A Culmination of Comments

Here are some final thoughts:

I have been back in the states for a while now which has allowed me to both reminisce and reflect on my time abroad. All and all, I am overjoyed to be home. I have rested, hung out with my family, and partly settled back into my old routine. The most interesting aspect of being back home must be that I experienced hardcore culture shock. That is, culture shock when i came back, not when i went there. it took about three "pardon"s after running into people in Columbus, Ohio before i caught on that i should take things more slowly until I am used to the states. Also, i'm sure the crazy, short and crotchety homeless man that shouted at me to "go overdose you druggie" added to the culture shock. Overall, I am excited for this summer because about 5 or 6 people from my program will be here in the DC area, so i'll get to see them all. I have also realized that rather than tell one long continuous story of my time abroad, all the little stories will come out when the time is right.

so here is the end of my time in Europe, however, it does not mean that I will not be keeping people updated on the random mishaps that describe my life.

-Always in Europe,
DJ

Not Necessarily New

I was about to write a new post when i realized that due to the insufficient wireless that was at our hotel this post was never sent. so here it is, and i'll catch everyone up soon:

soh, (hhere is the earhth...)

Boredom along with other frustrations has caused our program to crack. We have been cooped up in this hotel for about two weeks and trust me when i say you can only visit the small town of Pula so many times before you have seen everything.

A basic day here in Hotel Histria, on the Istria penisula of northern Croatia, consists of waking up for breakfast some time before 9:30am. Usually you awaken by the sudden opening of your door and the maids walking in speaking to one another and shouting, "sorry, sorry, we will return". If i make it to breakfast then kudos to me, but usually i use my old D.A.R.E. teachings and I 'just say no' to waking up. At lunch we all discuss what everyone has planned and then go from there. per usual, no one has any solidified plans and most everyone goes to either take a nap or to the beach. either way, by evening everyone is well rested and ready for dinner and a night spent at the hotel night club. (the crowd makings of which include, a new DJ everynight who uses his own iPod, anywhere from four to five middle aged croatian men, and whichever young people happen to be staying at the hotel)

These carefree days may be turning somewhat boring, but they are numbered as my program is almost coming to an end. It will be interesting to see what happens as people began in leave for new places or to head back to the states because we all have become so close.

well, until next time,
DJ