The End: Days 97- 107

I guess this is my last blog. It's my last blog for this experience anyways. And what an experience it was. I can't believe it's over. I can't believe three and a half months flew by the way they did. I have such a weird feeling about everything now. It's almost like it never happened... like it was a dream. I'm back? Already? Boo.

Most of the last ten days, I spent with my family. I'm so glad they came over. Yes, we had some interesting times... but overall, I think it went wonderfully.

I spent Friday with my friends. I woke up to a beautiful snowy day. The ground was completely white so Cathrin, Sam, and I went outside and built snowmen. It was so much fun :) Then I said goodbye to Cathrin (she was leaving to go to London that afternoon) and went back home.

Around 2, I went into town with Amy and Demi. We Christmas shopped and ran a few errands. Afterwards we got some dinner and headed back. When I got back, I packed up for my parents' arrival and headed back over to Amy's to say goodbye. Only Amy, Karina, and Sarah were there. We hugged and said we'd see each other soon :) I went home and Sam came over. We watched movies and hung out 'til really late then I had another sad goodbye and went to bed.

I woke up at 5:00AM the next day, ice-skated into town with my suitcase, and took a bus into London. I met my family at Heathrow around 11:00 and we made our way back into the city. We got settled in to our beautiful hotel (Linda and I had a kick-ass suite!!!) then went out for some lunch. Afterwards we walked to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye area. And of course everyone whined a great amount because of the cold. Wimps.

Then Dad and I went on the London Eye while Mom and Linda waited for us. Then we cabbed it back to the hotel and took a nap. Afterwards Linda, Mom, and I woke up and went down to Oxford Street, shopped in the wonderful Christmas market down there, and grabbed some dinner at Garfunkels. Then we went back, Linda got sick, and threw up until 5 in the morning. Lovely.

The next morning, Dad and I went to Wimbledon (Mom and Linda stayed at the hotel). We had a nice tour of the grounds and strolled around the museum for a while. He really, really enjoyed it. Unfortunately it took up most of the day though and by the time we got back, it was already almost 4.

Then Mom and Dad took a taxi to the Tower of London, while Linda and I stayed at the hotel. They got there too late though and missed the last entry. Boo. When they got home, Dad and I went out to Trafalgar Square and ate dinner at the Texas Embassy. Then we walked to Piccadilly Circus and headed back.

Then Mom and I went out to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. It was so much fun! They had rides, live music, Christmas stands, Carnival Games... everything. We had some mulled wine and hot pretzels and walked around for a bit. It really got us in the Christmas spirit! Then we took the metro back to Piccadilly Circus and walked to Leister Square. That's such a fun area at night :) Then we made our way back to the hotel and passed out.

Monday was a day full of travelling. We took a taxi to Heathrow, rented a car (which took FOREVER), experienced an absolutely terrifying ride to Dover, took the ferry to France, then had another near-death experience with a ride to Bayeux. JK Dad :) We didn't get there 'til late, and once we did, we just grabbed pizza and went to bed.

Tuesday we took an amazing tour of all the D-Day spots. We went to all of the beaches where the American Navy invaded, the German and American Cemeteries, and a few of the towns that were first to regain their freedom after the American invasion. My grandpas would've loved it!

My highlights: the town where an American parachuter had fallen right on the steeple of the Cathedral, survived, got shot, survived AGAIN and played dead, got captured and was held captive by German soldiers, survived once more, and was finally released. Great story, eh? Another highlight was when Linda and I folded the American flag in the US cemetery as the sun was setting. Right after they played taps. It was really, very moving.

That night we got dinner at a fabulous French restaurant. Everyone agreed: it was some of the best food we'd had in our lives!

Wednesday, we went to Mount Saint Michal, an absolutely breath-taking castle on the coast of the English Channel. Words cannot begin to describe the beauty of this place, so I won't even attempt to portray it. Google Image Mount Saint-Michal and you'll understand.

So we climbed to the top and looked around, and went into a few of the shops on the way down.

Then we drove to Paris. Not a fun drive, let me tell you. But we finally made it there around 6, dropped off our junk at the hotel, and went down to the Eiffel Tower. Dad and I went to the top level and Linda and Mom went to the middle level. Everyone liked it except for Mom. You know how crazy that woman is, with her panic attacks and everything :)

Afterwards we got dinner at a pretty nice restaurant then headed back to the hotel.

Thursday, we went to the Palace of Versailles. I was happy to see how much Linda liked it there. It really is a cool place.

Then we went back to the hotel and drove to our villa by Paris Disneyland. Once we got settled in, we went to the grocery store, stocked up on great food, and headed back to relax for a bit.

That night, Mom, Linda, and I took a train into Paris and caught the end of the Christmas Eve Mass at the Notre Dame. Wow :)

Friday was Christmas! We woke up, and Linda and I went to Disneyland. Mom and Dad went to the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacre Couer, and the Cemetery where Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried. Linda and I had a great time at the Magic Kingdom. Disney really is a magical place at Christmas :)

Our highlights were Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. We got along really well and had a wonderful time! Afterwards we walked through the Disney Village and had some confusion with meeting Mom and Dad, but they finally picked us up around 8. We headed home, exchanged a few Christmas presents :) ate an interesting dinner, and skyped with family from Charlotte and family from Wisconsin. I really did have a superb Christmas.

Saturday we left really early. We drove to Calais, took the ferry, then drove to Canterbury. We got to my campus, dropped off my junk, then headed to the House of Agnes. We had an interesting time parking, considering the alley-way to the lot was meant for horse and carriages :) But we managed. Kind of. Then we walked around the city for a while, got lunch at Tacos Locos, and shopped.

That night we ate at the Old Buttermarket, one of my favorite restaurants in town. We got completely stuffed with some good English food and cider, then Linda and I took a taxi up to my house and hit the sack.

Sunday, Linda and I walked into town, went to a morning mass at the Cathedral with Mom, shopped a bit more, and went back up to my house to pack. Then they left for the Airport hotel around 3. I'm so glad they got to see Canterbury :) I think they really understand why I love it so much now.

After they left, I went back into town, got some dinner, took one last walk around, and took a bus back to campus. Ollie came over around 8 and we hung out and watched movies for a while. Then I said my last goodbye and went to bed :(

Monday, I woke up, dropped off my keys, walked to Keynes bus stop, took a bus to town, took a bus to London, took a bus to Heathrow, went through the ridiculous, newly-enforced airport security, took an eight and a half hour flight to Minneapolis, went through customs, took another two and a half hour flight to Charlotte, got my bags, waited for my parents, and finally drove to Aunt Linda's. Geez, whatta day. I socialized with the family for a bit and finally went to bed around 1 Eastern time... aka 6AM English time. Almost a 24-hour travel day!

And that's the end. I sit here now, back in Columbia, feeling very confused. It's so bittersweet to be home. I love seeing my family again. I love things familiar. But I want to go back. And a big part of me feels like I'm going back in a few days. But I'm not. I guess it'll take a while to adjust.

Anyways, I'm going to try not to dwell on my depression and this reverse culture-shock. Instead, I'm going to do my best to focus on the positive. I'm so incredibly lucky to have experienced my last three and a half months. I've said this before, and I'll say it again: they were by far, the best months of my life. I've gained such a wonderful perspective and I feel as if I've really grown as a person. Thank you Mom and Dad for making my trip possible. I'm so grateful and I'm really glad you came to Europe :)

So anywayyyys, I'm not saying goodbye to Europe or more specifically Canterbury. I'm not saying goodbye to the wonderful friend I've made over the last few months. I'm not even saying goodbye to this silly blog. Instead I'm saying "See you soon", cause I truly believe that I'll be back. It might take a few years, but I'm going back regardless. Corny, I know. But maybe that's the mindset I'll need to re-adjust to my old lifestyle :)
So, see you soon.