I've had four nightmares in Ethiopia. Three have been about leaving, and going back to America.
I've taken a hiatus from internet, email, blogging, and being connecting with the world outside of Ethiopia, because I've tried to be present here. Completely present here, because I haven't loved Ethiopia more than I have in the last two weeks. That's because of stories, and children, and things that I'll mention later. I'll continue the blog in the next couple of days, describing memories of these past three-ish weeks, and there's a lot to tell.
But now, I'm thinking of leaving. I've never traveled like this, like strings are sewn into my heart and into the hearts of the people here. I'm connected to this country --not to the things listed in guidebooks, no. I'm connected to a couple of people, and I'm sad to leave them, because I've learned to love them. Or, because I connected with them, and didn't get time to learn to love them.
I've loved my life here. I'll be back, someday. But now, it's time to leave. Tomorrow, at 11:40pm Addis-time, I'll board a plane and be off to America. Ene wera America naga hedallo.
I'm still learning from Ethiopia, but as I leave, I'm at peace, because I got the opportunity to give myself and that's enough. I didn't save anything or anyone, but I shared, and that's enough.
And now, it's time to leave.
