The Solo Act

I started the trip alone, and now I'll end it alone.

My flight leaves tomorrow at 7 a.m. from Berlin and (because of time changes) will land in Atlanta at 8 p.m. It's going to be a crazy long day, and the waiting starts now. I'm running out of money, and I have a 7-hour layover in Paris - with nothing to do. I won't be able to take a taxi or transportation into town to see anything.

But that's once I actually get to Paris. Today is also fun. I basically don't have anything to do but still have to carry around all of my bags because the check out time was noon. Maybe I can ditch my bags in a locker somewhere or the airport and just milk my transportation pass for all it's worth. Most of the students left this morning, and Lara and I didn't wake up in time to say goodbye, so that makes me feel especially rotten - also because I woke up from a dream that I was saying goodbye to everyone. I won't see most of them again, and I really wanted to say goodbye to Abigail because she lives in Washington.

Thus ends my trip. But never fear - all of this free time has already lent to some reflection, so expect two or three posts when I return about what I like about Europe/Germany/Berlin, what it's like to wander around with nothing to do, whatever else I decide is important to reflect on. I'm pretty tired because last night Abigail, Lara, Kevin and I went to Kilkenny (the Irish bar) one last time and then out to a dance club until 5 a.m. I don't envy Abigail leaving the hotel at 7 a.m. for her flight. What can I say, though, Berlin has been excellent. I've left out plenty of details - like the early dinner we had a a lakeside restaurant yesterday afternoon with more authentic German food and other reflections on how I've grown to be a part of Berlin the past few days but also distanced myself so I can go home happily.

Sorry to be down. I'll pep it up again later :)
See you when I get back to Atlanta.
Tchuss,
Carolyn