Dear Family and Friends,
I write this from the Wyndham Airport Hotel in Miami....Phoebe and I arrived late yesterday afternoon into Miami to meet her Traveling School group and teachers....FINALLY!!! The last weeks have been filled with so much preparation...it felt like we would never be ready for this day....SO with an almost 50 lb. pack PLUS her daypack (@ 15 lbs) Phoebe was off!!
The group of her fellow 13 travelling ladies and outstanding 3 teachers (the 4th is advanced in Quito) were AMAZING...it has been so EASY to hand her off to her new "family" as she begins this journey into her LIFE ahead!!
Each girl (ages 15 - 18) seemed so self assured...so REAL....so READY....and nervous and scared and awkward and EXCITED!! The teachers did a presentation that was....unbelievably high intentioned, empowered, intelligent, young women leading these "lady students" off to SCHOOL...where the "world" is their classroom....I can't get over how impressive her teachers are...and when I watch them interact with this new group of travelers...I burst inside...knowing that Phoebe is in the hands of MENTORS....
It actually creates the warm and knowing feeling that it truly was "Time for her to Fly"....she IS so ready for this level of experience...one that I or Shannon or the people that she has looked to for 17+ years just aren't capable of providing...
So, with tears shed as I watched my daughter get on the bus...with that BEAUTIFUL Phoebe smile....for 3 1/2 months (she comes home on my birthday - May 15th!!)...I am so secure in her abilities to walk into her life with all the tools that I have hoped and dreamed and helped to manifest in her!!
The group has arrived in Quito, Ecuador...they will be traveling to a 1580 (as in the year built!!) Hacienda that straddles the Equator!! The girls were looking forward to seeing if water does really swirl in opposite directions in the TOILET depending on which side of the Hacienda you are on!! Apparently the Mayor of this town owns the hacienda...so the girls will be invited to participate in the town's activities and community service - when not in school....
We will not have contact for two weeks...as this gives the GROUP time to bond....Phoebe has set up a blog...I will put out that info when I get it...AND PLEASE PLEASE email....The Traveling School has encouraged us to email our students....Don't expect much in terms of a reply...but it is always great to hear/read familiar and loving words from the people she cares about most....
Phoebe left feeling physically and mentally strong in a way that will really give her the perserverance to embrace the motto of "when it's hard...work harder!
My love and gratitude to EVERYONE!
I will be back in Evergreen on Sunday night...and off on my own journey to India on Thursday of next week!! I will be in touch....
Love, Love, Love,
Nancy
Logo
Galapagos Group Shot
Equator
At the Equator
Handstand Lake Titicaca
Machu Picchu
Galapagos Sea Lion
Ecuador carnival
1 comment:
Talk about synchronicity. Nancy's birthday is on the girls' arrival date. My 50th was on the day Bill and I brought Caitlin to Miami for the trip (Feb. 1). I echo Nancy's sentiments about the orientation in Florida. The teachers for this trip are AMAZING. I feel so lucky that we found out about TTS and that Caitlin is able to participate. Frankly, I could not dream of anything better to do on this milestone birthday. I know that the trip will be a fantastically life-altering experience for Caitlin and all of the other girls on TTS11. A million thank yous to Gennifre, Jim, Jennifer, Claire, Heather, Cara & Dawn. With lots of love and appreciation, Ellen Wraith (ellen@wraiths.com)
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