Fri Nov 23, 2001 | day 74
Like that of two magnets, our relationship was one of immediate bonding. The
more Alexandra and I spent time together, the more we realized how incredibly
lucky we were to have met that fateful day in the Vienna trainstation. But we
knew from the beginning that our relationship had a deadline, and although it
was very hard to accept for both of us, we said good-bye at 12:20am on Thursday
(Nov. 23), just 126 hours after we first met. I brought her to the Gare de
L'Est Paris train station, she borded the train bound for Germany and just like
that, she was gone. It is sad to think we may never see each other again.
Nevertheless, we plan on keeping in touch via email and snail mail.
The last week with Alexandra has been the perfect bookend to the encyclopedic 77-day adventure of mine. My pilgrimage has revealed just as much about the world around me as it has about myself. Somewhere along the way, this trip has downloaded my Owner's Manual and now after 26 years, I have finally figured out the mystery of who I am. I feel more alive and in control of my life than ever before.
I thank you all for listening to what I have had to say for the last 3-4 months. I plan on writing my final journal entry upon my return to The States (on Sunday!) and I hope to see all of you soon.
~Kolby
