7 days left in Cambodia
6 days left of working at the cafe
5 days left of cooking for the teams
4 days left waking up to breathtaking sunrises
3 days left of shopping in the smelly street markets
2 days left of making cookies at the cafe
1 day left to save for the baboon train
There comes a point on the race when you stop counting the days you’ve been on the race and start counting down until the race is over. It comes at different times for everyone, but mine didn’t really start until May 15th. That day marked 20 days until I went home. Yes I had occasionally counted down the day until going home before then, but May 15th was the day that it hit me- this is really ending… I’m actually going home… I won’t be living with my 7 beautiful and funny and crazy teammates anymore… I won’t be using google translate almost daily… I won’t be handling food and transportation costs for my team… I won’t be doing cash exchange rates in my head all day…I won’t be living in a culture that is completely and utterly in love with showing joy to everyone anymore
Although I’m moving on from some really great things and some thing I’m thankful to be done with (**cough treasurer things***), there are some things I’ve learned and get to keep with me after the race too.
I get to speak life to/over people every day, even if that means just praying for them… I get to love people like Jesus loved them… I get to be a light and shine God given joy everywhere I go… I get to walk in greater confidence of the woman I have become…
And some other little things I get to enjoy in the States- I get to speak my native language and be fully understood… I get to use a familiar currency… I get to rest assured that most food won’t make me sick… I get to drink water from the faucet without fear of contamination… I get to walk outside and not be afraid of malaria and dengue carrying mosquitoes… I get to throw trash away and not burn it after… the list goes on.
As my World Race Gap Year come to a close, I will cherish all of these final moments I can’t get back, while looking foreword to the next chapter of my life and the kind familiarities of life in my country.
Content is the first word that comes to my mind when I think about the end of the race. But thinking about it more, the word “fulfilled” fits better; to be satisfied or happy because of fully developing one’s abilities or character.
This year has definitely grown me in my character, abilities, and knowing myself better, and couldn’t be more happy and grateful for it.
Thanks for reading everyone! T- 17 days until I’m home!
Many blessings,
Gracie J
