After the presentation it was time to say goodbye to everyone I have come to care for here. Sleep took a big hit the past week but the price was gladly paid.
(Me being nostalgic and taking pictures inside the Fulbright building.)
(The amazing FB team. Their dedication and compassion helped make my time here truly great.)
(Lab friends before saying goodbye.)
(At Theo’s house with his family after dinner.)
(Quito and surrounding mountains this morning. The tallest peak in the background is the one I have blogged about hiking to the top twice before. I went running around my neighborhood at 6:45am this morning taking pics; it is so beautiful and quiet on Sunday mornings.)
Today I spent mostly with my EC-family and packing. The highlight was teaching them all how to make play-doh and then us playing with it like little kids! What an amazing family I have been able to live with these past 10 months. I will miss them a lot.
And now it’s over.
But in some ways I feel things have only just begun. I leave tomorrow, this is true, but the friendships I have formed remain, the possibilities to return and continue working in a similar vein are abundant, and the new life-avenues that have opened during my time here leave me very excited for the future.
9 comments:
Hey Mike:
Just wanted to say that I've kept up with all your posts, and although this is my first comment, I'd like to tell you first how proud I am to have had a student like you who went on to do such great things, and second how happy I am that your trip was such a grand success. Take things slow on your way back, and try not to let the reverse culture shock get you down. You'll feel better in a few weeks, and will almost certainly go back to visit at some point. Take great care, and best of luck with your post-Ecuabright adventures!
Patrick
Mikey! I'm so glad that this turned out to be all you expected and so much more! Safe travels back home!
Dear Michael,
"The End" are two little"big" words.
Thanks for all you have committed to this time, thanks for "blogging so thoroughly, thanks for reaching out to so many people and experiences that we might know a bit more of the world though your eyes and heart.
I am so proud of you!! and so grateful to be a part of your world
Much Love, Babs
Thanks so much for taking us with you on your journey!
It is good to hear you survived your adventure. Welcome back Spartan!
Thanks for letting us know the ins and outs of your time in Ecuador. Sounds like you had quite the time and I'm looking forward to hearing about it in person. Safe travel!
We're so proud of you. Thanks for keeping this blog so we could experience the journey with you. Love you! Aunt Patty
Hey Mike,
My name is Mauricio Lascano, originally from Ecuador. I stumbled upon your blog while doing a search on Chagas disease. I found it quite exciting to read some of your entries and to know that you worked on Chagas. Interestingly, I work on Chagas and trypanosomes as well. Currently, I'm in the last year of my PhD at Ohio University. Couldn't get an email address for you so I'm writing here in the hope that you'll get this. I know of more opportunities you might have to go back to Ecuador and possibly work with Chagas again if that's what you would like to do. Please email me back at SL375903@ohio.edu if interested.
Best,
Mauricio
Post a Comment