Yes, it's finally here. The day when I will return to good old California. I'm sitting in the airport and I have this deep dread sort of feeling in the pit of my stomach. I can't believe it's actually over. The last few days were a mixture of goodbyes and partying. Our last week looked something like this:
-Thursday: Went to Billabonn for the last time, which is a bar in Alstadt. Drank a wonderful German beer, hung out with good friends, and took lots of pictures for a few hours. Then went to N8schict by myself cause the rest of the group wanted to go to Carpe Noctem where it was "rock/alternative night" ... it was ladies night at N8 and also "top 40 bullshit night." Got slizzard, had a great time dancing, made it home at 5:30 am. I'll miss you, N8!
-Friday: all day group excursion. Cruise down the Rhine looking at beautiful castles, getting lunch in a small little village, tour of Marksburg Castle which is absolutely beautiful! After that, went to a winery where we got a tour of the "museum." I was eating an orange in the corner because I was absolutely STARVING and one of the girls in the group, Bree, asks our tour guide, "What's that orange smell?" He proceeded to give a completely logical explanation, while the rest of the group laughed because they saw my orange. Then did some wine tasting and had dinner. After, went to Sam's house to have a little kickback and made it home on the early side. SLEPT for once!
-Saturday: BBQ day! Had a wonderful afternoon barbeque at Eric's house. His parents came to visit and enjoyed beers with us and watched us get pretty tipsy. We made our own salsa and had an amazing lunch consisting of bratwurst and appetizers. Of course, I had my bottle of wine... is anyone surprised? Saturday night we went out to Cologne for a Laidback Luke concert. The night is a bit of a blur, but apparently I took lots of pictures so it's all documented. I never thought I could dance to techno all night, but everyone said I was really happy and having a good time. I was told that I "got thrown around like a rag doll" and "was pinballed between 6 guys." Hm. My neck was sore the next day.
-Sunday: Farewell BBQ at the AIB with all the students and our host families. First, we saw a play by the theater students and I may or may not have sipped a little screwdriver before. The farewell BBQ was fun, but sad at the same time. Best part was when we played a slideshow of all the best pictures from the trip and a picture of me peeing in a urinal at Karneval made the cut. Um... sweet. That night we had a final hoorah with all our friends. Got a few cases of beer and went to Sam's again for a cozy kickback. Did a round of "you know you've studied abroad when..." and talked the whole night with blankets around us, sitting in a circle. I just felt so content and happy to have the company of the people I spent the last 4 months with.
-Monday: did some souvenir shopping and said some very hard goodbyes. There were definitely tears involved. Then I went with my German friend Nicole around the city, took pictures, worked out for one last time at McFit, and did some more souvenir shopping after. We went to Haribo (the German candy/gummy bear store) and got some beer glasses for 75 cents each. Best souvenir ever! I said a hard goodbye to her and then had a last dinner with my host family. 7 pm rolled around and I had yet to pack, but I finished for the most part within a few hours. Didn't sleep very much because I wanted to soak up every last minute in Germany that I could.
Today: said the hardest goodbyes to my family. My host mom drove me to the airport, hugged me tightly, and told me I always have a home in Germany. I love this place and I am so sad to leave. I am very excited to see my friends and family at home, but I'm preparing for reverse culture shock. I just know I'm going to want to be back here after a week of being home. But for now, I won't worry about it because I know I will come back. I have to. There is no other way.
So with that, I will say my final tschüss to Deutschland and put a smile on my face. Cause I'm going going, back back, to Cali Cali, woo woo WOO!
More pics coming soon, but for now I gotta catch my plane!
Später! (later in German)
