Thirty-five hours later...and a young man returns to familiarity at last. Waiting for an additional two and a half hours on the runway in Kathmandu for the fog to clear, I wasn't sure the journey would be successful, but here we are, back in rainy old Portland. I am so tired, and not just from the plane ride.
It is difficult to sum up an entire three months' worth of experiences in a short blog entry, so I won't even try. I will, however, tell you that I met an infinite number of incredible people, was moved beyond words by the places that I traveled to, and was inspired by the stories of people who are actually out there, making a difference in their respective communities every day of their lives. The experience was a great reminder of humans' capacity for love, forgiveness, and genuine kindness.
Of course, no experience is without its trials. The trials one encounters in places like Nepal or India operate on any of a number of levels, from the crippling bureaucracy of the Indian railway system to the constant barrage of beggars seeking your assistance - on the subcontinent, the tangible and the abstract unite to challenge the core values of anyone who dares set foot within her boundaries.
And what does the future hold in store? First of all - a rest. After that? All I can say is that there are many ways to skin a cat. My experience abroad has taught me, yet again, that we should not remain attached to any one particular vocation, for there will always be something else which comes along which breathes life into us more deeply, sets our emotions free more easily, lets us be ourselves more truly. To deny this fact means denying the life that was intended for us - and that would be a real crime.
Thanks for traveling with me. In moments of both happiness and distress I sensed you all by my side, and for that, I am grateful. May you all find the thing which speaks to you most directly, most personally.
