Hallo Alle!
Well this is it. I've officially moved back to Boston now. I can't believe how the time flew by.
I left about mid-day on Friday the 22nd, which meant I had just a little bit of time to spend with my good friend Rob on the last morning I was there. We went to get breakfast (my last European breakfast), and then spent some time listening to music and hanging out. Then my car came, it was time to leave Europe. Sigh.
The travelling day was long. I got to my Basel - Frankfurt flight on time, but then my flight from Frankfurt to Boston was delayed 2 hours, which was so aggravating. I just wanted to get back to Boston!! But finally the time came. I boarded the plane and prepared for the 7 1/2 hour flight back to Boston.
Finally being back was so surreal. I was in the customs line, and above the officers there were screens that had a welcoming video playing, and all the stereo-typically American images and such. It was so weird! Everything was in English! Luckily I had no issues at customs, and then I proceeded to get my luggage, which was already on the carrousel because I'd been in the customs line for so long. I walked out of the doors of the airport, and was amazed by the humidity, and the hustle and bustle. I just couldn't stop thinking, I'm back now. This is Boston. Whatt???? Such a surreal feeling. And then my lovely friends Lisa, Seth and Alex came to pick me up, and all the stress from the day vanished. Being reunited with my friends here has been such a blessing. I missed them all so much when I was in Europe, and seeing them again has definitely helped me with all the craziness of coming back.
I've been experiencing more culture shock than I thought I would. On my first day back, we went to a Mexican-style fast food restaurant, and I had to remind myself to order in English. And then when the lady handed me the bill, I had NO IDEA what to do for tip! I totally forgot what the rules were, so I didn't tip at all... luckily it was a fast food place so tipping wasn't necessary, but if it was an actual restaurant, I'm sure I would've gotten some dirty looks! It's crazy how the littlest things can make such a difference. Like hearing English everywhere on the street, not knowing how to weigh produce in the supermarket (they do it FOR you at the till... NOT like in Europe), having your food bagged for you, swiping your card yourself, J-walking, etc. etc. And then of course there's the food. I think the food here was actually making me sick! So strange. I'm definitely ok now, I just ate a slice of American Pizza and so far no symptoms. I just didn't realize that that would be a thing that I'd have to get used to again. So strange.
I'm really thankful for the time I spent in Germany. There were definitely a couple really hard times, settling in was harder than I thought it would be, and there were lots of trials along the way, but I feel like I learned so much and really grew as a person. So that's awesome! I really hope I get a chance to go back there again, maybe spend more time living there, because it's such a beautiful country :).
I'm also quite happy that this blog worked out so well so all of you could keep track of me while I was gone! Definitely a nice alternative to Facebook ;) Now it is time for the next stage in life, here in the lovely city of Boston, MA. So looking forward to what God has in store for me in the next few years! I know it'll be awesome :)
Herzliche Grüße und Aufwiedersehen!
<3 hannah ;)
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