Arrival in Philly - 6/13/11
At the hotel. Just feel like I’m taking care of business at the moment. As in, there are things to do, keeping me busy and not looking too far ahead. Got a “Flyer Ice Steak” at Carpo’s or something. Cool neighborhood, the old town. Bill and Dan stayed at Society Inn Hotel, right by me, when they were here. Whoaaa, cool. Met a couple volunteers, but only in passing. Already saw two older volunteers, and that’s great. I love that! It feels a little like college still. I find it funny they make sure we know to dress in business casual. Funny that that is a thing they have to deal with. Makes me feel young. I want to do nothing except impact my village, first and foremost. The friends and acquaintances will come. It’s interesting how the people you are supposed to be friends with, you end up friends with. You gravitate toward those simliar to you. Just look at the group of friends I have in GR. Just seems shockingly close and well suited for each other.
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So, the first day is over. Some thoughts:
Amazed and inspired at the diversity in our group, especially in age. 22-72, no joke.
It is comforting to be in the company of 40 like-minded people; 40 people who took the same risks and are here for the same reasons as you. This makes it far easier to jump in to conversation with one another. Everyone is excited to be here and have open minds to the experience.
27 months is simultaneously a long time and not long enough.
I cannot wait to see the nite sky of Tanzania, free of light pollution, populated with the constellations of the southern hemisphere.
We ate at a sushi place tonite that took 2 hours to bring food to us. Hmph. It was fine. I am attempting a better diet from here on out. Maybe I’ll get some more junk food before leaving for TZ, but after that, health, baby! Get those endorphins pumping, for everyone’s sake.
