During my drive back to Andijon last Thursday, rain storms gave way to patchy clouds and spotty sunshine as we drove over the mountain pass. It is always a beautiful drive, but with the dramatic light caused by stormy darkness behind me and sunshine fanning out in front of me, the valley seemed to glow. The evening light worked its golden hour magic across the hills and fields, a site etched in my mind…
I remember thinking what a special place the Ferghana Valley is - the landscape, the people, the history, the diversity, the abundance, the serenity, and the peace that had become my home over the past year. Although marked with hard times and struggles, my life there still always had a bright side to turn to, an experience etched in my heart.
Leaving the valley on Saturday, the valley showed me its best face ever. The cool spring air and brilliant sunshine opened up the skies so that I could see more of the mountain peaks than before, their layers stacked in green, blues and purples, the rolling hills in fresh sharp green against rocky snow-striped slopes topped with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. So beautiful I remember feeling as if the valley was putting on its best face to say good-bye.
Peace Corps told me today that I will not continue my assignment in Andijon, that I can be reassigned to a different location to finish out my last year of service - if I wanted to. And when safety can be assured, I will be able to return to say my farewells...to me, the valley already has.



