AZ6.

This month, my Peace Corps group, AZ6, had our COS (Close of Service) Conference. This is the final event of Peace Corps service until the days we leave. We returned to the place where we started, the Aquapark. I remember the first night after we all eventually settled in to our buses on the way to the Aquapark. It was late, we were new, and all I saw was a dark nothing outside the window with brief glimpses of fire and oil rigs. Actually being back at Aquapark didn't hit a sentimental nerve, but being back with the people I started this whole stint with was nice.

My group is a truly special one. Of course, I'm bias, but I do believe, overall, we fit well together. I think we have all have a decent respect for each other and appreciate each individual's need. We enjoyed our time together, but we also knew how to do our own thing. We've come quite a distance from where we started and we've probably all changed to some extent - some more, some less. No matter what has transpired the past 2 years, this group has been my group and when I think about my service, I will think of these people.

I've probably said goodbye to a lot of my group without completely knowing it. We all leave at different times beginning early November. But, for the ones I haven't and won't, it will be quite neat to remeet them outside of Peace Corps.