Due to my lack of sleep and the general hassles of having to set up life out of a suitcase here, I haven't had all that much of a chance to explore yet. I arrived in the late afternoon and by the time I took a quick nap, called home, and did some basic grocery shopping, it was nearly 8 pm. From what I can tell, though, the place is beautiful. The sun was shining today and the water is incredibly blue. From the airport to my hotel, the taxi drove right between the coast and the city center, so I was surrounded both by ports full of boats and seagulls and palm trees, as well as towering Gothic city architecture and open-air cafes. I must say, there are a lot of aspects of this place that remind me of where I lived in France. However, the language isn't one of them. I've been pretty good at understanding what people are speaking to me, but I still can't produce much of it. I really hope that changes soon, but I think this is going to be a great opportunity to experience what it's really like to be an "outsider" or a "foreigner" who doesn't know the native language. And, after all, isn't that exactly what I'm here to study?
I'll update again soon, and hopefully include pictures next time, but for now I just wanted to say hola from the other side :)
Meanwhile, here is a post I wrote in the airport in Germany during my layover but didn't get the chance to publish before I boarded the plane:
Well, I had hoped to post an update one last time before I left America, but maybe this is better. I'm currently in Germany, waiting for my connecting flight, which arrives in two hours. So it's certainly as good a time as any to write a blog entry. I should put out a disclaimer, though, that I am severely sleep-deprived so if nothing I'm writing makes any sense or if I seem overly emotional....sorry in advance.
So far, here's what I've been feeling regarding this trip:
#1) LoVEd.
Over the past few days, I have been overwhelmed by all of the well-wishes, hugs, notes, emails, phone calls, messages, and even gifts, that I have received from family, friends, and co-workers to celebrate my trip and to bid me a temporary adios/au revoir/adieu. It all means so much to me and does not go unnoticed! I can't even express how touching it has been to be reminded of how special each of you is to me, and how I will miss all of you over the next month or so, even if it's just for a short while. And if I didn't get the chance to respond to anything you've sent to me, be assured that it doesn't mean I haven't read/listened to it!
#2) Blessed.
For a million reasons and in a million ways, I’ve just been thinking about how grateful I am to have an opportunity like this one.
#3) About Three Years Younger.
As I sit here in the Frankfurt Airport, my first experience on European soil in what feels like a very long time, I can’t believe how fast the memories come rushing back. I’ve never been to Germany before, but there are plenty of things about this airport that I think must be universally European: the kind of chocolate they sell, the smell of the mini airport cafes and cups of coffee, the minimalist design, the smell of the cigarette smoke leaking out of the “smoking zones,” the way the automatic doors open, and a million other little things. And it makes me feel a little bit like I’m back in France all over again. But in an indescribable way, it feels like I’m picking up where I left off, back in 2009.
#4) Tired... Wouldn't traveling be great if it weren't for the lack of sleep, jetlag, time changes, and airplane food served at non-specific and usually inconvenient times? I think so.
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