It’s official – the mighty Shiva crew has parted ways and everyone is on to the next chapter of their adventures!
As Paff prepars to board a plane to Indonesia and Avy packs for a 38 hour train ride to Southern India,we wanted to take a minute to send each of our Shiva crew a little love, and also thank all of the parents, friends, and family who have supported us along the way. Ā Shiva, we cannot thank you enough for the sweet sendoff. Ā (For those of you who don’t know yet, our crew secretly organized a fantastic show for us: at the airport, they sang this song loud and proud:Ā http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o48aZ_C52wc. Ā There were some definite tears!). Ā We cannot thank you enough for many things, in fact: for your laughter. Your dedication. Ā Your patience and flexibility and going with the flow. Ā The way you each stepped up when you needed to, and stepped back when it was time to hear other voices. They way you dove head first into India, with all of the high highs and low lows. The way you supported and loved one another. Ā The ridiculous accents and multiple personalities and the ability to observe from afar…before diving in. Even (actually, especially) the way you dumped cold water on our heads. Ā What a ride this has been, and we couldn’t have asked for better people to share it with.
We also wish you each health and happiness and joy on whatever comes next! Ā Paff will soak up some sun and surf for 6 weeks in Indonesia before leading the Carpe South America semester in the Spring. Ā Avy will soak up the sun and rocks on a climbing adventure in India before returning to lead the East Africa semester. Ā Evangeline will have her own solo adventures here in India before a whirlwind year of New York, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia. Ā Megan will be the tour guide for her mom in Southern India, where we wish her a speedy recovery and the two of them beautiful adventures on house boats, before returning home to Oregon and then heading off again for her Latitudes placement in South America. Ā Matt will spend a month with loved ones back home (possibly including visits to fellow Shiva friends on the ski slopes of Colorado?) before heading off to Costa Rica for the Spring. Ā B-Town (aka Brad, aka Branz) will also spend some quality time with family before continuing the travel adventures in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Ā Miss Walker-J will explore San Francisco for a few days with her mom and sister/fellow-Carpe-alumni before heading back home to Kentucky, diving deeper into art and dance, and dreaming and scheming of next plans that may range from Italy to New Mexico. Ā Payton can be found in the foothills of Colorado, organizing ski trips and planning language immersion in Central America, learning to cook, and embracing her new internship at The Hub.
For those of you who have been following our travels from afar, thank you. We could never do this without your love and support. Ā Thank you for lending your children/friends to us and to India for these past few months, and thank you for inspiring their dreams. Ā When they come back home, hug them for us. And then pull up a chair: they have some incredible stories to tell.
Well the chai wallas are calling… So long. Farewell. Ā Namaste and danyabad! Ā We wish each of you continued health, happiness, reflection, and growth as your journey continues!
PaffAtar (Paffy and Avy)