It was weird coming home, I didn't realize how much I had missed it until I pulled up into my drive way, went into my house and laid down on my bed in my own room. To be honest, I had been dreading going home for the past 3 weeks because coming home would mean leaving Greece and the life and all the friends I had made in the past 4 months. I realized just how short 16 weeks were and how close we had all become amidst being in a foreign country, traveling, living together and growing together. Some of the friends I made this past semester are some of the closest people I know now. It was just so heartbreaking seeing all of that come to an end. Being back at home now, it almost feels as if Greece never happened. We're not all living in apartments a few blocks away from eachother. I don't just walk over when I'm bored or go to the fruit market on Tuesdays and Fridays. No more traveling on the weekends or going out to Psyrri. No more bakerys or gyro stands. Leaving Greece and saying bye to everyone was one of the hardest things I've had to do I think. Looking back now, I have no idea what I was so scared about about going abroad. It opened my eyes to so many things and gave me an experience I wouldn't trade for anything.
I've been back at home for about 3 weeks now, and it's still hard to think about Greece and the memories because it makes me smile and yet sad because it's over. On the plane ride back, thinking about everyone and knowing that we wouldn't all be together again, or at least for a very long time made me nauseous and just want to disappear. Even now, I wish we could all just be back in Greece and have a little more time together. But then I realized, that I shouldn't be moping or sulking. What I experienced was amazing and once in a life time. If i hadn't gone abroad I never would have met these wonderful people and wouldn't have had the adventures I went on. One of the hardest things that I had to deal with was growing apart with my friends. It's as if one second we were in our own little world, and the next we're back in reality and in our homes spread out across the country. But I know that regardless of where we are or how much time passes, we'll always share those 4 months of experiences that no amount of distance or time can erase. That's what makes me smile. Barcelona, Spring Break, the islands, I'll never forget Greece. Making sangria on Sangria Friday's, and cooking family din before going out for a night of fun in Psyrri and going home at an ungodly hour as the sun was rising. It's always going to be a part of me and I'll always miss it on some level. What we had was special because never again will we be able to experience what we had at that time. Who knows what's still in store for me in the future. This is just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures. I'll take these experiences with me and grow from them.
Monday, June 8, 2009
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