Last stop: Bordeaux and recap

Last stop, Bordeaux. It doesn't even feel like it's going back to Stuttgart from here. But let's not think about it, enjoy it 😁

Bordeaux is also a beautiful and diverse city and the weather was perfect (27 degrees) sorry 😁

There is a UNESCO tour of Bordeaux that takes you to all the important sights, perfect for exploring the area. And of course, I got tips from La Rochelle on what I urgently need to see and do in Bordeaux. But for today, I have a plan.

The day goes by in a flash, my feet hurt and I'm totally exhausted and full of new impressions, oh what a beautiful and lively city. Something I can't say about my roommates from my room. All of them are silent, and I'm being looked at strangely again when I say hello. I think that's the least they could do when sharing a room. But it doesn't matter, my phone book is full of numbers of nice and amazing people from France. And I don't even have enough time to visit them all, my day tomorrow is already fully planned 😂 But as I should slowly know, everything always turns out differently 😉

So, next day, rested feet and off to Bassins des Lumières. Then to Café Utopia, where they supposedly have the best salad. 

If anyone happens to be passing through Bordeaux, I recommend this exact itinerary. Here's the link, definitely check it out https://www.bassins-lumieres.com/

It was truly impressive and the salad was really really good, I've never been so full after a salad. 

Back at the hostel, I had to pack my backpack, the train leaves tomorrow at 10:04 a.m. 😭. I managed to pack, but going to bed early didn't happen. I ended up in a conversation with someone from my room about the toilet light and the lack of toilet paper. Suddenly, there were four excited chattering and giggling girls. I went to a concert at the hostel with one of them and we talked for ages. I didn't expect this, but now I also know why the mood is sometimes a bit cool, the explanation was given to me that evening. Most of the French people in the hostel either study in the respective city and can't find a room, or they work there and also can't find a room. So, not people who are traveling, that explains a lot. 

Departure, by bus to the train station, 45 minutes walk with my backpack is a bit too far for me. Since the bus driver couldn't give me change for 10 euros, I rode for free. Too bad I can't use this strategy anymore. Now it's from Bordeaux to Paris, across Paris to switch trains and then the final destination Stuttgart. 

Arrived!

It's clear that after such a long time, you don't come back the same way you left (backpack full of dirty laundry, sand, and memories). Although all the memories don't fit in a backpack and moreover, it works inside you without you realizing it. That's a good thing too. You become less demanding, more content, humble, and modest. When you arrive anywhere, you have no expectations, you just let everything happen. Because you know that too many expectations lead to too many disappointments.

5550 km, 8 places, an average of 13,000 steps per day, I have traveled quite a bit. The experience is indescribable, I am so grateful and happy that I had the opportunity to take such a trip. Meeting so many fantastic, hospitable, funny, and inspiring people and spending time with them. Thank you for all the phone numbers with invitations and for speaking French, it really overwhelmed me. And when you write, "I'm back home 🙁I miss France." and the response is only, "France misses your laughter and your humor." You know that you had an incredibly beautiful time. Now it's time to acclimate. 

Small addition: since Sète, books have also been traveling with me. Most hostels have bookshelves, you take a book or exchange it and leave it in another place. In the book, you write where it traveled from and to, and when. Nice ritual.