We’re off to India tomorrow and I wanted to post some final portraits. One from the Seattle and one from Connecticut. Next stop Calcutta! (Megan)

Last day in Seattle, last day with baby kitties

Brendan's genius Taj Mahal jack o' lantern

We left Seattle last night on an overnight flight to Newark, after a day of frenetic errand running, cleaning, and saying goodbye to Jasper, Riot, and Seattle. I jumped on another flight after a great breakfast on the upper east side, and now I’m in Chapel Hill, stealing wi-fi from a bubble tea factory.

The campus here is really beautiful.  There are lots of rich fall colors, and the regal collegiate architecture has an interesting blend of Old South and East Coast.  I parked the rental on Franklin Street (NC equivalent of “the Ave”), and saw a statue of a guy with a musket, and as I approached I said to myself, “Is that a Confederate memorial in the middle of campus?” and it sure was!  There was even an old guy with a thick accent and a hearing aid who was talking about the war to some other folks–but I don’t think he was old enough to have fought for Dixie.  Oh, South!  Some things never change.  I think I’ve already said hello to more strangers in a couple of hours than I did in two Seattle years.  It is well and good to be below the Mason-Dixon.

Tomorrow I’m meeting with an administrative rep to tour the Information and Library School.  In the afternoon, I’m going to check out Raleigh-Durham’s offerings before heading to the airport at 5ish.

The Saints are underperforming right now against an unpredictable Miami team.  I’m not too worried, because the Dolphins aren’t going deep into the playoffs, and OF COURSE the Saints are going to struggle against the ‘cat in an away game.  Plus, they weren’t going to go lossless this year–though I will admit it did cross my mind   Adversity breeds resilience! Unless you’re a fan.  SIGH. (Brendan)

Megan and Brendan will be in India from November 1st 2009-April 30th 2010.  Right now we are tying up loose ends in the U.S. and paving our pathway to the east!  Stay tuned.