4 am in London
When I think of my time in London, I’ll think of sitting in a pub, swapping stories with friends who were strangers a few days prior. I’ll think of us running in the streets at 4 am trying to figure out the London public transportation system. When Harry’s House comes up in conversation, as it invariably will, I’ll think of us listening to it on loop while we ride the tube. And while I have actually been in class with a couple of real obligations, I’ll think of that fondly too. Writing a paper in a pub isn’t the worst way to spend a Sunday night.
The preparation for this trip almost sent me into cardiac arrest. I was so unbelievably stressed about every aspect. I had a moment when I was alone in the Houston airport, sitting at my gate, and I could physically feel the tension leave my body. I had really been building up this trip in my mind, and the idea that it was about to happen caused a lot of emotions. Flying across the ocean by myself, with no real idea of what was in store, was an oddly comforting feeling. And now it’s all coming to a very quick end.
I feel fulfilled from being here, like something major is complete. And not to be that annoying person that studies abroad in Europe and says it changed their life, but studying abroad in Europe has changed my life. This trip has been everything I thought it would be, and honestly a lot more.
While I love London, its parks, cheesy tourist attractions, history, and, most importantly, the pubs, my favorite part of this experience has been the people I’ve shared it with. It feels almost like The Breakfast Club; a bunch of strangers stuck in a new continent together for a month. I feel really lucky to have these memories with this group. I feel even luckier that I get to bring these friendships back to Austin with me. It makes the idea of leaving London a little easier.
Even though the thought of this experience being over is depressing, I’m also excited about what comes next. I’m doing some more traveling, turning 21, and getting my tonsils out (very exciting)! It’s a packed summer before I go into my senior year. It feels like a really special time in my life, like I’m living in what I’ll refer to in 20 years as “the good ole days.”
Feeling very sappy, per usual. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say soon, per usual.
