Detroit
The journey is almost over. I am now on my way home, currently stuck in Detroit because the plane is delayed. Strange to be in America again. And I am shocked to realize how many fat Americans there are. Especially the airport security, who are the first Americans foreigners see...By the way, It's a good thing I didn't try to smuggle any drugs because the airport security completely unpacked my luggage and spread all my belongings on an examining table. Kind of odd to watch all your belongs displayed for everyone to see. I feel bad for Laura the girl next to me who turned red when her dirty underwear was riffled through during a bag search.
My last days in Strasbourg were wonderful. The shows went great! In French the word for performing improv is "jouer" which directly translated is "to play." And that is exactly what it felt like...playing. The two weeks before the shows were not so fun, mostly because I was concerned for my Dad, who is now at home recovering from his surgery. It is hard to be away when your family needs your support. A lot can happen when you leave home for a season.
I am going to miss the many friends I have made on this trip. But I know I will see each of them again. And when I do, my French will be even better. Keith Hitchcock will now take my place as the as the American in France. It was such a joy to spend my last week in Strasbourg with Keith and Marc Olsen (a professor from Penn State, who is directing Keith and Marko's two person show YOX ). Keith described Mark to me as his mentor. Mark is honest, positive, and I am sure a mentor to many.
So now the trick is to remember the way I lived in France and continue to live that way in the States. The trip has changed me and although I can not put my finger on the exact changes, I can feel the change. I can also feel the pain in my legs which still hurts from riding a horse for the first time. This trip was full of firsts, a few seconds, and even some thirds. All of which will be with me forever -- or at least until the dementia kicks in.
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That's it! The end of my 2003 spring trip to Europe. Therefore there will be a pause in this journal until my next trip. Which knowing my love for adventures could be right around the corner. I am curious to know who all followed this journal. If you would be so kind as to post something here or send me an email, that would be swell. Thanks for reading!
paul
My last days in Strasbourg were wonderful. The shows went great! In French the word for performing improv is "jouer" which directly translated is "to play." And that is exactly what it felt like...playing. The two weeks before the shows were not so fun, mostly because I was concerned for my Dad, who is now at home recovering from his surgery. It is hard to be away when your family needs your support. A lot can happen when you leave home for a season.
I am going to miss the many friends I have made on this trip. But I know I will see each of them again. And when I do, my French will be even better. Keith Hitchcock will now take my place as the as the American in France. It was such a joy to spend my last week in Strasbourg with Keith and Marc Olsen (a professor from Penn State, who is directing Keith and Marko's two person show YOX ). Keith described Mark to me as his mentor. Mark is honest, positive, and I am sure a mentor to many.
So now the trick is to remember the way I lived in France and continue to live that way in the States. The trip has changed me and although I can not put my finger on the exact changes, I can feel the change. I can also feel the pain in my legs which still hurts from riding a horse for the first time. This trip was full of firsts, a few seconds, and even some thirds. All of which will be with me forever -- or at least until the dementia kicks in.
----------------
That's it! The end of my 2003 spring trip to Europe. Therefore there will be a pause in this journal until my next trip. Which knowing my love for adventures could be right around the corner. I am curious to know who all followed this journal. If you would be so kind as to post something here or send me an email, that would be swell. Thanks for reading!
paul