This afternoon I write to you from Marlborough, CT. The adventure of a lifetime has come to an end. Before I get to today’s headlines, let me recount just how it came to a close.
Wednesday was not so much a day as it was an experience. So much happened on that day that it doesn’t all seem like the same day. It began after a bad night sleep. I had stayed up late studying for my Art History exam. I had set my alarm for 6:30 AM originally, but since I didn’t go to bed until 3:30 AM I changed it back to 7:30 AM. I still didn’t feel like I had gotten enough sleep the rest of the day.
The Art History exam was very difficult. I think I got a good enough grade to pass (I took the class pass/fail). But there was just so much to write about and not enough time to write. Grand Tour was really easy, so I’m pretty sure that I got an A in that class. It’d be sweet to walk out of this semester with two A’s and a pass. That would really help my GPA.
After all my tests were over I started to take care of the errands I needed to run. I took a lot of photos of Florence. I bought stuff for people back home and for me. I picked up stamps for postcards to the U.S. I did all these with Paulo. It was a good, long walk. It’s starting to get really hot in Italy though. I’m glad I signed up for the first session and not the second.
I went back to the hotel to do some more packing and to take a shower before our final group meal. Before we ate we went to a quick info session at the Study Center. That’s where Dr. Carrabino got the neck tie that we had all signed (it looked really good on him). That’s also when we did our program and teacher evaluations. A lot of people let Mrs. Duckworth have it. I just wanted my food so I didn’t put any extra comments. I’m still not convinced that it helps anyway.
The meal was very good, but I have to admit that I was having a hard time enjoying it. I was sad. Dr. Carrabino gave a very touching toast. It was a fun night. Lots of pictures were taken by lots of people. Things went by far too quickly. before I knew it the whole thing was over.
Before I went to bed I wrote a bunch of postcards. This took longer than I thought it would. I didn’t actually get to sleep until 2:30 AM. I set my alarms for 6:30 AM so I’d have plenty of time to get ready. My roommates had gone out, so I figured that I’d be the first one up.
I woke up the next morning when Jason accidentally bumped my bed. I thought maybe he was just getting home, but then I saw that there was light coming through the window. Crap, what time is it? 8:35 AM! What?! My plane takes off at 10:15 AM! So I jumped out of bed and was completely out the door by 9:00 AM. I said goodbye to everyone much more quickly than I thought I would have to. I’ve been thinking about it, and I think the two people I will miss the most are Paulo and Jessica. That being said I’ll probably miss everyone for some reason, but these are the two people I’d be most likely to want to spend more time with back in Tallahassee.
My cab driver tried to rip me off. There’s this thing in Florence where you never pay more than 20 euro to be taken to the airport. The driver wanted to charge me almost 24 euro. Now I wasn’t really trying to be a punk about the rule, it’s just that I only had 20 euro on me. Thankfully he just took the 20 euro and didn’t get mad about it.
I got checked in and made my flight, but I boarded about two minutes after checking in, so it was a close one. The flight to Paris was uneventful. I had a long layover in the Paris airport. The flight from Paris to Boston was equally uneventful, just a longer uneventful. I watched Big Fish on the airplane, which isn’t as good as everyone seems to think it is.
I’ve concluded that the American customs people are the biggest jerks in the world. Even the ones in Cuba are nicer. I know they must be really bored and that the slightest thing must set them off, but they could just be a little more patient.
I got through customs (finally) and found my parents in the airport. It was really good to see them. I’ve been looking forward to getting home for a while now. I loved Florence, and all of Italy for that matter, but the fact that leaving meant that I’d get a break from school made leaving appealing.
All in all, the trip to Italy was a success. I’ve never had more fun, and I’d recommend it to anyone. It still hasn’t quite set in just how much I did, or the fact that I’m back in the U.S. As I give the whole experience some more thought I’m going to post up some content about the lessons I’ve learned and the like. But right now I just can’t put it all into one box. All I know is that it’s a great feeling to be home.
Despite the 6 hour time change I think my internal clock is already back to normal. I went to bed at 11 PM (which, admittedly, was a stretch) and got up at 8:30 AM. I’m hungry when I’m suppose to me and everything. I guess I just travel well. I’ve spent the day unpacking and doing laundry and the like. Not too exciting, but it needs to be done. Today is Alison’s last day of school, which means it’s my last day of peace and quiet here at home. 
I’m pumped to get back in touch with my peeps here in Connecticut. But probably not until tomorrow. Today I’m just going to be lazy and hang around the house. Plus I have the final four episodes of the season of 24 that are calling out to me.
