“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
Winnie the Pooh
This has, and always will be, one of my favorite quotes and I think it perfectly describes my attitude toward this final week. I feel so incredibly blessed that I was given the opportunity to experience something like this. Thank you to everyone who played a part in my getting here, words cannot express my gratitude for you all. And to the people who have been by my side these last two months, thank you, too. You are the craziest, kindest, funniest, most caring makeshift family I could have ever asked for. Here come the tears! I’m now crying and am going to need to stop being sappy and move onto a recap of the week. It’s too early for nostalgia! Seriously, though. I am immensely grateful for all of you. Thank you Ivy, Joe, and Connect-123 for making it all happen. Another round of thanks to my mom and stepdad for urging me to do this. I guess kind of thank you to John, too? I told my mom I would only do this program if I went into it with a friend… he was the easiest to convince. And finally, my last round of thanks for all the people I never knew I couldn’t live without. To know you is to love you.
A few reasons to be grateful <3
Okay! Now back to our regularly scheduled program: Weekly Recap. Back in the middle of June, a large group of us got together and mapped out what we wanted our free weekend to look like. We landed on Amsterdam as our final destination. This past Friday, we all set off. Braden, Jack, Ariana, and I arrived at the airport that morning at 4:30 AM with circles under our eyes as we waited for our 7AM flight to depart. Once we landed, we went into the city towards our hotel and the rest of the group. Around noon we met up with the rest of the group and Bella, John, Ari, and I walked around the outdoor markets. I bought a small scarf and it ended up being my most worn garment of the weekend. Later, we regrouped at a pub and sat outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Around seven that evening, we walked over to the canal to board our boat tour around the city. The tour was actually something we had planned and orchestrated with everyone on the trip so we filled the entire boat! We had such a blast cruising around the city, eating hors d’oeuvres, and taking photos. After the boat tour we headed back into the city to grab dinner and hangout a bit more. Amsterdam’s food is intoxicating. I think I may have gained 10 pounds over the four days we spent there.
Our canal tour of the city!
The following morning we woke up and headed right back out on the water. Bella, our Dutch citizen, tour guide, and translator, booked us a trip on the Pannenkoekenboot (Pancake Boat). Before the pancake tour, though, we had quite the trek. We first had to navigate the bus/metro situation which was a challenge in and of itself. Then, we had to hop on a ferry to bring us across the river where the boat actually was. FInally, we boarded and were allowed our first round of pancakes once we’d left the dock. They were delicious. I started with a savory one then switched to sweet when we came back around. We were all pretty exhausted after the boat ride so Margaret, Bella, and I went back to our hotel to take a quick nap. In hindsight, I’m really confused as to why we did that given the fact it was 100 degrees in our room. After a very brief but sweaty nap, we met back up with everyone else to adventure around the city. A quick stop to the Red Light District and some Febo later and we were ready to call it a night.
Pannenkoekenboot and Red Light District
Sunday we had tickets to the Heineken Experience. SO COOL. At first, we were all a bit skeptical about the tour because it seemed too history lesson-esque but the tune quickly changed as the tour continued. Bella, Braden, Jack, and I were in the same group for the portion of the tour where you “become a bottle” of Heineken and we couldn’t stop laughing. The tour concluded and we regrouped in the bar downstairs with our free Heineken’s. We’d gotten tickets to the rooftop bar as well ans so once we’d finished our free drinks downstairs, we headed up to have our final one and get a full view overlooking the city.
Heineken Experience!
Monday we didn’t have anything planned so Bella and I took it upon ourselves to have the most European morning ever. Our breakfast was two coffees each as we sat on a patio and people watched while chatting. Afterwards we walked around and finally completed our mission of getting good solo pictures along the canal. Shortly after that, we found Braden and Jack. We had to check out of our hotel earlier that morning so we no longer had a designated place to hangout. So, we hungout with them by the water for a few hours to kill time before our flight. Also funny story: John lost his Ray Bans (for the second time) and for some reason blamed me. As we were packing up the hotel room, I picked up a bag of chips and it felt oddly heavy. John’s glasses were inside the bag of chips. He put his sunglasses in a bag of chips. That’s all!
Solo pics, John’s sunglasses in the chip bag, and us sitting by the river
So… I guess that’s it? Thank you Ireland for the friendships, knowledge, and blessings you’ve given me these past two months. Thank you Mom for making it possible for me to be here. Thank you Dean Kepner and Lily, our abroad mother and the daughter who never failed to make my day. Thank you Professor Wilck and company for putting up with our antics and supplying endless bus ride entertainment (ie. Hannah). But most of all, thank you to the people I met along the way. I’m crying again so I’m going to need to stop because I’m actually not okay at all. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. I continue to feel so lucky that I am surrounded by such an amazing group of people. You guys are what make me never want to leave. Slainte!
