Day 196: Not Ready for Home

Today I take the journey back home.  This is a very sad day.  I have never felt such a connection with the people and places I have been.  I feel as though I am saying goodbye to my new home and family.  This trip has been more than I could have ever imagined.  I knew that it was going to be awesome, but I never expected it to be this life changing.  I am actually writing this a little over a week later and I'm worried that I will lose this version of myself.  I have never been so free and happy to just take life in.  My lesson from this adventure is to let life happen.  I am such a planner and it is okay to not have it all figured out.  I feel like I can achieve any dream right now and I hope this feeling lasts forever.  I'm worried that reality will creep in and ruin this freedom.  I have to work to make this my reality, that this is who I am now.  It breaks my heart to imagine going back to the restricted me.  I guess the only thing I can ask right now is: what's next?

Day 84: Desitination Provence

The trip from DC to Paris was long.  United Airlines has very little room and there was no place to put my bag but at my feet, so it was a pretty immobile journey.  We left the airport over 50 minutes late because of computer issues and technical difficulties.  This caused us to miss our train to Provence.  Because of this, we had to pay 108 Euros for a new ticket.  At first I was upset, but once I got off the plane and a lady said bon jour to me, I figured I couldn't be too angry because at least I was in France.  I knew I was in France when I saw the ladies underwear on the ground.

The train ride was scenic.  We arrived at the station and picked up our rental.  We checked the car from bumper to bumper to look for scratches and dings.  It was a little nerve-wracking in the beginning because we pulled forward and realized we were going into a dead end.  It was at this moment that my Aunt Becky tried to reverse, but was unable.  The manual car was different than what she'd driven before.  After jolting forward a few times, she found the way to reverse and we backed out safely.  I was a bit anxious about renting a car, and I am so glad that Becky took on the huge responsibility of chauffeur.  She nailed it.

As we got close to the apartment, we dropped off Lori and Christy while Becky and I searched for parking.  It was crazy.  The roads were sooooooo narrow and people were becoming very impatient as they reved their tires and honked at us.  We parked on the outside of the wall, but at least it was safe and free.

It was a tiring walk to the apartment with our luggage, but reaching the apartment provided a sense of accomplishment.  It was absolutely beautiful.  There was a courtyard with a tree, a wonderful kitchen with updated appliances, wood beams, soothing shower, plenty of space, and a guest house beyond the courtyard where I stayed.  Linda stayed with me the first two nights, but it was not working out so well, so I stayed there by myself.  The bed was very comfortable and the comforter kept me warm in the chilly night.

We grabbed dinner at a cafe by Les Halles.  I ordered a salad and lasgne.  I needed something warm and filling because I was starving.  Janey and Linda ordered some beautiful salads.  All in all, it was a long day, but as we toasted with our drinks, it felt good to be in Provence.

Day 83: Impaitiently Waiting

I did not sleep well last night.  I woke up around one and didn't fall back asleep till about three.  It might have had something to do with my trip.

Work was sooooo long.  I thought that it might be nice to not have to teach and just guide my station, but it made the time go by so slow.  It was warm, the kids were grouchy, and I was just ready to go.

Finally the end of the day approached and it was time to go to O'Hare.  The weather was not very good and I was nervous about catching my flight in DC.  Fortunately it all worked out.  Today's picture shows the scene outside my window.