The End Game

Suddenly we are in the End Game. Suddenly I have to manage the calendar. Six weeks from tomorrow we head home. I have been out gallivanting around the country for a couple of weeks (more on that in later postings) and had previously calculated (wrongly) that I would have seven weeks. I also recently found out that we have to surrender our passport and residency permit for several days four weeks from now to clear the way for our exit permit. That means any traveling needs to be scheduled soon. I am trying to convince Tom to visit the island that is home to the Komodo dragon. He is almost on board with that, but like much of the travel here, it will involve a couple of plane flights and a three hour boat ride. Maybe another couple of days in Bali, too.

We will also have a visit from a fellow Fulbrighter for a few days. We found out we are expected to have a "going away party" (broad hints were dropped) so we are trying to get those details arranged. After much dithering on my part I decided to have some clothes made by a tailor. I pick up the first three items on Monday, and if I like them, I may have some more made. One of the universities I spoke at before is making noises about having me come back and do a workshop on writing resumes and cover letters.

And of course the sorting, organizing, and packing, and giving away of some items of value, e.g. my orchids and basil plant, will take a while. We plan to leave many clothes behind, either because they have worn out or because we are just sick of wearing them. I hope my bathing suit will hold out as I haven't found a suitable replacement. We had some batik paintings framed for our walls here with the idea that we would "unframe" them to take home. I hate to have to do that, as I know it will cost a pretty penny to have them redone, but so be it.

We knew from prior Fulbrights that time has a way of accelerating as the end approaches. And so it appears it will be this time. We can't say we will be sorry to leave. It has been a challenging year in many ways, but nonetheless a worthwhile one.

We arrive at Washington Dulles on July 4, too late to make a connection to Columbus. So overnight there and the next morning a transfer to Baltimore-Washington so we can fly on Southwest and save a bunch of money on both tickets and bag fees. Home mid-afternoon on July 5.