What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do– especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. – William Least Heat-Moon

New friends are met with each step of this amazing journey and I am unbelievably grateful for the encounters that transpire in meeting each one. Earlier today, our small dorm room with two bunk beds added a girl from San Francisco, Kaya, and thereby completing the no vacancy sign for room number seven. Our sauna of a room is equally balanced as the genders are separated with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. If you didn’t know it you might have thought you walked in to a junior high school dance, but this time around I’m not wearing high water khakis with my shirt tucked and a clip-on tie, oh no, cool as a cucumber and more smooth than a babies bottom I spark up a conversation with Kaya–I know she’s gonna have fun reading this. After short introductions and having the afternoon off from class, we decide to explore the island together. The walk grows uncomfortable as feelings are shared with stories of past childhood traumas and before I know it tears begin to pour out as though Niagara Falls has opened the floodgates and the sleeve of a shirt is used as a makeshift handkerchief, but soon I am able to compose myself. Whew, that was close. I didn’t want her to think I was strange or anything.


