Quicker than a blink of an eye.
Written by Nez, Posted in Travel, Comments: leave another one
That is to sum up the time I spent in France – it was quicker than a blink of an eye.
I have been very busy in the last few days. At the end of the day all I want is to unwind. Documenting our lives has taken a back seat. This coming Saturday we will be going to Portugal and Lisbon. It will be our last big trip in Europe. So we are doing a lot of goodbyes because when we come back we will be left with couple of days before we travel back to SA.
Saying goodbyes to friends and family in SA was not as sad as saying goodbyes to our friends here. When I was leaving home, back in my mind I knew that days are going to pass by fast in Europe and in no time I will be back. And true enough, days have gone by fast. Leaving France is different. A year has been short. One friend felt very emotional when I said my stay in France has come to an end. With tears flowing down her chicks, she said: I was still looking forward to lunch dates, there are so many things I wanted us to talk about and so much laughter to share.
It was way too humbling to hear that and of course, I wailed. What made me sad is that I am not sure when I will be back in France. I have built so many bonds with people that, like my friend I felt they were terminated too soon. Never ever had I thought I will make deep friendships in France. When I came here all I heard was how unfriendly are French people. I have surely met tons of unfriendly French people but amongst them I found the most kind friends ever.
Friday we went for a dinner at our friend’s place and Saturday we were also invited for dinner. On Sunday we said our goodbyes in church. We have spent every Sunday in France going to Renaissance Church in Tours, except some Sundays when we were on vacations . I still don’t understand most of the preaching in French but I make sure to read a bible verse of the day in English. I never felt lost. What I enjoyed most was the music. I have been in peace glorifying God in French songs for the past 13 months.
Its been a very challenging week of goodbyes. We shared gifts, laughter, tears of joy and of sadness as we were parting. That is not too bad because it means we have touched some people’s lives and they have touched ours too. The sadness of saying goodbye does not really matter, it is the time we spent together that matters.
Take care,
Nez