And so it ends.
All across the huge site of the 24th World Jamboree, tents are being taken down, bags packed, and tearful goodbyes given.
Every great adventure must come to an end, and that is the point we have reached. The time moments become memories, talking and laughter becomes texts and FaceTimes, and the bustling site becomes quiet once more.
Today was the day that everyone tried to pack in every single thing they hadn’t done yet, resulting in a rush of people running around the site, trading, trying every activity they’d missed, and saying goodbye to every new friend they’d made.
I tried the Gateway Zip since I’m not heavy enough to try the Big Zip. It was great, and I’m glad I got to try at least one zipline before I left.
Other then that, I mostly spent my day packing my stuff and just hanging out. My unit stacked three cots up to make bunk beds, another unit I saw had them set up for trading tables, and all around the camp people were creatively reusing their gear. It was also very rainy yesterday, resulting in muddy hills. The side effect of that is loooots of wipeouts. I’ve witnessed a fair amount of people falling down hills, as well as falling down myself yesterday. Some people have also tried to bring wagons full of gear down them, which always ends with amusing results.
Well, amusing for me. Probably less so for them.
I also went to wish my friends from unit 43, England, goodbye. I’m glad I still get to see them back in Canada for Hosted Hospitality, which is an awesome program where scouts from England are coming to Canada to tour for a few days, and Canadian scouts are hosting them.
I did have to say a few goodbyes to international friends though, and it makes me sad to think that I may never see them again. Although I am very lucky that I live in the 21st century, when they are only a phone call or text message away. Within our unit too, we had scouts from across Canada, and tears fell as we all hugged goodbye today. Living with a group of people for two weeks is an entirely different experience then any other friendship. You see them at their best, their worst, and everything in between. You go from strangers to family in a few days, and saying goodbye is the most difficult thing you can imagine.
The closing show was full of bittersweet energy, people excited to go home, and sad to leave. The show got everyone stoked again though with a series of amazing performances. They had Pantatonic, an acapella band, followed up by dancing, followed up by a fireworks and laser show. Everyone’s Novuses lit up, turning the stadium into a starry night sky as everyone danced and waved their hands.
So now it’s the end of the 24th world jamboree. I don’t think anything could ever top this experience, and I leave this site with more amazing memories then I could’ve hoped for. It’s still hard to believe it’s over, and I hope to see everyone again in Korea as an IST.
And so, it ends.
The sun has set, and the moon has risen over the last night of the jamboree. Buses are being boarded, and people are leaving this wondrous place with a more glorious experience then any of us could be imagined.
Exit, stage right.
-Callista
