Stepping off of the plane, I wondered what exactly I had gotten myself into.

Fighting the language barrier, I stood frozen, in the seemingly jumbled discombobulation of people and suitcases.

Pulling a photo of my host family from my pocketbook I searched for the picturesque clan with whom I would spend the eleven months to come.

Without a single word they kissed me, cheek to cheek, then took my bagge.

--

Pulling up to the gated mansion, I suddenly grew more and more awake.

"This is your room," my mother had said, after climbing 4 flights of stairs.

After unpacking my bags, I became so drained, I suddenly collapsed in my bed.

Woken up to the sound of music, being ferociously played in the garden.

I carefully snuck down the stairs, leading to a crowd, which through translation, surprised me with a surprise.

"Bienvenue, chez nous! Comment-vas tu?" Echoed between the walls.

After this day of traveling, coma-like sleep, I was finally where I belonged.

---

A year has gone by, and it is now time for me to say my goodbyes.

Thank you for all you have done, treating me as your own, and as a guest in your palacelike home.

Though today we say goodbye, and we all cry, It wont be long until I'll be gone.

So, we all joined together to make one last memory.

We sang, we sung, some even got drunk, but only in the most fashionable of fashions.

One year has gone by, a few more plane rides, and I am home to share love with the world.