And We're off!
Within five hours I will be on a plane, headed towards the bright gleam of next semester... France, french, fresh bread, more meat than I can fathom, a taste of germany, a new experience, classes, internship(?), being apart and coming together, trekking europe, couchsurfing, and making connections I'll remember for a life time, even if it's only a fleeting moment of conversation on the subway.
It's been an interesting ride, preparing for this trip. I feel like I've been immersed in this preparatory practical mindset and it still hasn't quite hit me that I'm leaving in about an hour for the airport, that the two suitcases (yes, my hypothetical luggage expanded when put to practice) and one backpack I'll have with me are going to keep me for the next six months... that I'm about to be immersed in a language I *promised* myself I would practice this break (perhaps I've muttered a few "bonjour!"s at most)... that it's really happening.
Once I get there, I'm sure things will begin to sink in. As it is, I'm thinking only as far as the looong plane ride, for which I will bring a Alice Walker's The Color Purple, another small little book on fostering hope in our political, social, and personal world, and a fully-charged iPod with 10.5 hours of Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, read expertly by his funny and accented self (as well as a good 18 GB of music, if i eventually get sick of prose...). I figured I've got all my bases covered, and enough to keep me going for a good long while. And then of course there's sleep. And that I'm sure to do a lot of, as it seems inevitable that my circuitry turns itself off once I settle in to any sort of moving vehicle (can you imagine how scared i was to learn to drive? I was afraid the default system would kick in and I'd simply doze off in the thick of it!).
Now to stuff the last of my stuff (i.e. this computer) into my already bulging backpack, catch a bite of eggs, and wander, bleary-eyed, into the start of a crazy semester...
Bon Voyage, mes amis! Next stop: la France!
It's been an interesting ride, preparing for this trip. I feel like I've been immersed in this preparatory practical mindset and it still hasn't quite hit me that I'm leaving in about an hour for the airport, that the two suitcases (yes, my hypothetical luggage expanded when put to practice) and one backpack I'll have with me are going to keep me for the next six months... that I'm about to be immersed in a language I *promised* myself I would practice this break (perhaps I've muttered a few "bonjour!"s at most)... that it's really happening.
Once I get there, I'm sure things will begin to sink in. As it is, I'm thinking only as far as the looong plane ride, for which I will bring a Alice Walker's The Color Purple, another small little book on fostering hope in our political, social, and personal world, and a fully-charged iPod with 10.5 hours of Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, read expertly by his funny and accented self (as well as a good 18 GB of music, if i eventually get sick of prose...). I figured I've got all my bases covered, and enough to keep me going for a good long while. And then of course there's sleep. And that I'm sure to do a lot of, as it seems inevitable that my circuitry turns itself off once I settle in to any sort of moving vehicle (can you imagine how scared i was to learn to drive? I was afraid the default system would kick in and I'd simply doze off in the thick of it!).
Now to stuff the last of my stuff (i.e. this computer) into my already bulging backpack, catch a bite of eggs, and wander, bleary-eyed, into the start of a crazy semester...
Bon Voyage, mes amis! Next stop: la France!
posted by Melia at 5:50 AM
3 Comments:
As I read your latest blog, you must be half-way across the Atlantic, hopefully sleeping soundly. What a wonderful adventure you are embarking on! Papa and I will enjoy your explorations and discoveries through your eyes and heart, and look forward to regular updates on your traipsings.
Much love,
Maman
you should come chill with me down under, yo!
france is tooo cold!
oy!!!
love you!
have so much fun!
live it!
-heather
Hey Melia,
Have an AMAZING time in France. I am so jealous of getting to go off and explore all these new places. You must keep writing and share all your crazy adventures with us.
Love,
Urs
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