Home #...?

I am sitting in the new "flat" I am likely paying way too many Euros for. BUT, I have laundry hanging on the balcony outside my room, good company and an unpacked bag. It is right next to the conjunction of two rivers, and walking there last night and this morning I felt comforted. It reminds me of the Portland Esplanade and all the important moments I've had there. Like there, people walk their dogs, ride bikes, fall in love, families unwind after a work day, old couples stroll out their last years.

Having met with the mighty women of ATC (Anti-Trafficking Centar), it makes most sense for me to stay in Belgrade to be part of the momentum leading up to bringing the VMs to Novi Sad for the first time. I'm going to be a participant-observor, and help out as well as document. In November I'll take two week-ish to go to Bosnia and Croatia and do interviews with some vagina warriors who have collaborated in the past to creatively spread a "V-Triangle" across the former Yugoslavia.

They are so inspiring- Don't look much older than me, but founded the NGO five years ago and tackle multiple and interesecting issues with bravery and brilliance. It was humbling to hear the constraints that they face, as they talked about how being an activist for touchy subjects is to daily risk your life. Talking honestly over blackberry beer, I felt myself surrounded by a kind of energy and solidarity. They remind me of Dawn and I. It was a relief talking about how to remain individually and communally sustained, and the grassroots movement's predispopsition to burnout. I feel so green. Driving last night through beurocratic red tape, my roomie pointed out, "and there's the Chinese Embassy that you 'accidentally' bombed".

I could go on for ages, but will leave it there, because I have to write my Quarterly Report. It seems impossible three months have passed. True, my hair is awkwardly longer. The seasons are changing. But it fills me afresh with a desperate desire to make this count. Knowing I will be back the 24th for Courty's wedding is strange; it makes me feel old to be going to my freshman year roomate's wedding. And at the same time, it gives me a reason to go back. It is something I can picture- a dress, reuniting with college friends, dancing with Angie, Megan making some hilarious toast- these are things I can picture, whereas two months from now I draw a blank.