Sayonara States

       Well here I am in a hotel in Philadelphia. Waiting for several buses to transport us to New York so we may begin the long flight overseas. In small groups we ventured out last night in search of final comforts by means of food and what I was told was 'good beer'. I took note to savor the warm shower and large comfortable towels provided to us this morning. Last minute mementos that will hopefully help get me through the rough times of illness or particularly nasty spells of loneliness.

       I would like to communicate that one of my stresses for this trip was the constant contact with many other people who I had assumed would be far more sociable than myself, and while that is true I do not find myself in distress. Perhaps it is my own self growth that has permitted me to function easily or maybe the companions of my trip are merely as relaxed and open minded as I hope I am.

        I have met a great many interesting people in the two days since this trip has begun. People who have done ranching, and park rangers, and even a guy who ran with the bulls in Spain. Most of whom are my own age, although the elderly couple who served 30 years ago in the Philippines together (and met there) are quite cute together.

       Well that's all I have for now. Internet connections and so on may be less reliable in the future so I thought I'd throw in a few words a what I could when I could. And just so ya know... I'm not even nervous. I was nervous a few weeks ago, but right now all I sense is a tinge of excitement at the prospect of everything which lies before me. Bon voyage moi.