Now that I am back, I realize that I can tell stories and offer alternative points of view but it is true that you just have to experience some things yourself to fully understand the differences.  Words are not strong enough to convey it all, but unfortunately they are the sturdiest thing I have to keep my memories alive.  I apologize for writing some epic posts but I just don’t want to forget the details.  Even now I need to look at my entries and pictures to remind me of those four months.

Thank goodness I took good notes and forced myself to sit down for a few hours after each adventure editing pictures and collecting my thoughts to write an entry.  Countless memories of people, architecture, and beauty in seven countries are scattered throughout my adventures, trickling every so often into a conversation or accidental thought.

Yet I have so quickly adjusted to living back at home that looking back, my memories seem just as foggy as at the conclusion of any semester.  You would think my brain recognizes that I was abroad last semester (I was only away 129 days and 3700 miles from the country I know for goodness’s sake) and therefore should put some precedence on preserving those precious experiences.  Geez, I can already feel them fading.

This will be my last post about my semester abroad.  I hope you enjoyed tagging along with me for the adventures and I thank you for all your comments and support.  Do you speak Alyssa now?