Sad, sad, sad day.

Chris and Kirsty on their last day at AP
So long, you two! Thanks for helping us think like kids again!
Hels and Kirsty - "We're outta here!" (at the bus terminal Friday night)

Usually I look forward to Fridays with great anticipation, but yesterday was not one of those occasions. I was dreading saying good-bye to Kirsty, Hels, and Chris. English teachers (especially foreign ones) develop a special bond with each other over time--when you work and play with the same folks day in and day out, you start to become close. You share things constantly. You're experiencing a new country together, away from your own country, your friends, and your family. It's much like a soldier's experience with his platoon, I would imagine. Having a friend leave (or two!) is like losing a family member...
Yesterday was exactly our 6-month anniversary of living in Korea, and also the last day we would see Kirsty and Helen, our friends we have come to love. This traveling duo is leaving to experience a host of Asian countries (China, Tibet, Mongolia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Iran, to name a few!) for the next 6 months. They have finished their teaching contracts at AP and at Dari, and are now on the ferry to China (Qingdao) as I write...
Paul, Ara, Kelsey, Conor and I met them at the Intercity Bus Terminal late last night before they caught their bus to Seoul. They gave us all farewell notes and we toasted their departure with some champagne in paper cups. Their bus was late, so we got a few extra minutes with them, just chilling and laughing in the rain.
Kirsty and Hels, we wish you a tremendous journey and we will pray for safety. Thank you so much for all the advice you have given us about teaching, for your excitement about other cultures and people, and for making us laugh and making us question things. We will miss your travel stories, your spunk, your great culinary skills, and most of all, your friendship. Have a wonderful time and keep us posted!
Chris, we will miss having you at AP. We hope that you enjoy giving private lessons in Sokcho, and that we can still hang out with you often! Thanks for always being available to help us with Korean, the kids, and life in Sokcho. Now you'll have a little more free time for fishing!