and so it begins.

So it has almost been a month since I wrote my first post. My last few weeks in Canada were pretty hectic, getting things ready, insurance, seeing friends and family to say goodbye. It all went by so fast and it never felt real until I was in the airport and I had to say bye to my parents for a year. I hadn't really cried about my whole exchange, even when I said goodbye to my best friends, it was like a "see ya later" with a hug, it felt like I was just saying bye and that I would just see them in a couple days when we hungout next, but that is not going to happen for a year. I didn't really realize how long a year was, and I am so happy for this exchange and this oppurtunity, but I realize now what the other exchange students were talking about when they told us that sometimes it was hard. It was hard to say bye to my parents and see people cry, I hate crying and I hate seeing others cry.
But I have arrived in Danmark, safe and sound. Flying wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, it was actually such an amazing feeling. It felt like my two favourite things put together; driving and rollercoasters. The take off reminded me of being at an amusement park and going on a ride and then just flying reminded me of driving. I didn't get too lost in the Amsterdam airport, which was really nice. I didn't explore I just went straight to baggage, which I didn't need to, then I just went to the terminal and sat there. I didn't sleep for over 25 hours, which made the jet lag easier because I had a nap after my host family showed me my school and then I woke up for dinner and then went to bed at the same time as everyone else. I slept for 12 hours and woke up at 12.30 on Monday. Jakob and Marianne took me for some more exploring and they showed me Jakob's old school and I met Erik's mom, who only speaks Danish, but she seemed like a very lovely lady. My danish isn't very good and I am very hesitant to speak it because I don't like being wrong or doing things wrong, so I always fall back into speaking english, which I really need to stop doing.
On Tuesday Jakob and I went to Odense and he showed me the shopping areas and around there. It is beautiful here and there are so many people and bikes. The streets were packing with people and with bikes, I have never seen so many in my life. It amazes me how everyone gets around on their bike. In the evening we went to a family friends' house for dinner, which was delicious. Danes really are such nice people. This family had three children; 2 sons and one daughter. The older son is Jakob's age, so a year older than me. He was very nice, they all are so nice.
So it begins, my year abroad. My year with different people, culture and in a different place. I will try and keep this updated and share all my experiences over here because I know this year will be an amazing one.
-Maggie. (: