My Flatmate Lives in a Hamlet

     I've been wanting to write a post with that title for months now and with my time here in England racing to an end I figured now was the time. The past 6 months I've done a lot of traveling around Europe and in England, which has been the focus of most of my posts. But where I called home was Ainsty Flat D2 Garrowby Way. When I arrived in York, it was dark and rainy. I had no idea where I was living, what my room would be like, if it had a bathroom, how many people I was living with or who I was living with. Similarly, the people I was to live with had no idea I was coming or who I was. One of my flatmates even thought I was German at first! At least we were all in the same boat. Surprisingly, I really wasn't too concerned. I'd just had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's in Germany and was feeling ready for my next adventure.
   Within the first few days, I met my new flatmates and, as we all learned, I was American and the four of them were British. And yes, one of them does live in a hamlet! At first I was a bit overwhelmed as they all knew each other already (and the campus and the country!). Week by week though I started spending a bit more time in the kitchen hanging out with them. By the end of my time, I had to force myself to get out of the kitchen to go study. I learned so much about British culture, words, food, and holidays and I taught them a bit about American culture as well. More than that though, I had a place to call home... friends to eat ice cream out of the tub with and to help me with spider infestations at 1am.  I couldn't have asked for a better place to call home and better group of people to call family here. Unfortunately, each of them has left for home already and I find myself in our kitchen already missing them. My time in England wouldn't have been the same without you. This is not a goodbye, just a see you in a few years. Most of all, Millie, Martha, Olivia, and Megan, thank you. I am so grateful to have met you and while America may be far, the pilgrims made it and so I'm sure with a Boeing-747 so can you.

My British Family 

     I've been lucky enough to travel to 12 different countries in the past year, but the most amazing part of my journey has been the people I've met along the way, many of whom I met on the Camino and then got to visit over Christmas break, spring break, and summer. To everyone who I've been lucky to meet, walk the Camino with, live with, visit, and travel with: you are always welcome to visit me America. I hope to see you all again one day. Thank you for being a part of my year.
     And for those of you at home who I said goodbye to last summer, I'm coming home tomorrow! A year older, a year wiser? We have a year's worth of missed holidays, birthdays, hikes, hugs, and laughs to make up for.