My journey back here was long and exhausting in more ways than one. It began at 6 a.m. in Angers when I said goodbye to my host family, got on a bus, and immediately began to cry. I knew that I would be sad to leave France, and I knew that I would be sad to leave my host family. I did not quite expect to cry for the entire four hour bus ride to the Paris airport, but I guess it was really just a testament to how great of a semester I had in France. My host family was unexpectedly the most perfect and amazing family that I could ask for in so many ways, and it's hard to say goodbye to close friends who I have lived with for four months without having any idea when we will meet again.
Once I made it to the airport and composed myself, I boarded a GIANT airplane only to come down with a severe case of motion sickness. I'll leave out the details of that miserable eight hour flight, and the two more to follow before I made it home to Cleveland, but it was surreal to finally be back home in my house and seeing my family and speaking ENGLISH!
This semester was a dream come true. It was time to come home, but I was sad to see it end.
I could write about all that I have learned this semester (which transcends the French language, although my French has improved a ton), or I could write about why I miss France. Instead, I'll tell you about my last day in Angers because I think it was a pretty perfect ending.
I began the day with my last final exam, and then I left my school for the last time.
I went with my friends Laure and Justine to our favorite Salon du Thé, "Le Dos de la Cuillère," which is just about the cutest place ever with homemade desserts and the woman who owns and works there always remembers us and which drinks we like to order. The desserts there change daily, but she saved the best for our last day - chocolate raspberry tart.
I went and sat with a few friends in the little gazebo in the Jardin du Mail, a park in Angers where we often hung out or had picnics.
Then we walked across the river to sit and take in my favorite view of Angers. You can see the castle and the cathedral and the river, and on a sunny afternoon there's nothing better.
I made my way to Louvigny, the best chocolatier in all of Angers, with whom my friend Katrina has formed a close friendship thanks to her macaroon addiction. I bought some French macaroons and chocolate to bring home.
Eventually I walked home to my French home for the last time, where I finished packing, then hung out with my host family. We watched some TV, made homemade ice cream, played badminton, then enjoyed dinner in the garden.
My life's chapter in Angers is over now, but the places I saw, the things I learned, and most importantly the people I met will forever remain important to me.
I don't like goodbyes. So instead, I will say, à bientôt !
