Because I didn’t plan much before arriving, I got to view each city with surprise, not knowing what the buildings would look like or what the language would sound like. I was always pleasantly surprised. From Budapest to Athens, each city had such a unique culture. In Budapest I swam in natural spring water baths, while in Athens I climbed up to ancient Greek temples at the Acropolis. In London I stood outside the building that houses the queen, and in Berlin I saw the remnants of communist rule. Each place had its own special sites to see, foods to taste and histories to learn about. Most of all, each city made the world feel a little bigger, full of endless places to explore.
Even though I’ve been hopping all over Europe, I’ve grown particularly fond of Ireland over the last few months. When I leave, I’ll miss the rolling emerald fields in the Irish countryside. I’ll miss the friendly deer in Phoenix Park, and the thick accents of people in my neighborhood. I’ll miss travelling by train or bus to small Irish cities like Cork, Sligo, and Galway. I’ll also miss all the little coffee shops where I read and write my essays, scattered through all of Dublin. I have missed my home in Boston, but my time in Ireland has proven that if you have a few friends and great things to see, even the farthest away place can start to feel like home.
