My Last Day as a Citizen of Europe

This is my last weekend/day residing in Europe. That must be the saddest sentence that I've ever written. I suspect that I will have to come back, sooner rather than later. I love the lifestyle here and the fact that driving for four hours puts me in the capital of a different country...Not the outskirts of the capital of my country.

Dear Canada: You are too big, but I love you anyway.

After signing out of the country, I'm off to Milan, Greece, back to Italy (up through the coast) and then off to Paris for a five day stay before jet setting back to my own continent. Gee, my life is tough.

This past weekend was an OK farewell, which I think that I like better than the fireworks and charades of an over the top good bye. Friday night I had a Good-bye dinner with some friends. This dinner has been the bane of my existence for the last few weeks. I invited some people over for drinks and some food (and hopefully some nice conversation.... possibly even flattery about how much I will be missed), but instead I got weeks of grief over the guest list, friends quarreling, ME quarreling and at the end of the day I was almost tempted to call the whole thing off.
Which is stupid, because I'm leaving. And I should get to see my friends and enjoy their company one last time. In the end it all worked out with an American, Four Canadians, A swiss miss and a South African in attendance. Wine and champagne was had in a big big way and it was perfect. It was the perfect way to say good-bye, with a group of friends chatting, having fun. I miss them all already.

The next day we went to a city on the other side of the country.

Back story: H met a cute boy on the train... facebook stalking ensued and we mentioned that we would be in his town on Saturday. He offered lunch and a tour (exactly what we had planned for him to ask) and we said "SURE."

So we went by train, for a few hours to meet him in the rain and cold. He was really amazingly nice. For some reason, I always expect that my friends are going to date total losers or jerks... probably because most of the time, they do. *sorry, you know it's true*

He took us around the town and to the Olympic Museum.

I could care LESS about the Olympics. I didn't even watch them this year. I'm all for the idea of building mutual respect and a peace platform through international sport and competition, but I just dont care about mens gymnastics, or womens gymnastics for that matter.

H. loved it though.

At the end of our day, he gave us the obligatory three kisses from cheek to cheek to cheek and we parted ways.

I suspect H. will definitely be keeping in touch with this one. One of the reasons that we are such friends is that we both appreciate a good dating story..... or a good date. And an international "date for three" fits both categories quite snuggly.


Today, I'm finishing packing and probably spending the better part of the day reminiscing and lamenting about my time here. I wouldn't expect anything chipper from me for a while... although a 4 start hotel in Greece with Tido is NOT something to simply deign for.


KK.