One of my first memories here in Ecuador was sitting on the bus ride from Quito to Cayambe, heading to our training site. Looking out the window all I could see is run down buildings, dirty streets and a sad lot of people. I remember thinking, “What did I get myself into?” How would I be to handle all of this? Two years, impossible!
I’ve made it. Two years later I am here. I am still telling of my misadventures here in Ecuador. I have weathered the storms. I have seen the good and bad in people. I have seen the good and bad in myself. I like to think I have come out of this Ecuadorian life of mine a changed (for the better) person.
Was I the most successful volunteer in my time here? The answer is probably a no. However, I fulfilled my personal goals of Peace Corps. It is easy to look back on the entire experience and regret the things that have and have not happened. I could have tried harder to do this, or I could have worked with that group. I have given it all an honest shot, even though I feel that many times is not enough.
The past is past. I need to enjoy the remaining time I have left here. Now, I get to look forward to the next step of my life. A future that is now open to many possibilities. One that is filled with many new friends and my own menagerie of stories to share with everyone.
I guess this is the end of this blog. It has been my journal during my time here. I thank you all for listening to my stories from Ecuador. With that I leave you with the quote from where the name of my blog comes from, “It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy. Let’s go exploring!”
And one last shameless plug for the new Peace Corps website that my friends have gone and made:
http://www.projectsforpeaceecuador.org
