she's home

Just to let you know: after precisely five days, ONE shower, NO teeth-brushing, mudbathing, bunk-bedding and other adventures we shall learn about tomorrow... she's safe and sound. It was quite the reunion at the school tonight in the dark: they were two hours late and we all huddled around on the pavement exchanging "how hard was it for you to have her away" stories, and then the coach pulled up and we all cheered, and they piled out, sunburned, filthy, full of chatter and exhaustion. "I can really speak some French now! I feel like saying "bonjour" to everyone!" Home. Home! We're all here tonight. What a joy.