My time is Perpignan is coming to a close. That brings a lot of emotions, and I'm realizing that I'm not quite ready to leave.
I'm missing home, that's for sure, but home is more about the people than the specific location. Don't get me wrong... I love Colorado. It's one of the best places in the world, hands down, and I'm looking forward to spending sunny summer days hiking in the mountains and warm evenings at Red Rocks. That Colorado sunset is calling me for sure. I'm also looking forward to peanut butter, salsa, and a great noodle bowl. But I'm especially looking forward to being with my family, some of which I haven't seen in eight long months.
So yes, I am looking forward to being home, but it still feels like it will be a vacation. I want to come back to Europe, to France, maybe Perpignan but I'd like to explore other areas too. I've been applying for jobs, in Europe and the States, but nothing has developed into anything beyond an application. I'm not quite ready for a "grown-up" job or real post-graduation responsibilities. That's not quite my style lately... I may continue exploring new places and meeting new people for as long as I can. It's somewhat terrifying and yet completely exhilarating to not know where I'll be six months from now. It's an interesting freedom to decide where I'll be next.
My time in Perpignan has been... memorable. Yet again it's the people I've met that made my year so great. I was lucky to arrive into a community of young adults from all over the world who were here to teach English. I lived with others studying here, and through all the connections, I also became close with a group of French people, Perpignanais and others. Everyone is going their own ways now, back to the U.S., Canada, the UK and more. Others I'll be leaving behind, for the time being, but look forward to seeing them soon. It's not a goodbye, but it'll also never be quite the same. This year will forever stick in my memory as a time and place suspended in its own little space.
So Perpignan, for the times I've loved you and the time I just wanted to leave, the times I was homesick and the times I didn't want my time here to ever end, I salute you. It's not a goodbye, it's only an à plus!
