Home

I made it safely back to the US. Yesterday was a full day of traveling and goodbyes. We said our final farewell to the bungalows around 8 and left Nevis on a ferry about 9. We made it to the St. Kitts airport, and after that the day was a lot of time spent waiting around. A big group of us flew from St. Kitts to Miami on the same flight. Going through customs and everything in Miami was a hassle, but we eventually all met up for dinner. Then it was time for goodbyes. A group of people were on the same flight to Raleigh, and they left first. Then we said goodbye to a girl flying to Nashville. Then I said bye to the group going to Charlotte and got on the plane to Atlanta. It felt odd to be alone. I had been around that group of people every minute of every hour for the last five weeks, and suddenly I was on my own. I made it into Atlanta around midnight, and was home about 1 am.

The final farewell

I'm really glad to be home. It was great to see my parents. The air conditioning is incredible. I was so glad to sleep in my own room and my own bed last night. I'm thrilled to be back to reliable internet, texting, and warm showers. The little things are making me really happy right now. I'm really glad to be watching the Braves again. Plus it's shark week on Discovery Channel and I haven't watched TV in over a month.

I can't say enough just how fantastic this experience was. I've returned from it tanner and blonder. More mature and wiser. Assured about my career path and more knowledgeable about archaeology. A little more worldly and a lot more confident. Scuba certified. And with some awesome friends and fantastic memories.

I'm not sure that there's any way to really sum up my trip and end this blog. But thanks for the good times, Nevis. These memories will last forever.

Goodbye, Nevis

Our last day in Nevis. Yesterday after the final we spent the day at the pool and beach. Today we chilled, packed, and just hung out. It was a good way to end the trip.

Fond memories of me and Greg and lab

This study abroad trip was far from perfect. At one point, Dr. Fitzpatrick looked at me and went "Well, Alyson, at least now you know what it's like to be on a dig where everything that can go wrong, does go wrong." But even with all the problems, this was a fantastic experience. It was my first archaeological dig, and that I'll never forget. This confirmed what I want to do with my life. I met some great people whom I'm sure I'll keep in touch with. At least one, anyway. I learned to Scuba dive. I climbed a mountain. I lived in a foreign country for a month and learned about the culture and history. I explored a rainforest and ate exotic fruit. I found a burial. I waited out a tropical storm in a tiny, open air bungalow. I defeated some large insects. I learned about bee keeping. And I had some damn fun nights. Overall this was the trip of a lifetime and I know it's something I'll never forget.

I don't know exactly what to say to wrap this up. I'm not sure that the perfect words actually exist. So Nevis, thanks for everything. And to my fellow study abroadees, thanks for an incredible trip. Yall mean the world to me.

Some really awesome people