My last day in Siena

Friday, December 18, 2009

Last night, my apartment hosted a dinner party for all our Italian friends. Lots of food, even more desserts, and several bottles of wine in, the reality of "goodbye" suddenly started to sink to in as we danced and huggd and cried (just a little).

After dinner, we walked through the cold, Christmas-decorated streets of Siena to say our farewells to IES friends. As we booked it back to our warm house, Sarah, Daniela, and I stopped to take one last picture in front of the tower in the Campo. I simply cannot (or maybe will not) believe that it could be years before I see that beloved Piazza again.

This morning I woke up early to help Sarah and Caroline lug their suitcases downstairs and hug them one last time. When the door closed behind them and Daniela and I were left alone, both of us were teary-eyed and a bit shell-shocked: you don't actually believe the semester is over until it is completely over.

It's been great to enjoy a few work-free days in Siena, especially with Andy and his friend, but I think it is time to go home. Without my full apartment to dance and eat with, and without classes to attend and complain about, I'm anxious to see friends, family, and the States.

Today I will visit Simonetta for the last time, return my borrowed computer to IES, and pack my final things. Tomorrow morning I leave for Rome and Sunday at noon my plane takes off. It's a strange few days in limbo, but I know it will only be a stranger few weeks on the other side.