The second we returned to probably our favorite place we had been to, i think it hit everyone right then that it was our last week, and then that would be it. Bye bye kenya, and Bye bye Team tusker!
We all tried to ignore it and make the most of our final week together, but it was at the back of everyones minds.
We spent the final week plastering and painting the walls of a new classroom built in a near by orphanage. The kids here mostly werent actually orphans, only a few were, but most of them had no parents and lived with other family members. They were adorable. We lost each member of the group one by one as we each got tempted too much and would leave our painting and go and play with the children. They were just too cute!!! And i think we had all lost interest in our work too. We spent the last few days here just mucking around with each other and playing with the kids. One lunch time we were sitting around, each of us with a child on our laps, playing and laughing, then they started singing a christmas song!!! it was the cutest thing. When they finished i looked up at the girls and 2 of them were crying. It wasnt just because of how CUTE these kids were, it was just such an emotional time. We really didnt want to leave.
On our last day we asked Rosie if it would be ok for us to skip working that day and spend it at the beach one last time, buying souvenirs and just preparing to leave. She said this was fine, although Duncan wasnt best pleased. But by this point we were so fed up and angry with Duncan we couldnt have cared less. He was a passionate man and wanted the best for his village and the people around him, but his organising skills were abominable and half the time he wouldnt know what to do with us and would get us to do petty tasks, making us feel like there was no point in us being there at all. The week Katie was in hospital he didnt know how to handle it or what to do, so he practically ignored it and her parents were one of the last to find out. I cant fault The leap in the slightest, but Duncan didnt know how to be responsible over a group and this really got on our nerves towards the end. Bless him. Rosie however became like another member of the group, like Stevie, and we loved spending time with her.
So we spent a very emotional last day stocking up on hand made items and having our last ever day at Fourties all together in the sun, eating our bodies weight in samosas, chips and burgers and cocktails. We had a farewell thing in the evening with african foods for the last time, and packed our bags.
The next day, Tina was the first to leave, as she was going on with her travels, going to Australia. This was when it really hit everyone that we were leaving. We were all in tears, all hugging, some of the girls could hardly talk. It was awful. She drove away on her own and the rest of us just waited in silence until the rest of us had to go. Keira, Sarah, Ben and katie were all staying for an extra week, but Jen, Emma, Ann, Bry, Rory and i were all going back home, So we all went together to the office to get our passport and other documents we had left there. We said a brief goodbye to Duncan, and yet another teaful good bye to Rosie, to Combo and all the other members of the camp at Makongeni. We arrived at the office to get our stuff. We were all quiet, watching the clock, waiting. It was so awful. Then Andrew came out and said it was time to go. That was it. Everyone just broke down, Jen had ugly cry face going on (loveyou), we were all such a state. We got in the truck and drove off. It felt like the worst break up ever, it was so hard to say good bye. The rest of us got the the airport and had another sad farewell, this time with Andrew, our loveable driver. It was so awful flying home, none of us wanted to leave.
what felt like days later, we finally arrived at Heathrow Airport. I felt so numb and so sad. We collected our bags and walked to arrivals like zombies, the others were getting trains or further flights to where they lived, it was just me and Rory getting picked up here. We walked through to arrivals to meet my parents. For some reason i felt really nervous. Then i saw their faces waiting right at the front, my mum was smiling and her eyes were all teary. I gave them a massive hug, did a quick introduction to the others. Then we all said goodbye. I knew i was seeing jen, ann and bry the weekend after, but it just didnt feel right having to say goodbye to them. We were all crying, hugging, demanding each other to stay in touch, saying we'd see each other soon. But it just wasnt right.
A year has past since this day. And i cant believe it. I think we can all agree that we each left a piece of our hearts in Kenya. These were some of the happiest memories i think i will ever have. There is not a day that goes past where i dont miss kenya. And there still arent words to describe how much i miss the group.
We have had many meet ups since then, and each and every time it feels like we were never apart. I could never have imagined such a special friendship as we each have with each other. They are much more than just my friends. We were like a little family. We may have bickered, we may have wound each other up at times, but i love these crazy kids so much more than i could ever say. I dont even know how i could ever thank you all for the best 3 months of my life. And i think you are all the only ones who could know what i mean. I have definitely made friends for life from this trip.
A special thankyou to The Leap, thank you so much for giving me this experience.
I would like to say RIP to Edward. It hit me hard when i read Tina's email. I will never forget your big toothy smile.
And Team Tusker, i miss you so, so much.
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