Day 24 & 25 A Fond Farewell

The world race team has moved on in their global journey. I will really miss them, but am so thankful that they were a part of this trip and for the ways they touched my life.

Day 24

We spent the morning in Hoi An which is about forty minutes away from Da Nang. It is a huge spot for tourists to go shopping. They are streets full of little shops. You can get so many different things, including custom made shoes and clothes. It is all about playing a bargaining game with the shopkeepers. They give you a starting price, but they are always willing to knock a good bit off the price. Sometimes they will even start with a "discount", "this t-shirt eighty thousand, but just for you seventy." Always just for me though, so do not expect such preferential treatment if you go. I did not take any pictures while we were there. In part because some people (little old ladies) expect you to buy overpriced items (fruit) if you take a picture (which two different girls found out separately) Bambozeled was a word that was thrown out.

That evening we went to the Brewer's for a goodbye dinner.

 Ice cream sundaes! Say what?

Gosh, I miss this lady already!

 Yes, it had to rain on their last night. It had to POUR!!!

 So much SINGING!

Day 25

The day started early. The team's flight out was was at 8:00am so we all left the hotel at six something or other. I'm not going to lie there was some crying going on. Goodbyes never get easier. I look forward to the day when I no longer have to say goodbye ever again. Alfred Lord Tennyson said it very well "Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all."

 "I wanna be a millionaire so freaking bad, oh wait, I am"

 The city is beautiful early in the morning

 Such a fantastic group of girls. I am excited to see how you all shake and love the world!

After coming back from dropping them all off at the airport I was given the most probably the most pitying glance I have ever received from the lady at the hotel's front desk. I wanted to tell her not to look at me like that! I would be fine on my own, but mostly I did not want pity because that would just make me start missing the girls and crying more! 

However, I am not alone by any means. Elissa and Jillian went to breakfast with me and than I explored a little while they had worship practice. Than I had lunch with the whole Brewer family and Judy, who is a midwife from New Zeland that just got here the other night to do some trainings. A few hours ago, Elissa took Judy and myself out for some fabulous street food. I really appreciate having so much company today, and love all these people (can you sense another sad goodbye?) I keep reminding myself to just be present to now because this is the only chance I have to enjoy the twenty-fifth day of my trip. Remember today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.

Love these ladies! Judy had her first ride on the back of a motorbike to go find fruit with Elissa.