a little bit overdue, but every bit true

Well, the time has come. Today I leave Great Britain to go back to Canada and my "real" life as we called it in Aberdeen.  It's true, my life in Canada is my "real" life, one that I cherish and enjoy immensely, but the storybook adventure that I have been on for the last 5 months has been very real to me, and I will never forget it. Orientation tells you that you will experience all kinds of things, good and bad; that you will undergo cultural adaptation, for better or for worse, that you will make great friends in less than a semester’s time. The wide-eyed and naive George that sat in orientation a year and a half ago did not realize the implications of moving to a new country. Living abroad is one of the most mind opening things I've ever done, and I think I've learned more than I ever could have in a classroom. That being said, I sure will be glad to take some real classes again.When I reflect on what this experience has taught me, and what effect it has had on my life, it kind of just funnels down to the simple idea that no matter where I am, what situation I’m in, I should be grateful. Grateful for even the littlest things, a real sized oven, which works, the way that Canadians move to the right when they walk, for your friends, for the ability to talk to your family whenever you like, for a bike which doesn't break every time you use it. In Morocco, it was like I had moved another level deeper in the Inception-like chain of gratitude. I stayed at a couchsurfer’s place in Marrakech for two days, and it opened my eyes wide to what we had to be thankful for. One room, two students, two mattresses, no furniture, a spool for a desk, and a communal kitchen with two propane burners sets the scene of student life in Marrakech. When I got back to my flat in Aberdeen, it seemed an extravagance to have what we did.I’ve learnt how to travel, learnt that friendship has no time zone, and the exponeniated growth in friendship while travelling can be pretty awesome. I’ve met some of the coolest people, saw some of the most beautiful sights, tried and tasted some wordly cuisine (mmmm goat pancreas) and experienced the most epic of days (skiing in the Sahara anyone?)I write as we drive to the airport to head back to Canada, and it’s a mixed bag of emotion, but there’s two things I know, I’m grateful for the experience I’ve had, and I’m grateful for everything and everyone I’m returning to at home.