My two weeks away were fantastic. Unfortunately I don't have preview pictures to upload to this blog entry. My MacBook decides to cop an attitude with me and barely function when I open iPhoto (frustrating). But I can't wait to share my pictures and experiences of each city once I get all 500 of the photos sorted out.
My favorite city? Vienna.
The hottest city? Berlin.
The coldest city? Madrid. (and Paris)
Two of the cities I did all by myself (Vienna and Paris) - I feel such a sense of accomplishment. I was very nervous before I left, but my solo travels went overall very smoothly. Towards the end I did feel pretty lonely and was more than ready to be with someone I knew, however, when I made my return to Dublin, a feeling of comfort came over me. While I was still alone, I felt completely at home.
My bed was still nice and cozy. My things were just as I'd left them. My walk home from the bus stop felt completely normal. The city looked the same as well - plus the trees along the river had bloomed.
I took one final walk around the city today and kept thinking of my feelings now compared to my feelings when I first arrived. Nervous and calm. Unsure and confident. I feel like I have come such a long ways, and while I am more than ready to see my friends, I have never had such a big goal and chapter in my life come to an end. It is a very strange, bittersweet feeling.
This very exciting picture is of my desk area (obviously). I took it because of this: When I first arrived into my empty room in January, it felt lonely. I tried plugging my computer into the ethernet chord immediately to let my parents and friends know I'd arrived. BUT it didn't work because my computer hadn't been registered with the school yet. Suddenly a sense of panic was coming over me. How will they know I'm here?! I can't talk to anyone I know right away?! What am I going to do?! After about two minutes of this I practically had to slap myself across the face. "GET A GRIP! You're in Europe. You'll talk to them when you talk to them. Now put some music on, unpack your things, and take a nap." I swear this is the exact conversation I had with myself. And it is exactly what I did.
Now, looking around at my empty and packed up room, it doesn't feel lonely at all. It feels like home. It feels strange to be leaving it, knowing I won't be back to this exact spot. But it feels great knowing how far I have come throughout these past four months. While I obviously still have my moments, I feel confident, independent, and accomplished. This semester has been the time of my life! I am so grateful for all of the people I met and places I got to see and experience. There are many things I am going to miss about European life, but I am incredibly happy that I am heading home having learned so much.
Farewell, Dublin. I will see you again someday.
Talk to you all when I am stateside... :)
(and keep looking back for posts about Madrid, Berlin, Vienna, and Paris, of course)
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