Day 31: Begining of the end

Date 6-20-13

This is it. This is the day we were ripped from our homes and plopped on a plane practically without our consent. Typing about it right now surfaces memories of sadness that I would rather bury. I have to say that I have only cried a few times in my life over leaving something and this is one of those times. I know that the adventure is only half over and it isn't fair to my German Family to be so upset but I can't help myself. Part of me is still in Sicily and it always will be.

We had an early start to the morning. I ate breakfast by myself before trudging into my room and not so neatly packing my things into the bag I brought to the beach with me. I kind of sat on my bed staring forlonly at the wall until Giancarlo knocked and announced that it was time to leave. Despite his promise to not wake up to say goodbye, Mattia was waiting and we exchanged hugs and goodbyes. It was a pleasant surprise. It was also hard saying goodbye to Sofia and I'm fairly certain that she cried when she ran back into the house and wouldn't see us off.

The car ride into the city was quiet and I said silent farewells to the places we had visited as we passed them. Giancarlo and Mariella had to visit Mattia's school so Federico, Quinn, and I waited in the car. The day was pleasant and the sea was beautiful. When they got back, we drove around looking for a bakery. Since we had been in Italy for a month and not once tried a cannoli Giancarlo decided to treat us. They were filled with Ricotta cheese and topped with pistachios. I had two.

I figured that since I was only going to be in the country for a couple more hours I could indulge.

Full of sweet food, we drove back to the house in Pedara. I packed what little remained into my big suitcase and then layed on the couch and attempted to update all the Blogs I was behind on. We had MTV Music turned on and for a little bit I could picture that it was still the begining of the month and we had a lot of time left.

Giancarlo drove Quinn and I to the store and piled the cart with Italian snacks to take back on the plane with us. To this day I still haven't opened any. I have this silly idea in my head that if I preserve them all in their packaging, I will magically be back in Italy. Silly, but true.

When lunch time came around, I played around and voiced all the nostalgia I was feeing. Not only was it the last meal, it was the last time we would all joke around like normal. Quinn spilled food on himself like usual and I preserved the Memory of my last bite of psta in Italy.

 

 

After eating lunch, we had only a little bit left before it was time to make the final trip to the Airport. Giancarlo and Mariella kindly bought us some pastries to take to our parents and after zipping them into our backpacks, we said goodbye to the house and street and drove off.

I don't remember the drive very well because too many thoughts were going through my head. The car stalled at one pint and we all cheered saying that we could stay here after all even though we all knew that wasn't possible. None of it felt real even as we pulled up to the Airport.

Moving slowly, we Kind of jst hung around after checking our luggage, not really saying much of importance but not wanting to let go. It was quite fun making fun of the others there, especially the boyscouts running around selling things. Federico and Quinn were joking that the American Girl Scouts would beat the whole Italian Army. We slowly migrated tóward the security line. A couple of times we made comments that it was probably time to go but another joke would be made and we would stay a little bit longer. When it was finally time to say the real goodbyes, that is when I felt the first tear fall. They continued to fall until we were halfway to Germany.

 

I'm eternally grateful to Mariella and Giancarlo for taking us in. I know that we weren't perfect and weren't the best but they will always be my Family. I took a Picture on the plane of my tears.

 

I think the flight attendant thought I was ín Need of some serious assistance becuase she kept Shooting me pitying Looks and offering to get me things. I can't helpthat I was full on sobbing as I entered the plane. We were actually the last ones to check in because we went through security twenty minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off. My face was glued to the plane window throughout take off and until we were so high in the clouds that it was impossible to see anything so that I could soak in as much of the Island as possible. Here are pictures of my last few glances of home:

 

 

We were served some weird type of mustard meatball on the plane and that is how I knew we were in Germany. The ride was short and all of a sudden our surrondings were green and lush and I was seeing my parents and sister on the other side of security. It was a strange Feeling. I couldn't stop commenting on how weird it was being with them. Dodging my moms arms, I ran straight to Theresa and gave her a big hug. It was then when I noticed what she was wearing. Her friendsMiri and Anna accompanied her but her and Miri had decided to surprise me by Dressing in their typical german attire. It made me laugh and Forget about my saddness for the time being.

We had to take the Train to our Hotel and the whole ride Quinn and I were spurting out memories we had from our past month abroad. I think we amused the People around us because they were smiling as we animatedly told our stories. After checking our bags in and Clearing up the confusion of the two rooms, we decided to go to a beer garden for some typical german food. That meant taking the Train again. We arrived upon a Scene of People with high Spirits. Everyone had a beer and pretzel in Hand which I am demonstrating here:

We split a chicken and potato dumplings as well as german potato salad. I don't know how I ever lived before without that potato salad. Over dinner we spoke of our plans for the next day before Splitting up and heading back to our Hotel while the others left to go stay at Anna's place.

 

I'm not quite sure how to end this post. It was a day of bittersweet Feelings. I never ever wanted to leave Sicily but on the other Hand I love being with my sister. All I can say is that Italy does and always will hold the Special place in my heart of being the best month in all my life.