The fact that I am now writing my last blog of Erasmus is none other than heartbreaking. It seems no time at all since I had overcome by nerves, got on the plane to Denmark and was writing about all the ambitions and goals I set out achieve after my very first week. I guess that's how it goes.. all good things must come to an end and sadly this is one of those things.
On Monday, after Kate and I cleared and cleaned out her dorm room, the few members of the class we had left, all decided to meet in town for our 'last supper' together.
After dinner we spent a while walking around the town taking in the sights of Aarhus and cherishing the memories we had made there. I couldn't help but think back, as I was walking through the town, to when I first arrived in that very same train station. Kate and I were exhausted hauling our luggage about and desperately trying to find Jonas (my buddy who had arranged to pick us up). Walking out of the train station I had a quick glance at the town I was to call home for the next four months, and now four months later I'm leaving with a completely new perspective on the exact same place.
I remember, in our first week, Rune giving us a guided tour of the main street and thinking 'how on earth am I ever going to find my way around this place?' but I soon became accustomed to my surroundings and I feel really priviledged that the four short months I had for Erasmus, I got to spend in Aarhus.
Later that evening we all headed back to Skjoldhøj and sat on the benches together outside our beloved Skjoldhoj bar, drinking a few glasses of wine and sharing our more treasured memories of our time here, some of the best ones being in the bar itself!
'We didn't realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun' - Unknown
he time came when we had to say goodbye to the other half of our Irish group; Poppy, Leah and Jessica. To see the sadness we all had in our eyes would have a passer by thinking the world was ending! Even though us five all are from the same country, saying goodbye to these girls was one of the hardest things I had to do. The friendships bonds I formed with them is one I know will last a lifetime, and to think we barely knew each other when we left Stranmillis University!
The next morning, Kate had an inspection with the caretaker and so everything we had, had to be moved over to my now, fourth room in Skjoldhoj...Stefanias, who very kindly offered up her room in order for Kate, Ivona and I to have a place to stay until we had to leave for home.
With Kate, Ivona, Lara and I all very busy last minute packing, we decided to meet up later that evening and have dinner together at Álvaro's. After dinner, came the moment we had to say goodbye to the boys! With lots of hugs for Paolo, Ian and Álvaro and a final toast to our friendship we made our way back to the room and got a relatively early nights sleep, ready to part ways the next morning for our long journey home.
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| From the Beginning... |
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| ...to the end. 'True friends; never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart' - Helen Keller |
The unappreciated day had finally arrived, the day we had to leave the very place we called our home. Kate and I woke early to walk with Ivona and Lara to the taxi. I never could have prepared myself for the overwhelming emotion I felt when I was giving these two girls a final hug goodbye. With tears filling our eyes and golf-ball lumps in our throats, Kate and I reluctantly sent them on their way to the train station and made our way back to the dorm for our final breakfast and gathering up of our belongings.
The moment had come when it was time to bid farewell to Aarhus. Kate and I had to catch the first bus into town in order to get our bus to Copenhagen. Taking one last look at the town that had given us so much to remember, we jumped on the bus and began our journey home. On the way to the airport, Kate and I decided to read our personalised notebooks from everyone in the class (not a good idea when you're already emotional enough and surrounded by a bus full of people!) I streamed tears, but definitely happy tears whilst reading the lovely messages everyone had said and I can safely say that book is something I will treasure forever!
'1 Universe
9 Planets
204 Countries
809 Islands
7 Seas
And I had to privilege to meet you.' - Unknown
After the flight touched down in Dublin, I was greeted by my family, delighted to see me back safe and sound. It was great to see them all again, and I couldn't wait to start telling them all the stories I had and the amazing people I had met, I had so much to tell that no one else got a word in edge ways on the car journey home.
'Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.' - Ibn Batutta
Now that I have completed my Erasmus semester, I can do nothing but sing the praises of the incredible opportunity I had and the beautiful country of Denmark. Aarhus is one place that I will always hold dear in my heart and although I was sad to leave, there was one thing I was excited to get back to Ireland for... Punjana teabags!
References
Unknown - http://thedailyquotes.com/making-memories/
Helen Keller - http://quotesgram.com/quotes-about-friends-and-distance/
Unknown - http://www.firstcovers.com/userquotes/68009/1+universe,+9.html
Ibn Batutta - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jinna-yang/20-of-the-most-inspiring-_b_8856096.html
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