The final chapter...

While I realize that I am writing the final piece to my exchange experience almost a year later, I feel it is still important that I end this blog with a certain sense of satisfaction. Annalise and I spent five days in Greece together before I went back to Tilburg for one more night before flying out of Amsterdam and back home to Toronto. When I last wrote on this blog, I was sitting in an expensive Internet cafe by the port in Athens waiting to board our midnight passage with Annalise. Once midnight rolled around we starting walking toward the boat which we had just learned was the SLOWEST ferry boat in Athens. No wonder it was going to take us nine hours to get to our island!

We climbed our way up to the open deck level and watched the labourers board all sorts of timber and supplies in the bottom of the boat. We set up our sleeping bags and soon saw the lights of the port fade away as we sailed into the darkness underneath an open Mediterranean sky of stars. At first it was hard to fall asleep on the cold metal floor but after a while the constant humming vibrations of the boat and the passenger playing his Spanish guitar created a sort of lullaby and we soon fell asleep.

Hours later I woke up to one of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. A rising sun over the Aegean sea... It was one of those moments where you stand up, look around, and have to pinch yourself to believe that you are where you are. As the sun rose in the sky Annalise and the other passengers started to wake up and get ready. The sun because hotter and hotter and by 10am, the full impact of the blue started to hit me. It was around this time that we met three English blokes (as I called them) who were vacationing before heading to military school.

These guys were pretty hilarious and it was really cool to chat and share stories of travel. We were actually headed to the same hostel on the same island so it worked out really well. When Annalise and I arrived at our hostel we couldn't believe the luxury we got to stay in for roughly $15 Cdn a night. An entire circular clay cottage to ourselves with two double beds and direct view to the beautiful beach! It was paradise!

At that point I was really feeling the Greek vibe and we spent the rest of the afternoon doing what all people should do in Greece.... lie on the BEACH! I felt like I was in a living postcard, the white buildings in the background, the white sand at my feet, and nothing but blue sky and water ahead. I ended up with a killer burn but in all honesty, it was worth it! That night, Annalise and I had dinner with the Brits and enjoyed some excellent pizza - although I'm not sure Chris feel the same way, it was "rather spicy" for him. We decided to head into the main village of Ios and spent the night checking out these amazing little bars around everything nook and cranny. It was so wild - the town wound up a large hill and it all connected as if it was one giant structure.

That night was also the night of the infamous "stick". Those who know the story know that it is best told in person (sorry Ed!)

The next morning Annalise and I decided that it was time to do a little touring and the two of us managed to figure out the rural bus system enough to make it to the pier where we first arrived on the island. We had noticed several four-wheeler/motorbike rental places. This was probably the most memorable thing about Greece - renting a four-wheeler and just cruising to undiscovered places around the island. Two of us fit on one and since I forgot my license, Annalise was the official driver and I the official passenger. Looking spiffy in our helmets (later realizing NOBODY wears them) we headed for our first stop - food! We bought some delicious eats for a picnic lunch and then headed off to the wild!

Ending up in a place we were totally not meaning to go, we stumbled upon an ancient historical site - get this - Homer's burial site! The famous Greek writer of Odyssey had lived on the island of Ios and was buried right beneath us. The history and awe of Greece was seeping in. Once on the road again, being the kind of gals that we are, we decided to "off-road" it into a rugged looking beach area. Eventually, our bumpy ride led us to our own personal beach out in the middle of nowhere! An entire paradise all to ourselves, we had some lunch, had a nap, and even went for a nice dip.

By the time we awoke from our naps, we realized we had better head back as sunset was only hours away. This is where both of us got really quiet.... we couldn't quite figure out how to get to the main road, everything was looking very desolate, and we were very much alone. The path got steeper, I had to get out of the RV and give it a few pushes. Then, like a miracle, we found the road! Both of us let out a huge sigh of laughter and broke the nervous silence. We had both been extremely anxious and it was so relieving to be back on track.

With the sun setting and the wind whipping through our hair, we found one final ancient ruin on our ride back to town. This place had been some sort of old fortress and winding stone steps took us to the most amazing views. I don't think Annalise and I will ever forget that incredible four-wheeling adventure.

Our last night in Ios was spent with the English folks and Ed got out his guitar and played some tunes for us as we chilled on the beach. There must have been a million starts out that night. Before going to bed we played an intense game of 'cheat' with the most interesting cards. Annalise and I left the next morning to Mykonos and bid the boys a farewell. It was sad to say goodbye to new friends but we know we'll all meet up again someday - that's just the way travelling works!

Taking a speedy fairy, we arrived at our hostel on the island of Mykonos by late afternoon. Settling into our little cabin (the size of a garden shed) we then scouted out this MASSIVE hostel. The skies weren't looking too friendly and we experienced some slight rain. To cap off my final night in Greece, we got some ice cream and enjoyed the lounge chairs on the beach. After a nice long talk and lots of reflection about our time in Tilburg, we went to sleep.

The next part of my travels will only bring up some painful memories so here's the long story short:

Took an expensive taxi ride from the hostel to island's airport. Airport on severe island time and over 2 hours late making my connection in Athens late. Finally get to Athens and spend over 8 hours in delays, finally board plane to Munich but plane to Munich is 30 minutes late causing me to miss flight to Amsterdam. So I'm stuck in Amsterdam for the night but on the plus - airline pays for awesome hotel room and free dinner! Next morning get to Munich airport again and finally get to Amsterdam. Phew!

From here, the last day in Tilburg is all a blur. There was lots of goodbyes, many tears, and one final sleepover with the Irish and Scottish crew. My beloved Italians had already gone home and it was so sad to say goodbye to the remaining roommates of Floor 52. Walking down the stairs of Verbernelaan for the last time, I left among promises to see everyone of my roommates again...someday.

There really isn't word adequate enough to explain what this entire experience has meant to me. It was truly life-changing in so many ways. Holland became a home to me and the exchange students my family. I cannot wait to embark on more adventures to revisit the people I grew to love in their own home countries.

xoxo Cheryl