Eesti
The common saying, all good things must come to an end. I had this statement thrown around nearly 10 times during my last week in Tallinn and frankly, it’s starting to get on my nerves. Why can’t we just say that this chapter of our lives is over and it’s time to start a new one? Or that this ERASMUS chapter has been amazing and we look forward to the many more life chapters yet to be written?
All good things must come to an end. That’s not true. If I wanted an extra serving of French fries at MacDonald’s I could simply buy another one! Therefore the good thing (in this case, French fries) keeps on going!
So instead I will say that my Erasmus story has ended. Everything I did was for the last time. Going to club Münt for the last time, or going to Red Emperor for Monday night karaoke for the last time or even getting coffee at my favorite coffee place for the last time. It is strange to think that I’ve lived the past 5 months as an international local in Tallinn and suddenly the chapter comes to an end.
I was just getting used to life here (The ERASMUS version by the way.) which includes drinking, eating, minimal studying, being a tourist and plenty of social activities. I have found my favorite restaurants, my favorite hangouts, I got used to the gloomy and cozy weather and I have even perfected my “Estonian” facial expression which comes in very handy especially when shopping at Rimi supermarket.
Being an extremely emotionally invested person, I can say that everyone I’ve met has a place in my heart. And having to say goodbye to these people was the most painful thing of all.
Luckily I had my mum with me to keep me distracted from being too sad or emotional about my last week in Tallinn. I held back the tears and tried not to think of the end as such.
However, never have I had the pleasure of being among the most international group of individuals. All from different cultures, backgrounds, languages and life experiences. Together we lived, partied, argued, studied and even shared a meal or two or three. These amazing people became not only my new-found friends but in time, also my family. I prepared myself for the water works but I had no idea when it would turn on. I held it back many times and stayed strong. I thought it would happen at the very last international club dinner, the ERASMUS farewell dinner, but it didn’t. I thought it could happen at the club while being under the influence of alcohol, but it didn’t happen either. It was only while on the plane out of Tallinn, as soon as we lifted off the ground that was the moment in which it happened. Tears full of content and sadness streamed down my face. This was it. The end of the chapter. That bittersweet moment.
Erasmus Farewell Dinner
Saying goodbye is just too difficult. And I hate having to say it, so instead, I am going to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who I have met in my Erasmus chapter for being part of an amazing story. It is without a doubt that without all of you, my story would not be the same. You will all remain in my heart as being one of the most important chapters of my life. You many never know how much Erasmus as helped me grow and learn as a person and it certainly has. I am truly blessed and lucky to have met such an amazing bunch of people in such a short period of time. You all inspire me in ways you may not even consider and you are all special to me in ways you may not realize.
As we all venture to the next chapter of our lives, it is inevitable that perhaps I’ll never see some of these people ever again. However, as the world grows ever smaller and is ever connected through the Internet, I am sure that one day, we will all meet again. I wish everyone the best of luck on their upcoming chapters and adventures and I hope to see you all again soon.
This is not the last goodbye. This is merely an end of a chapter in which we can look back on and hopefully in the future write new ones together again.
Thank you and don’t worry Tallinn, I’ll be back very soon!
Signing off on my last article for EBSTER,
Chervil
