it until I arrive there.
I am super excited to meet the wonderful people that will be in Ecuador with me. I am looking forward to meeting my host family. I cannot wait to finally see the country that I have been admiring through photos. I am excited to hear and to speak Spanish. I’ve got to be honest though, one of my largest apprehensions is the language. I am confident in my ability to communicate in Spanish – but it is a bit different to talk to a native speaker than to another person in my Spanish class. Of course, it’s always a little nerve-wracking to step outside of my comfort zone, and I am going to miss my family and friends a looooot. Despite all of my worries and apprehensions, I know that this is going to be an amazing experience, and I truly do feel ready (as ready as I’m going to be!) I am ready to love every moment of my time in Ecuador, to grow, to learn, and to have the time of my life.
I will do my best to keep you all posted!
I have posted my mailing address in Ecuador, but I think the most reliable form of communication is going to be through e-mail – and I’d love to hear from you!
Love and God Bless!
Jessica :o)
