Thank You

As I get ready to leave Bangladesh and close the door on my graduate school experience, I thought it would be good to say thank you to all those people who have supported me in my adventures abroad over the past three years.  This is only a small token of my appreciation for all these people have done for me.  I can only hope to one day more significantly repay their kindness. 

To my parents, who never say "No" when I tell them where I want to go next, no matter how remote or crazy; they just say "Be safe" and "Can we visit?" And for teaching me two very important lessons: a person can adapt to any situation or set of conditions, and if you eat anything and everything people will like you.

To my brothers, Zamir and Akiva, who always find a way to support/harass me in their own special way, regardless of where we all are.

To the readers of this blog, some of whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting, who continuously cheer me on and make me feel like a much better writer than I really am.

To my friends, old and new, who remind of how lucky I am to travel so much by warning me about the perils of life in a cubical, and who pretend to enjoy to endless slideshows.

To my mom's family in Bombay, and Saint Fatima in particular, for showing me both how to have fun in the madness of the developing world and what it means to serve the less fortunate.

To my fellow solo women travelers everywhere, and Haley and Drew specifically, for paving the way, offering helpful tips, and providing much valued emotional support.

To the University of Michigan, which, perhaps unwittingly, has given me an obscene amount of money in summer travel funding.

To my professors, who taught me enough to make me look smart in front of my supervisors.

To the travelers I've met along the way for making me jealous enough of your trips to inspire me to continue exploring the world. And for not stealing my stuff.

And finally, to the kind people of India, France, Brazil, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, and Bangladesh for making my travels over the last three years so enjoyable and enriching. From the anonymous, concerned street food vendors who gave me directions, to my NGO colleagues who taught me about hard work and dedication in the face of challenging circumstances, to the unforgettable individuals who shaped my adventures through their kindness, humor, and generosity (Tree, Grandma tailor, Kim Lai and Grandpa Lai, Bonay, Sun, Sharlotte, Elvis, George, Azad, Robi, and Sudhir, to name a few), I am incredibly indebted. They may not remember me in a few years, but their spirit will remain with me forever.