Welcome Home

Yesterday evening I packed my suitcase, except for a few necessary things. It was strange to realise that today was really my last day in England, in Yorkshire.

For the last time I went to York city centre this morning. The last time I could admire the Minster, say goodbye to the school and walk through the streets. I began with buying the last souvenirs. I thought that it would be hard to find good souvenirs, but it was actually quite easy.

So after that I had all the time to go to the Yorkshire Museum. That was interesting. It was about the prehistory, the Roman period, dinosaurs (with real fossils and stuff), something about Richard III. All about York and Yorkshire of course. They had a library with books from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Nice! They also had a book with Shakespeare’s writings; one of the 230 (once there were 750) “First Folios”. How amazing is that!

The last thing I did in York was walk around in the Museum Gardens. There I saw a squirrel, and in the museum I had just read that the grey squirrel displaced the red squirrel. And that now the black squirrel is displacing the grey squirrel. It was a grey squirrel I saw. It is a cute animal.

After the museum I went home to pack the last things. We left around one o’clock. Richard and Norma would take me to Leeds Airport. But before they dropped me off, we had a last cup of tea. We ordered also scones with jam and whipped cream. The scone was really nice. We had tea and scones at a charity place. All the money people spend there goes to the charity. That is a very good idea. These places are always so inspiring.

Then I said goodbye to Norma and Richard, thanked them for everything they have done. Because I am really grateful for everything they have done for me: the nice dinners, the trip to Whitby and of course taking me in their home so I could have the opportunity to grow in so many ways.

Funny fact: Norma told me that Leeds Airport is the highest airport in the UK. At the airport I had to wait a long time, because first the luggage drop off went very slowly (just one person at the desk for more than thirty passengers) and after that I had to wait till they would announce the gate. That came fifteen minutes late, but after that the trip went fine. The flight was pleasant, nice view over England (before it disappeared behind the clouds), the sea and the Netherlands. When I walked to the place where you collect your luggage, I soon saw my parents and my boyfriend who were waiting for me. I thought I had to wait a while before the luggage would come, but it came faster than was predicted.

From Terence I got some roses, very lovely! After many hugs and kisses we went to eat something. Then it was really time to go home.

And now I am home. It feels a bit strange. Like the past two weeks never happened. They went by so very fast (what is a good sign of course). Luckily I wrote my travel blog and made many photos, so I have proof! And I have my memories of this amazing experience of course.

To everyone who made this possible: Thank you!