I don't have to wear a minimum of 3 layers of clothing (layers that make me want to cry when I have to go to the john after getting dressed).
I don't have to drink wine with every meal or champagne before every meal (though I know some people who would consider that a sad thing).
I can now put my bread on my plate instead of on the table (I tried to resist but after a day or two caved in...when in France...).
I will no longer get dirty looks from waiters when I ask for cafe au lait (poison! poison!), pass on the entree or dessert, or ask for water instead of wine.
But I will miss the cheese (chevre! bleu!), the clementine, the confiture (figs! strawberry!), the bread (those who know me real well know I LOVE bread) and the smiles of those who, even if they couldn't speak English, spoke with their hearts and their eyes and their hugs. I will now have to stop saying pardon and merci and oui, and hopefully I will stop having that recurring dream about french verbs (gawd).
Lessons learned:
1. I am glad that I live in a country that knows the world outside of it.
2. I am glad that my parents' Boot Camp For Travelers came in handy.
3. I am glad to be back where QWERTY keyboards exist.
4. I can survive -8 Celsius and find my way in airports, streets and metro systems with a maleta and not a trusty backpack.
5. How to uncork a bottle of wine (who would've thought this Tanduay Girl would have to, but she did!)
6. Expect the best, hope for the worst--and smile along the way.
7. There's nothing like Christmas in the Philippines. Hands down.
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