That's done. Today was my last day of work. A short time ago, I turned in my key, said goodbye to the teachers I talked to most, and also to the secretary and principal. The goodbyes were sweet and brief. Not overdone. But my relationships weren't overdone either, no reason for the goodbyes to be. I believe I got as much closure as my time there warranted. I didn't invest myself too deeply, but had generally positive experiences and relationships there. My goodbyes were much the same.
But it still feels a little strange. I walked out of there nearly as casually as I would any other Friday afternoon when I was I done with my work; looking forward to the weekend where I wouldn't think about that place again until Sunday when it it would occur to me to ask myself, "Am I prepared for class tomorrow?" But this time, if I think about teachers, students, or classes, again, it will be as a memory. A few of them I may keep in touch with in a peripheral way, but they will soon sift from my thoughts and reality like a handful of sand gently escapes from your fingers.
Now the only thing that separates me from my new reality, is 4 days. Most of my goodbyes are said. Most of my logistical issues dealt with. The small number of responsibilities I have had are now gone. Essentially summer has begun. There is just a short lag time between the end of work, and the beginning of one of my craziest adventures. And while I briefly mourn the change because of what I have left behind, I can already feel myself shifting, changing. I'm itching to pack up this room, get it cleaned, and head out of town. But at the same time I have to ask myself, "Am I ready?" Yes and no.
4 days until I leave Nice, (and my home and my bed and all other types of dwelling place comforts) to become a pilgrim on the way to Santiago de Compostela. I feel like there is something else I need to do. Either to get my mind, my body, or backpack ready. I've been doing what I can for the latter two. What can be done for the first?
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