Last Night in Belgium

Tomorrow by this time I will get out of that aeroplane and embrace the steady ground of Sierra Leone under my feet. The days before leaving for 12 months to go work as an epidemiologist for Médecins Sans Frontières have been wonderful and painful at the same time. Cycling my last 20 km back home after drinks last night, watching the stars (without crashing into traffic signs this time), I reminisced about the exciting things that are going to happen and that have happened so far.

Having lousy friends would make leaving a lot easier...now I feel lost having to go, knowing that this time a lot of things will change in everyone's' life. Being in our late 20's - early 30's asks for a certain evaluation of how life has been and how you will fill up the next decade. But where the hell is the right answer?

I sometimes hear people saying 'it's so courageous of you, going to Africa and work for this wonderful organization, I would never be able to do that!' Than I always smile and think, you have no idea how courageous your are yourself, I probably would never be able to do what you do either. Mutual respect creates a nice atmosphere.

In conclusion: I am nervous, scared, worried, but excited and curious at the same time. Lets get over this fear of flying (or take that Xanax) and fight that Ebola! I have the most wonderful friends and family in de world, it was great hanging around with them again for the last 6 months and I just want everyone to be safe, healthy and content. Finding your way is never easy, but you are all doing a great job, keep that in mind.

Last Night in our Roaring 20's - Farewell Belgium