Today Felt Like Christmas

My parents have safely made it to Bangor, just in time for the fall rain. Perfect.

I am happy they are here and in two whole, motherly and fatherly pieces. Last night I was a whirling dervish because they hadn't called all day to check in after traveling from Traben-Trarbach to Neu Anspach on the AUTOBAHN. For God's sakes. I was so worried! After driving on the autobahn with Annie in Hamburg I shuttered to think about my parents driving stick shift on that hell-way. I talked with one of my girlfriends, Raphaela, who is German and knows alllll about the crazy drivers in her country. She was so sweet and talked me down,"You know what?! I know exactly how you feel, sometimes my parents just blow me off all together and don't reply to my emails or calls... I don't think they understand that kids can get just as worried and nervous as parents can." Oh Raphi. But she was so right! I always worry about my parents and if they are okay. Maybe it's the only child thing? It's just me, so, if something happened, it would be just ME! Freaky stuff, man.

Anyhew, parents are here and they are happy but very tired from the long train ride down from Manchester. I went and met them at the train station and we got a cab to their Bed and Breakfast. Once they were all settled we walked down the road to the Tap and Spile Pub and got some dinner. I am so excited to show them where I've been living and tell them about all the things I'm doing/have done. Tomorrow we are going to catch a train or bus out of Bangor to Caernarfon or Lamberis to see castles and the Saturday markets. I must say that as overjoyed as I am to see my parents it is strange having them here. It's like a collision of two of my worlds "Bangor, meet Marquette." I think it is because I have just pictured myself here and no one else, not any of my friends or family, just me doing this alone, flying solo. It's one of those silly things that really isn't such a big deal but it makes you feel a little funky and out of sorts. Until I saw them at the train station this afternoon their trip to see me was more like a possibility and not an actual reality. So, I pretty much freaked out and started tearing up when I hugged them. I forgot how good it feels to get a big ole hug from my mom and how easy it is to sink into my tree of a dad. I have missed them so so much. It is going to be a fantastic week!

Best,

Zoe