Mar 2007

[b]I've recently been reading through a lot of old journals and post cards and such from the trip. I can't even begin to put into words how meaningul those 3.5 months of my life were. I made some friends who will undoubtedly be in my life forever. I saw countries that other people will only ever dream of visiting. I saw extremes of poverty and suffering beyond anything I had ever imagined. I know all of this. But the people I care about don't. I came home with a head and a heart full of knowledge and experience. It has been difficult to put these experiences into words. And as usual, pictures never do it justice.

I feel selfish for having kept all of these things to myself. As much as I want them to be mine and mine only, that wouldn't be fair to the people who gave me both money and support to do this. I owe them something. I owe them this. I want to share my experiences with you. I don't claim to be an amazing writer. Frankly, I don't even claim to be a GOOD writer. Please forgive me for that.

In sharing these stories, I'm not looking for anything in return. I do thank you all who take the time to read from the bottom of my heart. These stories you read are my life. I hope they mean something to you because for me, it meant the world.

With love,
Kathryn