Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 93 • December 8, 1994
Tours, France
I woke up in Tours feeling lighter than I had in weeks.
After the long overnight train and the emotional goodbyes in Rota, being back with Olivier and Rachel felt like stepping into a familiar rhythm again. I took a long bath, something I hadn’t done in what felt like forever, and when Rachel came home for lunch, we headed into town together. There was no rush, no train schedule to worry about, and no pressure to be anywhere except where we already were.
We spent the afternoon moving slowly through the city. Rachel had things to do, so I went off on my own for a while — visiting Fritz, doing a little shopping, and mailing the last of my letters home. It felt strange to think those letters might actually arrive after I did. I bought a couple of small things, including a solid corkscrew for my dad and one for myself, the kind that felt like it would last. Simple things, but they mattered. They were the kind of gifts you bring home when you finally know you’re going back.
By the time I met back up with Rachel, the day had taken on a quiet, almost ordinary feeling — the kind of ordinary I had been craving for months. We went home, I took another long bath, and later that night I watched the news on the BBC like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Seven days. That was all that was left.
For the first time since I left Nebraska, the end didn’t feel like something rushing toward me. It felt like something I was finally ready to meet.
No Photographs from today
DAY 93 / 12-8-94
tours, France
I got up around 11 or so, took a long bath & Rachel came home for lunch shortly thereafter. I went into Tours with her. First we went to her friend Barbara’s place. She is starting her own business, a real estate agency, so we saw the place that she bought. I went to change some money, then we went for some café.
Rachel wanted to do more shopping, so I went to visit Fritz, Olivier’s cousin. I was there about an hour. Rachel came back, we went to another shop where I bought some coffee cups. Then we went to “La Poste” so I could mail my last letters home. It’s weird to think that I might beat them home!
I went to do some more shopping, I got a wine opener for Dad & 1 for me. These corkscrews are kick-ass, and only $5.00!
I met up with Rachel at Barbara’s agency. She came home for dinner. I took a bath, & went to sleep around 11 (after watching the BBC world service news).
7 Days.