Final Day, Final Thoughts

I'd like to say something profound. To recount a last day doing something grand and extraordinary. However, to be either profound or extraordinary would not be true to myself and my way of celebrating. I have changed, but the joy and beauty I relish remains in the simple everyday mundane activities of my life here in Perpignan.

I spent a lovely day with Yann, Marie and Katelyn...savouring the waves crashing into the beach. Chasing after the waves, jumping over the waves and running away from the waves in the hopes of preventing getting soaked (I was unsuccessful). Anyone watching us in that moment would never have believed I am 22 years old; moreover, anyone watching us generally would have thought us insane to be on the beach in the rather cool and windy weather this morning. Nevertheless, we braved these conditions, bringing my trip full circle - my first adventure here was to Coilloure and the beach house in Canet and seeing the Mediterranian, my last adventure out, was to Canet to see the Mediterranian. The south, a place where the sea is central.

This afternoon, I watched "Auberge Espagnol" and then later tonight I watched "P & P". Again, nothing spectacular but so much laughter and joy shared through the mocking, the teasing, the discussing and the eating of ice cream.

C'était la vraie convivalité! It was a last day spent at my home, that is my French home. C'était simple et génial.

A pardoxial, but charming ending to an experience that was anything but simple and small, but I like how these opposites all come together in the unfolding of my dream. And although I am leaving Europe now, it has forever left its footprints upon me and mine upon it - gotta love those European footprints!

2 days until the closing of this adventure...

So, as this little European getaway comes to an end I think it is time to do a little tally of all the things that have happened...a summary to look at the good, the bad, and the down right bizzare.

Visited many cities and countries including: London, Glasgow, Sterling, Edinburgh, Loire Valley, Paris, Prague, Budapest, Venice, Rome, Capri, Positano, Barcelona.
Little towns too: Coilloure, Font-Romeau, Villefranche

McDonalds meals: too many times to count...we have definitely increased the value of the stocks held by the shareholders in this enterprises.

Chocolate: again way too many times consumed to remember

Rides in cars with people I normally would never take a ride with: 2

Weeks of classes: an all time high of 11

Number of classes missed: 3

Number of exams written: 6

Encounters with guys that I never want to repeat: 4

Guys seen in kilts: if i remember correctly, about 10

Care packages received: 3

Letters/cards received: 5

Shopping: too many times, too much money spent...but I love everything I bought so its ok!

Crepes: too many to count

Glasses of milk: 0

Nutella gone through: probably 10

Pictures taken: I would estimate over 1000

Stairs climbed up: probably a good 2000

Arguments (more like vivid and lively discussions) with my host family's friends: 4

And that is about it that I can think of for now...one more post to come. Farewell fiesta tonight!!