As it turns out, Abeja and the visitors had read my story, but they weren't angry. They liked my article. They told me that they traveled the world and wrote stories for a web site to educate kids. I was stunned. "No way! I want your job!" I told them. That is how I learned about the Odyssey.

To the Ocean

I was jealous of their world travels. When I got an email saying that that a US Trek was forming, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. Now the trek is over, and I am very thankful for the journey I've had.

I don't know yet how the Odyssey experience has changed my life. While I was trekking, I didn't have time to think about it. I was just worried about finding a place to sleep and getting my articles in on time. As I write this, I'm thinking, "What a long, strange, amazing trip it's been."

I've been challenged in so many new ways. I learned how to drive a stick-shift car, how to camp, and how to bowl a strike. I went hiking and rattlesnake hunting. I canoed the Missouri River and ate gumbo. Since I spent many long hours in the car, I learned to like many different kinds of music. I met students across the country who showed me young people are very cool.

Most of all, I got to spend the last nine months with nine awesome teammates. They proved to me that it's possible to change the world one person at a time. I learned so much from each of them. Our founder, Jeff Golden, is an amazing person that I wish everyone could meet.

Some of the dispatches I wrote are especially memorable. I remember crying as I listened to a reverend who saw Martin Luther King die. I met a bunch of Quakers with a conscience. I also met many wonderful activists, teachers and kind people who let us into their homes.

A lot of the things I have written about are bad parts of our country's history. Frederick Douglass said, "He is a true patriot who does not excuse the sins of his country." That means that in order to be a good citizen (a member of your country), you have to make sure that your country is a good and fair place to live. On the Trek, I met many people who work very hard. There are also many people have died fighting to make our country better. Because of those people, you and I have a lot of opportunities. I hope that like me, you want to work to make our country and the world a better place.

Irene

Please email me at: irene@ustrek.org