Penultimate Day

This was my penultimate day in Sweden... I can't bear to leave this place, yet I can't wait to leave either. The complex plethora of feeling I'm feeling after six eventful months simply cannot be put into words.

I must have walked at least 30 kilometres today, from the apartment to Flogsta, down to St. Johannesgatan (to send Maru off), then to Gamla Uppsala, back to town, to Angstrom, and finally back to town again. I just wanted to visit all the places that will forever be etched in the deep recesses of my memories and remember all the good times I had with so many people during this stay in Sweden.

Goodbyes are difficult when you know you will not be seeing them again anytime soon. The parish in Uppsala has welcomed me into the fold, I got to know so many wonderful persons. The priests and nuns, and the laity; their love and openness have truly shown me the wonders God can do. I remember when I first came, I felt so lonely, so homesick. It all boils down to me not knowing anyone. But over time (two weeks maybe), I slowly (but surely) met and made friends, one at a time. Now that most of them have left for home and/or are away on a summer holiday, I thought I would feel lonely. Not true. The memories of my time with them have kept me from feeling lonely. Memories are such wonderous things...

This is my last night in Uppsala. My room has been cleaned, my bags packed. I went down to my favourite and meaningful places one last time. I went to the Gustavianum Museum one more time. I had a full, tiring, but really fulfiling day. I'm going to miss this place. Just one more night...