When one door shuts another one opens...

It's interesting to me how some people deal with the coming and going of people in there lives. Some get very upset, share hugs, nights out before they leave and genuinely get very upset when the dreaded leaving/move out day comes. Others deal with it by saying a nice farewell goodbye, share a hug (or a hand shake), give them well wishes for the future and then send them on there way.

Marlene moved out yesterday. I wasn't sure how I was going to react to this. If we were talking about the me 6 months ago, I probably would have shed a tear (or ten), helped her get ready and probably try to just visit before she left. However, I have noticed in the last 5 months that the way I feel when people come in and out of my life has changed drastically. I want to make a side note here and say that this in no way changes the way I would/do react when around family and close friends.

Many people in the last 5+ months have come into and out of my life. Some for just one day, some for 3 days up to 3 weeks and a couple for the whole length of my stay here in Italy. It really depends on who they are and what type of connection we make in that time but really the result has (for the most part) always been the same.

Some of them I have added to facebook and we have and still will communicate that way. Others, I have spent a wonderful day or weekend with doing some life changing things and yet at the end of the day I leave without even the thought of getting an email address or other ways to stay in touch. At the beginning I was a little upset at this process as it seemed to be the "European way". Then, as time went on, I realized they were right. It really is, just the way it is. I might not have been able to do some of the things I have done without some of these people by my side.

This is what travelling solo does to you. It makes you open your eyes to your surroundings and the people around you. Everyone that I have shared a day or more with I will never forget. I am sure of that. For one reason or another they have helped me along this journey I am on and for that I am grateful.

So, Marlene left about 2pm yesterday. We hugged, said our goodbyes and wished each other well. Not three hours later, the new girl moved in. It should be an interesting last 10 days. ;)