DEPARTURE

On one cool and blustery morning, a former roommate helped me carry my bags to the Greyhound bus station just 10 minutes away from my beloved bohemian apartment on Boulder's historic and notorious Pearl Street.

I arrived at Stapleton International and caught a jet for Washington D. C. Tears of parting flowed from family members.

In Washington, D. C. volunteers were given a quick overview of Afghan culture and customs, and the "dos" and "don'ts". Don't show your feet to a person. Don't give the "thumbs up" sign. Don't eat with your right hand. Don't talk to the women. We also received a quick primer of key words to know in Farsi. Then we left for Kabul.