On the way to Oscar Wilde's childhood house we go. It is Wednesday evening, and the sun has already set. On the way, my class chats with our professor, Kristian, about James Joyce, Dubliners, and the like. A man next to us taps his shoulder. 

"I happen to work at a shop just around the corner. It's the shop in Ulysses where the characters buy their lemon soap."

In short, a lot!

The first weeks here have been a marathon of checking big sites off my tourist bucket list.  Some of the places I’ve enjoyed include…

Borough Market.
Also known as foodie heaven, this daily market was my dream destination.  I’ve already been there twice, and I’m sure I’ll spend many more lunches browsing the food stalls and indulging in unique treats (truffles, olives, fresh pasta, smoothies, BREAD… hungry yet?)

Right in the middle of Austria resides a wonderful miss named Monika. She is quite tall for her age. She’s chatty and brave. She wanders the world with her arms crossed behind her, face pointed higher. One might think she’s a nobleman’s daughter. And every so often, when the sun soothes to fall, or when the winter’s dim light springs up from its stall, the maiden returns to the city to answer her call. This fair girl, despite her youthful descriptors, is truly no “girl” at all. In fact, she is a seasoned German professor.

I have never been very good at goodbyes. I think that I secretly don’t believe in them. Even if I know I won’t see someone again, I usually find myself saying “See you later,” regardless. Maybe it’s just a habit, or maybe it’s my subconscious refusing to acknowledge the possibility that I won’t see them later. 

Dear pre-Cape Town Cortney, Man, are you standing in a place I wish I could be: the beginning. I know you have some anxiety right now, and I want you to let it go. You have absolutely nothing to worry about or fear. You are going to make lifelong friends, and it won't take that long to do it. Don't, however, let go of the urgency.

What better way to transport to you all to my incredible semester abroad than to share a few of my all-time favorite snapshots? Jump in and join me in Paris, Prague, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Loire, Champagne, Venice, Florence, and Rome!

 

Salut!

“My fear of flying starts as soon as I buckle myself in and then the guy up front mumbles a few unintelligible words then before I know it I'm thrust into the back of my seat by acceleration that seems way too fast and the rest of the trip is an endless nightmare of turbulence, of near misses. And then the cabbie drops me off at the airport.” ~ Dennis Miller

Thank You/Mama’s Boy

 

[Intro] (My Mom)

-Allllright.

 

THANK YOU - LYRICS

[Verse 1] Flight Home

24 hours sleepless, dreamless, I found my way back home