Heidelberg

      Yesterday we went on our final group excursion to Heidelberg, Germany. It was a very cute town but I could never see myself living there because it was incredibly touristy. The parts that I enjoyed were the delicious food at the Christmas markets as well as the giant, half-destroyed castle that is sitting on the hill. What I didn't enjoy was being sick and surrounded by hundreds of Asian tourists.
      The Christmas markets did remind me that I will be back in the United States by the time Christmas arrives. While I would not mind staying in Europe and spending Christmas here, I am looking forward to seeing my family again. Spending Thanksgiving here was a lot of fun but it was the first time during this entire trip that I missed home. When I arrive in the US, it will be 21 December and my family will already be running around crazy trying to get everything ready for Christmas Ever and Christmas Day. There will be a lot of unnecessary cleaning and cooking but I am hoping to opt out with jet-lag as my excuse.
      The first few weeks in Strasbourg I talked to my friends almost everyday and we talked about what we would do when I got back. Now that it is getting close to me returning, it seems like we have started the pattern over again but it is more exciting because I know it won't be very long. Of course I will miss all the people I met here but I see it as an excuse to come back.
-Rachel Cooper