When I return to Canada, I imagine you will want to know something about my six months in Europe. In fact, I imagine many of you will want to know the exact same things. In order to skip a number of repeated conversations and to encourage you to come up with some more creative questions upon my return, I present to you my (A)FAQ: (Anticipated) Frequently Asked Questions.?
Q. Where did you travel?
A. A boring but comprehensive list, more or less in chronological order:
- Brussels, Belgium
- Bruges, Belgium
- Prague and Turnov, Czech Republic
- Krakow, Poland
- Budapest, Hungary
- Paris, France
- Rome, Italy
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Berlin, Germany
- Thun/Steffisburg, Switzerland
- Nice, Toulouse and Marseille, France
- Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, Spain
- Sheffield, England
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- And in the Netherlands: Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Gouda and The Hague
Q. Whoa, that's a lot! What was your favourite?
A. Of course, this is a very difficult question to answer. How do you compare sitting in a cafe in Paris so scrambling over rocks at the Giant's Causeway? Plus, when I talk about my 'favourite' places, I'm more talking about my favourite experiences - the food, travel, and company make the trip just as much as the place itself, so by leaving anywhere off this list I'm not passing judgment on the place itself. (That being said, I loved everywhere I went.) After all that - here's my top 5 (which is actually more than 5) in no particular order.
- Paris. Turns out the city is more than a teaching tool used in French textbooks: it's a living, breathing, sometimes ugly but more often beautiful city that doesn't give a sh*t whether you like it or not. But I did.
- The Czech Republic. In large part, this was because of my relatives I met who were so kind and gracious to me, both times I was there.
- Spain - in particular, Barcelona and Valencia. I love Spain because of its diversity and history I find incredibly interesting, and I particularly love the way Spanish people live: with abandon and joy and pleasure.
- 'Great Britain' - in fact, three different places. Northern Ireland for the amazing scenery and a memorable weekend with Kate; England for the charm that seemed directly out of a Rosamund Pilcher novel; Edinburgh for its title of the 'City of Literature' and nooks stuffed to the brim with history and beauty. (As I write this, I've been in Edinburgh less than 24 hours but I'm already calling it.)
- Utrecht, The Netherlands. What can I say? For five months, it was the site of my exchange, but it was more than that - it's my adopted European home. I love the city with a passion for its history, its beauty, and the memories I have ther.
Q. So, do you speak Dutch now?
A. Nearly everyone in the Netherlands speaks wonderful English, so there was really no need for me to learn Dutch. I do know how to say 'I don't understand' and 'I don't speak Dutch.' I also have a handful of vocabulary to do with food (for grocery shopping) and soccer, and a few choice swear words for yelling at the TV when Holland is losing. ('Godverdomme!')
Q. What's the biggest difference between Europe and Canada?
A. Hands down, I would say space and population density - particularly considering The Netherlands is probably the most densely populated country in Europe. At home, you can drive for four hours through forest. In the Netherlands, every square inch of land is put to use, it seems. When I told Europeans that it was an hour flight from the city where I study to my hometown - and that that was short, in Canadian distances - they were often pretty shocked.
Q. Do you have a Dutch/Spanish/foreign-and-therefore-exotic boyfriend now?
A. No, as it turns out. To my family: please, continue asking this question whenever I see you as I thoroughly enjoy answering this question in the negative every time. To my friends: I am now accepting suggestions of cute (but more importantly, interesting and intelligent!) friends you may have...
Q. Are you going to miss Europe?
A. Are you kidding? Absolutely. I already do. (And I haven't even left yet.)
[Some time later]
Q. Sash, you aren't the only person who's ever been to Europe or studied abroad, you know. Can you please shut up about how great Europe and your exchange were?
A. Sorry, what? Wasn't listening. Did I tell you about this time in Edinburgh...?
I hope this has answered some questions before you've even asked them. (I'm presumptuous like that.) Of course, if you do happen to ask me these questions I'll be happy to answer them again - just don't be surprised if my responses sound a little rehearsed. Can't wait to see you all soon.
Love,
A Lunatic
Source: http://lettersfromalunatic.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-friends-and-family-back-home.html
printable bracket army wives khan academy game change own stacy francis tournament brackets
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.