By mariacort3s
Well I have been done with my study abroad for a while but mentally I am not.
A quick recap on my last week: I was planning on leaving Cameroon on the 10th of December but my flight ended up getting cancelled so I left the 11th. I am downplaying the crazy drama that happened in those 24 hours because I finally got over what happened (Air France provided nothing for my two friends and I) and I cannot stress myself over it again. I was worried because on the 13th I was set to go to Rome so we had to leave the 11th. We did leave the 11th, with a delay, but it happened.
Once we got to Paris from Yaoundé, I had to rush to my connecting flight to Lisbon. If it wasn't for me asking people to let me skip them, I would have never made it. Thankfully, I did make it and was in Lisbon by 10 am, however, my bags did not. Yeah, it has been a very dramatic week for me.
Since I was leaving to Rome the next day, I immediately went to buy some underwear, pants, and socks with my aunt to have some clothing. I wasn't really mad at Air France at this point, I kind of just expected that would have happened. Anyways, the next day ten minutes before boarding for my flight to Rome, I realized I had lost my passport. Yeah, series of unfortunate events in reality. I went around the Lisbon airport searching for my passport with no luck and even if I had found it, the gate had already closed. Many tears later, security found my bag with my IDs, passport, and all my cards. I was grateful but a miserable mess.
I took the day to relax because I began to realize that even though I cried for my passport, I was crying for many different reasons. With everything happening form the moment I was supposed to leave Cameroon to now, I had not reflected yet on my last three months. Cameroon was still fresh in my head. I knew I needed to give myself some time - I was rushing into situations quickly and had not taken care of myself. I was missing Cameroon insanely.
I began to wonder if it was worth it to even go to Rome still. I hung around my aunt's apartment playing with her cats and taking naps to help me think. My best friend, Emilio, who is Rome was trying to convince me, and eventually won. I saw it as a gift to me for Christmas.
While, I do not regret going to Rome, it was definitely not the best time for me. Ralph Waldo Emerson has a quote that says "Thought we travel to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." This quote summarizes my 3 day trip because the negative baggage that was following me already came with me to Rome. It was difficult to enjoy myself when I had so much in my mind and was distracted by my own thoughts and pessimism. I attracted so much bad energy that I lost my hotel's keys, debit card, and credit card, and stepped on dog poop.
Even though I saw my best friend, met his wonderful friends from his program, and saw magnificent sights that I am eternally grateful for, I realized it was time for me to go home and have a month long date with my bed and my head. I am not sure if these are normal feelings for post-study abroad but I definitely put too much on myself. Tomorrow I leave back to the USA and I wish I could stay on this side of the world, but my bed is calling my name. I'll back soon, I know I will. These four months have shown me the incredible feelings of being in new places and finding yourself lost in the streets of cities that are unknown to you and meeting new people that are open and willing to share themselves with you.
Thank you to Portugal, France, Italy, and most importantly, Cameroon. Thank you to these countries that I had the pleasure to visit and even live in. Cameroon, part of my heart stayed there. I'll see you soon, don't worry. From August 18th to December 18th, these months are unforgettable and are now sealed in my special memories bin in my brain. I am filled with gratefulness and forever in debt with each person that made my life so sweet.
Muito obrigada, merci beaucoup, grazie mille, thank you so much