Goodbye, Mandeville

Last week I found out that I would be leaving Mandeville early and moving to Kingston for my remaining time in Jamaica. The last week has been very difficult for me as I've had to say goodbye to some people and places that I've come to love dearly.

I have spent the last few days taking in all of the sights in Mandeville that I never took the time to appreciate. I'm going to miss the beautiful green mountains that surround the area. I'm going to miss walking down Manchester road with Danae, working our way through the crowd of Jamaicans trying to get our attention and sending every cat call in creation at us. I'm going to miss Mandeville Market, where we go almost daily to get all kinds of  fresh produce. We go so often that the vendors know who we are and know exactly what we have purchased from them in the past. I'm going to miss having access to fresh fruits and veggies whenever I want them.

Yesterday I said goodbye to Knockpatrick school for the Deaf. The principal and the teachers there were sad to see me go. I said goodbye to the missionary families that work there and have been watching out for us since we arrived. We visit their house once a week for a home cooked meal and play with their three adorable children. The worst part was leaving to the kids I have come to love so dearly. They all hold a place in my heart and they will forever. There is little Paris, with one brown eye and one shockingly blue. There's Kyle, who runs up to me every time he sees me and signs "friend." Damion, the little rascal who's always trying to play tricks on me. Britannia, the hyperactive nine year old who is constantly vying for my attention. Seneca, who doesn't have a lot of language and is perfectly content to sit next to us before she gets in line for lunch every day. And, last but not least, four year old Nikayla who I have spent the most one-on-one time with. She doesn't have a lot of language either, but she is so eager to learn to communicate in sign. She will point to things and when I show her a sign, she looks at me and does her best to copy the sign exactly as I signed it. Every time she sees me her face lights up. She loves hiding behind anything or anyone she can, just so she can pop back out and smile at me again.

I have made friends with some wonderful people in Mandeville. Friday night they all came in and we enjoyed a last night out together before I left. It was a great way to end my time here but it was tough knowing I wouldn't be seeing them again. Last night, Danae, Ewan and I made an enormous Jamaican style Thanksgiving feast for my last night in Mandeville. We made roast breadfruit, bammy and pear (avocado), chicken,  fried plantains, festival, complete with bag juice to drink.

This morning I woke up and packed everything to head to Kingston in a few hours. Today I say goodbye to the apartment and the town I have come to love living in. I say goodbye to Danae who has become one of the best friends I could ever ask for. I'll look forward to reuniting with her in Montego Bay at the end of service. I say goodbye to friends I'll never forget. I hope that my time in Kingston goes well, but I'm more than ready to head home and spend some time with my family.