Here to Stay, insha'Allah

My dad and I at the Burlington International Airport

       Last night after twenty four hours of traveling, three plans, two layovers, and three microwaved airplane meals, we landed in Muscat, Oman. In the dark of the night we drove to a hotel, and after late night sandwiches, collapsed in our beds.

Our four hour layover in Zurich, that
 caused many group bonding games. 

      Today, was our first time seeing Oman in the daylight, we've spent most of it at orientation, which takes place at the AMIDEAST offices. We've been through a survival Arabic course, host family info, and just general tips and guidelines for Oman.

My first Omani meal!

     Lunch was the first Omani meal of the trip. We ate out at a restaurant in the family section, it was my first time eating on the floor, eating with my hands, and eating in a restaurant with family and nonfamily sections. The food was delicious, we had shuwa, a delicious rice dish that I don't remember the name of, an Yemeni flat bread covered in sesame seeds and honey, and barbeque chicken. Both the food and conversation was delightful.
       Right now, I am off to meet my host family.

On the Eve of Departure

     "I'll see you in ten months." I can hardly believe it, but this is the phrase I've been uttering at almost every conversation's end these past couple days. I have come to realize all the amazing things that will happen without me, the birthdays, parties, and laughs, that will carry on. About to leap into the unknown, I am so tempted to fall back into comfortable. That is what will make leaving the hardest. I will miss my family, friends, neighbors, and teachers. I know the coming year is full of tears, frustration, and homesickness, but I also think it could be the best year of my life.
        I have watched tomorrow approach for months, but I never truly believed it would arrive. It will be a bittersweet day as I hug my dad goodbye, and board my plane alone. Finally, after an application, selection event, acceptance email, orientation, and all the anxious days in between, the adventure, which started as a small thought in a fifteen year old girl's head, is about to take off.
        My bags are packed, documents scanned, and travel clothes laid out, one restless sleep from now I leave Vermont for ten months. I am as ready as I'll ever be, excitement and nerves are duking it out in my stomach. Here's to the unexpected, the different, and the amazing, but for this minute, here's the the last night in my bed.

Here's a goodbye tribute to beautiful Vermont which has been my home for the first sixteen years and three months of my life.