Thursday - I don't have class until three on Thursdays so I ran some errands before - sent some post cards and bought some art supplies for my fresco class. Then I walked to the art building for Installation art. I was very worried because if this class blew too I wouldn't know whether to drop it or ceramics on Mondays. However, it was a great class and I made some friends in that class. We only have one project and we get to use whatever wall space and materials we want. I'm pretty excited because I think I have a good idea. It doesn't connect to the theme American Dreamers but I'm sure I can b.s. it somehow.
Friday - Friday Jess and I got up early to drop classes. We attempted to run across the bridge to get my course packet for photography however, the man didn't speak any English and sent us away. I'm not sure what to do. I'm going to try to go back on Monday to get it and if not I guess I'll tell me professor my troubles with acquiring it. We also went on some other errands and Jess and Emily stopped for McDonald's on the way back to the apartment. That night we went to dinner and after Jess and Emily went out. I stayed in again. It might be a combination of the cold and the fact that I am a homebody to begin with but I just don't like going out. I can go to a bar anywhere. So lately when they go out I stay home and work on homework, read, watch tv shows and movies and talk to people back home. I hope this doesn't affect my relationship with the two but I guess we'll see. I don't want them to think I don't want to go out with them. That's not it at all. I just don't like going out in general. I never really have fun and drinking has never been my prerogative.
Saturday - We were supposed to wake up early and take the train to Pisa but it was extremely cold so instead we slept in. We wanted to do something so instead we explored Florence. We went into the Duomo and up to the top! A walk of 463 stairs both ways but it was worth it. The view was beautiful and I think being up there really conveys that you are in the Renaissance city. After we went to Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in Europe. It contains the tombs of Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli as well as boasts works by everyone from Donatello to Giotto. This is an amazing place to go even if you aren't a fan of the arts or even Christianity. However, it can be a little overwhelming when the thought that such great and influential men are buried here and others worked on the church's decoration. After we came home again and rested. Jess and Emily went out and I watched How I Met Your Mother and read my new book - Sarah's Key.
Sunday - I didn't go to bed until three so I didn't wake up until 1pm! I think I might be coming down with something. My neck is sore and I'm pretty congested. I'll be ok. Today I think we are devoting to homework and other errands. I need to get back into the swing of doing school work since I have been out of practice since last semester. I don't feel very well physically or emotionally today. I miss home a lot and I I'm not trying to isolate myself but its just natural when you are feeling down. I'm going to keep my mind off things with homework and maybe more reading.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
First Week
I haven't been very good about keeping this updated but I'm going to try to get better. This first week has definitely been a hectic one! Just in a list form here is what the break down of the days has been like: Tuesday - Flew out from Indy. We had three flights! Yikes. Indy to DC, DC to Munich and Munich to Florence where upon arrival we thought we would be taken to the school but instead we waited for an hour because there was only one shuttle. FUA didn't think ahead but that is the Italian way it seems. The flight from DC to Munich was not to bad. Jess, Em and I only got a sum total of an hour and a half to two hours of sleep but we made it through Wednesday.
Wednesday after taking a death shuttle through Florence to FUA to check in we received our keys to our apartment and headed that way. Except we ran into some trouble when we couldn't open the door. Eventually Em got it open but we waited on someone from FUA to come open it for an hour. Time is not a priority here. The apartment is freezing but besides that fact we have a living room with a table and couch, a bathroom with hot water, a kitchen with all the amenities and our bedroom. We all sleep in the same room but its nice. However, you can hear everything that happens outside and we live down the street from a bar. Joy!
Thursday we had orientation and some other activities. We also got acquainted with the city. Went on walks, found a dollar store and bought some groceries!
Friday we had our permit of stay meeting as well as a campus tour. We saw the Duomo and it felt so surreal to be by something I had studied during my art history classes. The tour ended with our meal at Ganzo. I had couscous and olive tapenade as my appetizer, tomato and Vodka soup with lime as my entree and a chocolate mouse for dessert. The culinary students cook at Ganzo as a part of their program and the menu changes every week! We have punch cards that cover meals but they are not for the whole semester so we are trying to space our Ganzo meals out. After dinner we went out for a drink with some new friends but headed back relatively early
Saturday we had a shopping tour. We met at the Duomo with other FUA students but before we began Em and I saw another familiar piece - the Gates of Paradise! Our little hearts fluttered yet again at something so familiar. The tour continued around our neighborhood which ended at the super market where Jess, Em and I got some supplies for dinner. Jess and Em ended up going out that night but I was too exhausted and slept from 7 to 8am the next morning....Sunday! It felt nice to catch up
Sunday we went to IKEA. We had to take a shuttle but it was free. However the trip ended up taking up the majority of the day. I only got a blanket. I regret not getting another pillow as the shops within the city limits are a bit pricey but I'll live. That night we cooked dinner - Pasta Primavera and got ready for classes the next day
Monday. Our first class is at 8 am Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but we wanted to be in the same Italian Class. The teacher's name is Marco and is a very nice man but teaches at a very fast pace! I think I'll be ok though. Many of the words already seem familiar and connect with English as well as French. After Italian Emily and I went shopping as we don't have class again until 3 on Mondays. My next class was ceramics...Hell on EARTH! I don't want to go into specifics because I think I'm going to drop that course anyway. I'm going to see how my last class tomorrow goes - Installation Art, before I decide. It might actually be the lesser of the evils. The studio classes are extremely expensive too. I wish I could have known before so I could have planned more. On the bright side I will learn a lot.
Tuesday. Again we had Italian and right after I went to my next class form 9 to 2:30 - classic portrait photography. I'm excited to learn how to use a film camera and on the walk to the supply store to buy film I got to see the fake David as well as the fake Rape of Persephone. I knew they weren't real because they were outside but even the replicas made my heart melt. I also got to see the three story H&M across the street! After class Em, Jess and I walked to YAIF to pay for our internet at our apartment then snuck back to H&M to get our fix. We only bought sale items though. I got a hat and a pair of earrings for 10 euro. Not bad! Then we headed back home. I laid in bed for the rest of the day getting things organized in my agenda and watching How I Met Your Mother. When Emily got back from dinner we ran to the dollar store to get chapstick and chocolate and ended the night reading and going to bed early.
Today! Wednesday February 1st, 2012. Again we had Italian and after I had Fresco painting. During class we went literally across the street to see a famous fresco - The Last Supper by Andrea Castagno. I almost cried this time. Not only because this piece is so beautiful and so important in terms of the history of art but because this seems to happen every day. I can see all the things I have studied so easily. I really am here. After class I went to Billa - the grocery store close to our apartment and the dollar store to get some ear muffs. There is a chance of snow here. I thought I had escaped the cold! The rest of the day I have nothing planned and I am very much excited about this. We might go out later but after an over due nap.
I am very happy here. It is hard at times. There have been difficult and stressful situations that I could have in no way prepared for but I am making it through. I don't think I have been this consistently happy in a long time and I am very proud of myself for coming. I never thought I could remove myself from everything I know and what is comfortable but I have and it truly has already been a rewarding experience. I am excited to see how the rest of these 15 weeks pan out.
Wednesday after taking a death shuttle through Florence to FUA to check in we received our keys to our apartment and headed that way. Except we ran into some trouble when we couldn't open the door. Eventually Em got it open but we waited on someone from FUA to come open it for an hour. Time is not a priority here. The apartment is freezing but besides that fact we have a living room with a table and couch, a bathroom with hot water, a kitchen with all the amenities and our bedroom. We all sleep in the same room but its nice. However, you can hear everything that happens outside and we live down the street from a bar. Joy!
Thursday we had orientation and some other activities. We also got acquainted with the city. Went on walks, found a dollar store and bought some groceries!
Friday we had our permit of stay meeting as well as a campus tour. We saw the Duomo and it felt so surreal to be by something I had studied during my art history classes. The tour ended with our meal at Ganzo. I had couscous and olive tapenade as my appetizer, tomato and Vodka soup with lime as my entree and a chocolate mouse for dessert. The culinary students cook at Ganzo as a part of their program and the menu changes every week! We have punch cards that cover meals but they are not for the whole semester so we are trying to space our Ganzo meals out. After dinner we went out for a drink with some new friends but headed back relatively early
Saturday we had a shopping tour. We met at the Duomo with other FUA students but before we began Em and I saw another familiar piece - the Gates of Paradise! Our little hearts fluttered yet again at something so familiar. The tour continued around our neighborhood which ended at the super market where Jess, Em and I got some supplies for dinner. Jess and Em ended up going out that night but I was too exhausted and slept from 7 to 8am the next morning....Sunday! It felt nice to catch up
Sunday we went to IKEA. We had to take a shuttle but it was free. However the trip ended up taking up the majority of the day. I only got a blanket. I regret not getting another pillow as the shops within the city limits are a bit pricey but I'll live. That night we cooked dinner - Pasta Primavera and got ready for classes the next day
Monday. Our first class is at 8 am Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but we wanted to be in the same Italian Class. The teacher's name is Marco and is a very nice man but teaches at a very fast pace! I think I'll be ok though. Many of the words already seem familiar and connect with English as well as French. After Italian Emily and I went shopping as we don't have class again until 3 on Mondays. My next class was ceramics...Hell on EARTH! I don't want to go into specifics because I think I'm going to drop that course anyway. I'm going to see how my last class tomorrow goes - Installation Art, before I decide. It might actually be the lesser of the evils. The studio classes are extremely expensive too. I wish I could have known before so I could have planned more. On the bright side I will learn a lot.
Tuesday. Again we had Italian and right after I went to my next class form 9 to 2:30 - classic portrait photography. I'm excited to learn how to use a film camera and on the walk to the supply store to buy film I got to see the fake David as well as the fake Rape of Persephone. I knew they weren't real because they were outside but even the replicas made my heart melt. I also got to see the three story H&M across the street! After class Em, Jess and I walked to YAIF to pay for our internet at our apartment then snuck back to H&M to get our fix. We only bought sale items though. I got a hat and a pair of earrings for 10 euro. Not bad! Then we headed back home. I laid in bed for the rest of the day getting things organized in my agenda and watching How I Met Your Mother. When Emily got back from dinner we ran to the dollar store to get chapstick and chocolate and ended the night reading and going to bed early.
Today! Wednesday February 1st, 2012. Again we had Italian and after I had Fresco painting. During class we went literally across the street to see a famous fresco - The Last Supper by Andrea Castagno. I almost cried this time. Not only because this piece is so beautiful and so important in terms of the history of art but because this seems to happen every day. I can see all the things I have studied so easily. I really am here. After class I went to Billa - the grocery store close to our apartment and the dollar store to get some ear muffs. There is a chance of snow here. I thought I had escaped the cold! The rest of the day I have nothing planned and I am very much excited about this. We might go out later but after an over due nap.
I am very happy here. It is hard at times. There have been difficult and stressful situations that I could have in no way prepared for but I am making it through. I don't think I have been this consistently happy in a long time and I am very proud of myself for coming. I never thought I could remove myself from everything I know and what is comfortable but I have and it truly has already been a rewarding experience. I am excited to see how the rest of these 15 weeks pan out.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Finally
The flight from Chicago only takes thirty minutes and I think we are level to the ground for only five minutes. I meet my parents at the arrival gate and its a relief just to see them. I am so exhausted. We retrieve my bag and make our way home from Indy. On the way back we talk about my trip and what I have learned and getting ready for Italy. I am so glad to be home. Three weeks until I leave again but I will worry about that later.
Ask questions, Ask Questions, ASK QUESTIONS
I get my boarding passes and go through security and customs. I finally get my first stamp on my passport since they forgot when I entered the country...? I wait at my gate and have a salad and my last Orangina since it is a pain to get in the States.
The flight to Dublin only take an hours and its beautiful to land as the sun is rising. Getting though US customs is a pain in my ass but at least I get to experience the beautiful Irish accent! We board our next flight from Dublin to Chicago. I love this plane, isle seat and touche screen tv's on the back of each seat with new releases and tv choices (Aer Lingus if you are interested in the airline) I sleep for six hours then watch a movie. Nest up Chicago. O'Harre is huge! And I am confused! They said my luggage would be transferred but I look at the carousel and its not there. I have to take a tram from terminal 5 to 1 to get my boarding pass. I guess I'll just cross my fingers my luggage in on the next plane. Thank God I can finally call my parents so they can walk me through the luggage ordeal. A world of advise, write everything and I mean everything down and ask questions. airports are no place for pride-fulness. Also if you are traveling abroad have internet access and a credit card for emergencies...or super awesome parents and a lot of patients. When it come sot living abroad go with the flow but when it comes to traveling there is no amount of neurotic-ism and preparedness that is over the top. Seriously. I get my boarding pass and go through security yet again. When I get to my gate I ask about my check bag and it IS on the plane. Another word of advise - keep all paperwork! Receipts, tickets, etc until you have all your times and are at your final destination. I board and yay another isle seat although by now it doesn't matter to me anymore. If I have to hear another plane safety speech i might scream. I think by now I could ace a pop quiz on it. I'm almost home. I just want a shower! But then it will be back to getting ready for Italy. O well, all I am focued on right now is getting home and getting my bag.
The flight to Dublin only take an hours and its beautiful to land as the sun is rising. Getting though US customs is a pain in my ass but at least I get to experience the beautiful Irish accent! We board our next flight from Dublin to Chicago. I love this plane, isle seat and touche screen tv's on the back of each seat with new releases and tv choices (Aer Lingus if you are interested in the airline) I sleep for six hours then watch a movie. Nest up Chicago. O'Harre is huge! And I am confused! They said my luggage would be transferred but I look at the carousel and its not there. I have to take a tram from terminal 5 to 1 to get my boarding pass. I guess I'll just cross my fingers my luggage in on the next plane. Thank God I can finally call my parents so they can walk me through the luggage ordeal. A world of advise, write everything and I mean everything down and ask questions. airports are no place for pride-fulness. Also if you are traveling abroad have internet access and a credit card for emergencies...or super awesome parents and a lot of patients. When it come sot living abroad go with the flow but when it comes to traveling there is no amount of neurotic-ism and preparedness that is over the top. Seriously. I get my boarding pass and go through security yet again. When I get to my gate I ask about my check bag and it IS on the plane. Another word of advise - keep all paperwork! Receipts, tickets, etc until you have all your times and are at your final destination. I board and yay another isle seat although by now it doesn't matter to me anymore. If I have to hear another plane safety speech i might scream. I think by now I could ace a pop quiz on it. I'm almost home. I just want a shower! But then it will be back to getting ready for Italy. O well, all I am focued on right now is getting home and getting my bag.
Dirty Hat on the Platform Floor
January 5th
Just when you are settled and thinking, at least it can't get any worse, it does. Because the Gare du Nord closes at 1 and don't open again until 4:30, we are forced to wait outside....in the rain. I wish I was making this up but sadly I'm not. I now know what it feels like to be homeless, curled up in a dirty corner, attempting to temporarily escape the elements. I never knew how much I could want a cardboard box. I just want to cry and maybe throw up. I don't want to say, it can't get any worse because it just might. I'll just hold my breath for the next three hours and pray we don't get robbed or arrested somehow. WE watch half a movie on Shena's laptop before it dies. Only an hour and a half left. I become terrified, thought i try to hide it, when two men (I'm assuming they were intoxicated) start throwing glass bottles in front of the Gare du Nord. Shena and I move to the doors to wait. Here another traveling lesson - learn how to turn down incessant French men. I told him, IN FRENCH, several time I didn't not speak french or understand yet he kept at it. Finally I've had enough of being sexually harassed and tell him to top and go away (again in broken french). He then preceded to, as I'm told, say very insulting things about my mother and swear in English...which just makes me giggle - gangster wannabe. Finally the train station opens and we go to wait for the metro to CDG. I have to catch the metro because of time constraints so I say goodbye to Shena on the platform. I have take a train to Terminal 1 and finally I am where I need to be... four and a half hours early. I have to wait for the airline desk to open at seven thirty to get my boarding passes. I wish i could nap t but i can't use my phone as an alarm clock so I have to stay awake. I am still praying things go smoothly. Yesterday seems like a dream. Everything is fuzzy because I still haven't slept but I don't yet feel fatigues. Still running on anxiety I think.
Just when you are settled and thinking, at least it can't get any worse, it does. Because the Gare du Nord closes at 1 and don't open again until 4:30, we are forced to wait outside....in the rain. I wish I was making this up but sadly I'm not. I now know what it feels like to be homeless, curled up in a dirty corner, attempting to temporarily escape the elements. I never knew how much I could want a cardboard box. I just want to cry and maybe throw up. I don't want to say, it can't get any worse because it just might. I'll just hold my breath for the next three hours and pray we don't get robbed or arrested somehow. WE watch half a movie on Shena's laptop before it dies. Only an hour and a half left. I become terrified, thought i try to hide it, when two men (I'm assuming they were intoxicated) start throwing glass bottles in front of the Gare du Nord. Shena and I move to the doors to wait. Here another traveling lesson - learn how to turn down incessant French men. I told him, IN FRENCH, several time I didn't not speak french or understand yet he kept at it. Finally I've had enough of being sexually harassed and tell him to top and go away (again in broken french). He then preceded to, as I'm told, say very insulting things about my mother and swear in English...which just makes me giggle - gangster wannabe. Finally the train station opens and we go to wait for the metro to CDG. I have to catch the metro because of time constraints so I say goodbye to Shena on the platform. I have take a train to Terminal 1 and finally I am where I need to be... four and a half hours early. I have to wait for the airline desk to open at seven thirty to get my boarding passes. I wish i could nap t but i can't use my phone as an alarm clock so I have to stay awake. I am still praying things go smoothly. Yesterday seems like a dream. Everything is fuzzy because I still haven't slept but I don't yet feel fatigues. Still running on anxiety I think.
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig...
January 4th
I had a bad feeling all night. I thought it was just lack of sleep and flight jitters. always trust the guyt is today's lesson.
Shena and I catch the first bus that comes to the train station. I am crossing my fingers that we can make the 6:15 but thanks to a late bus we don't make it and have to take the 6:50. This is gonna cut it close. Its odd to be on this train. I am one of the only few awake. We arrive at the Gare du Nord at eight. I am hoping the metro only takes 15 minutes but as I frantically scour the map I see there are elven stops before CDG. I start to panic. Each stop is irritating and seems to take forever. Shena tries to reassure me but I already know we have made a grave miscalculation. Forty five minutes later we spring though CDG to the American Airlines desk to find that is it too late. I start balling my eyes out. I just want to go home and now I am too late for the plane! Shen says she will fix it because all I can do is cry and shake. We email my dad form her phone hoping he can help fix this then get a train bakc to Amien to wait for his response. Half way Shena realizes we are on the wrong train so we get off and wait to buy tickets for a new train and as we are waiting the 12:30 to Amien leaves. Ow we must wait another hour!
I just want to get home. We get back to Amien and text my mom and ad to get things work doubt. I email my dad as soon as I missed my flight at three am State time. I didn't think he would get it until 8 or 9 when he was at work but apparently he got it then because when we get back Shena's aim and my mail box are flooded with worried messages. Eventually we figure out that I cannot get a refund or switch tickets so my dad has to buy a new one - $1400! Great...not to mention he is furious with me. All I can do is cry and promise to pay him back when I can. This, my laptop ad the expenses and stresses of getting ready for Italy are going to make the next three weeks just peachy. Eventually I can't take it. NO sleep, no food and the stress of it all has taken its toll. I sleep for two hours before we have to catch the last bust to the train station ans wait almost two hours for our train to Pairs. And the bathrooms are closed! We sit in the cold and play solitaire waiting. I'm starting to understand why people hate France! But I am bound and determined to make the best of everything. Even if the only good thing I can see isn't this particular instance is chalking the matter up to experience. Not particularly thrilled about being in minor debt but I'll deal with that when I need to . We board the train and arrive in Paris at 11:30. I keep my fingers crossed that the metro can take us to CDG but there seems to be a reoccurring theme of dashing my last hopes and once again this prevails. So now we must wait on the platform until the first train in the morning...five hours from now.
I really miss my car right now. Reliable and always available. On the bright side, I will be four and 1/2 hours early for my flight. I'm not quite sure what I can do for the next five hours to keep from falling asleep or freeing. This will defiantly make one hell of a funny story one day, not today thought. I have only slept two hours in the past day and a half and I'm running on 1/2 a chocolate bar and anxiety. My head feels heavy and while not a throbbing headache, I defiantly have a faint headache, maybe masked by my verve on delirium. I cannot wait to just get home. I d hope I can sleep on the flight from Dublin to Chicago. I ave a sneaking suspicion I won't though.
I had a bad feeling all night. I thought it was just lack of sleep and flight jitters. always trust the guyt is today's lesson.
Shena and I catch the first bus that comes to the train station. I am crossing my fingers that we can make the 6:15 but thanks to a late bus we don't make it and have to take the 6:50. This is gonna cut it close. Its odd to be on this train. I am one of the only few awake. We arrive at the Gare du Nord at eight. I am hoping the metro only takes 15 minutes but as I frantically scour the map I see there are elven stops before CDG. I start to panic. Each stop is irritating and seems to take forever. Shena tries to reassure me but I already know we have made a grave miscalculation. Forty five minutes later we spring though CDG to the American Airlines desk to find that is it too late. I start balling my eyes out. I just want to go home and now I am too late for the plane! Shen says she will fix it because all I can do is cry and shake. We email my dad form her phone hoping he can help fix this then get a train bakc to Amien to wait for his response. Half way Shena realizes we are on the wrong train so we get off and wait to buy tickets for a new train and as we are waiting the 12:30 to Amien leaves. Ow we must wait another hour!
I just want to get home. We get back to Amien and text my mom and ad to get things work doubt. I email my dad as soon as I missed my flight at three am State time. I didn't think he would get it until 8 or 9 when he was at work but apparently he got it then because when we get back Shena's aim and my mail box are flooded with worried messages. Eventually we figure out that I cannot get a refund or switch tickets so my dad has to buy a new one - $1400! Great...not to mention he is furious with me. All I can do is cry and promise to pay him back when I can. This, my laptop ad the expenses and stresses of getting ready for Italy are going to make the next three weeks just peachy. Eventually I can't take it. NO sleep, no food and the stress of it all has taken its toll. I sleep for two hours before we have to catch the last bust to the train station ans wait almost two hours for our train to Pairs. And the bathrooms are closed! We sit in the cold and play solitaire waiting. I'm starting to understand why people hate France! But I am bound and determined to make the best of everything. Even if the only good thing I can see isn't this particular instance is chalking the matter up to experience. Not particularly thrilled about being in minor debt but I'll deal with that when I need to . We board the train and arrive in Paris at 11:30. I keep my fingers crossed that the metro can take us to CDG but there seems to be a reoccurring theme of dashing my last hopes and once again this prevails. So now we must wait on the platform until the first train in the morning...five hours from now.
I really miss my car right now. Reliable and always available. On the bright side, I will be four and 1/2 hours early for my flight. I'm not quite sure what I can do for the next five hours to keep from falling asleep or freeing. This will defiantly make one hell of a funny story one day, not today thought. I have only slept two hours in the past day and a half and I'm running on 1/2 a chocolate bar and anxiety. My head feels heavy and while not a throbbing headache, I defiantly have a faint headache, maybe masked by my verve on delirium. I cannot wait to just get home. I d hope I can sleep on the flight from Dublin to Chicago. I ave a sneaking suspicion I won't though.
Last Day
January 3rd
I wake up at one and Shena has left for her final. Unfortunatley it lasts longer than expected and we canot make it to Paris but htis does not touble me, only gives me an excuse to come back to see the catacombs and the Louvre and hopefully get to other things we missed. When she returns we go to the Gare du Nord to buy my ticekt fo r tomorrow and grab some dinner. The rest of the night we relax and watch movies and even Skype Sarah. We don't sleep. Whats the point when I fall asleep anywhere between three and six and I have to get up at five. I appreciate this experience. It not only has given my the chance to see my best friend after almost four months apart but now I have seen Europe (well a very small part of it). I must remember that things are very different than home.
The concept of 24 hours doesn't exist here! But I have experience with ordering things in a foreign language, asking questions, cancelled flights, nerves, panicking, jet lag, a screwed up sleep schedule, buses and trains, being stared at, culture shock, travelers indigestion, going with the flow and a taste of loneliness. I know going away will be hard but I'm going to try to make the most of it....maybe I can Skype my therapist.
I wake up at one and Shena has left for her final. Unfortunatley it lasts longer than expected and we canot make it to Paris but htis does not touble me, only gives me an excuse to come back to see the catacombs and the Louvre and hopefully get to other things we missed. When she returns we go to the Gare du Nord to buy my ticekt fo r tomorrow and grab some dinner. The rest of the night we relax and watch movies and even Skype Sarah. We don't sleep. Whats the point when I fall asleep anywhere between three and six and I have to get up at five. I appreciate this experience. It not only has given my the chance to see my best friend after almost four months apart but now I have seen Europe (well a very small part of it). I must remember that things are very different than home.
The concept of 24 hours doesn't exist here! But I have experience with ordering things in a foreign language, asking questions, cancelled flights, nerves, panicking, jet lag, a screwed up sleep schedule, buses and trains, being stared at, culture shock, travelers indigestion, going with the flow and a taste of loneliness. I know going away will be hard but I'm going to try to make the most of it....maybe I can Skype my therapist.
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