I dont even know where to begin.. the last month has been a whirlwind. But i suppose the only way is from the top...

- To begin with my last month and a half was spent with a roommate, which was bizarra and suprisingly quite nice. After living for two years alone, and doing everything alone for a better part of that time i did not know how i would feel having a change in the end. Kamini, from the UK, came to Usisya to do work with Temwa and we clicked from the beginning (once i let my guard down and sopped being so possessive of Usisya). From this i wonder what my PC service would have been like had it not been so isolated. The time would have been completely different! and while i do not wish to have been anywhere other than usisya i know it would have been easier in another setting.

- For my village send off there were many parts. First i had about ten PCVs come through for a football match/ health open day and then one night in Ruarwe. It was great ending with a bang and getting to say goodbye to the whole village in a group setting. Also, i think the volunteers who came had a good time and were able to see the area as many had been talking about it for months. A week later i then had the official goodbye as i spent easter weekend walking around to say goodbye. Everyone was, of course, quite kind and wanted to chat as much as possible before my departure. I was given gifts of vitenje (traditional fabric) and an evening of gold label (a local liquer) with my GVH (chief) and several civil servants. Only in malawi!

- I left is a cinematic farewell as everyone escorted me to the ilala (steam boat) and hugged out our goodbyes. My neighbor's little son cried and i tried not to. It was more difficult than when i left home two years ago because i dont know when i'll be able to come back. Before there was an expiration date, now it's hanging on money and life and too many things which are unknown. I will never forget or lose touch of Usisya, i have fallen in love with it. In short... it hurt to leave, but i know i will not be leaving it forever.

- I officially closed out my service on 29 April 2011 with all the fanfare of a hug from staff at the office and beers with PCVs later to celebrate. A final night of dancing in town, and it is over! I am no longer a PCV... and i dont like that thought...Now i sit in Zambia on my COS (close of service) trip working my way home and seeing vic falls and jumping of gorges but i cant stop thinking of how things are ending... not beginning.