March 25: Mark's Perspective

It is early, Curt and I are tired, he falls asleep on the toilet; getting up this morning is hard.

Maria picks us up and brings us to the Sheraton (Barack Obama stayed here 2 days ago) where the convention is held.  The two of us get some breakfast and our energy beings to come back to us (best coffee of the trip!).  2:00 roles around, Curt and I have been here at the hotel since 9:30 as we take shifts between tweaking our presentation and napping. 

Presentation goes amazing; Victor translates for us.  Victor is an awesome person, we all wish we got to know him sooner than the last few days of the trip. As Kim mentioned, Curt sang 'Long many you run' by Neil young at the end of our presentation while slides of our trip flipped through on the screen.  We hear pockets of the audience laugh or clap as most people in the room have been a part of our trip at one time or another.  You can see people emotional, I am too.

This is it; the climax.  One month of travel and this is our moment of thanks and reflection.

People approach us after and tell us that in 8 years, this is the best GSE presentation they have ever seen.  Their sincerity is welcoming and it certainly makes us feel great that they enjoyed our journey.

At this point: mixed emotions.  Two days left, a bit of a wind-down and it feels like this trip is finishing.  I want to stay, maybe continue to Guatemala, Honduras and Belize, but I miss Jess.  I can't wait to share with her and others our story.

I am going to miss meeting new, amazing, passionate people.  People prepared to share, love, create.  We have been in their homes and they are in our hearts.

MC