It's Almost Unreal

I think the line from the old Roxette song describes it so well. It's all done and dusted and I hardly noticed it happening in the end. I've left the country, my flat, my job, my friends. A few days ago it was still "I will leave" or "I am leaving" and now it's a simple and sober "I've left". I've quit my job, terminated all my bills, said goodbye to everyone. That's actually what I thought would be the difficult part: saying goodbye. After knowing people for years and being quite close to some I had ... certain expectations. But, in fact, it still went the quickest while settling my accounts seemed to take ages. Time flies when you're enjoying yourself and, so, the moment I wanted to savour the most - looking everyone in the eye, shaking their hand or giving them a hug - was over in a flash. It was like always. With everyone busy at work I would often only see them every odd weekend (at most). Saying goodbye for a few weeks was not unusual. I actually struggle to use "was" here instead of "is". It takes some time to sink in that I may not see some of them again, that past tense is the appropriate form here.
And then, before I realise it, everything's packed and I'm at the airport checking in, passing security, taking my place on the plane. Again, it's something I've done so many times that it seems completely normal, a routine. This time, however, I only have a sinle ticket.
And so, the next day, I wake up again in the realm of the 19-year-old that left for UK almost seven years ago. The room is like a time-capsule and the last seven years like a dream. A few odd items and the long list of MSN contacts are the only reminders that it's not. Things feel very unreal. An entire chapter of my life has come to it's conclusion in a single hectic final day. And at the same time, very quietly, unceremoniously, a new one begins. It's not a "fade out, fade in" but a quick "wipe to".
As my good friend MY said: "this is not the last time we have dinner together before you leave but it's the first time we have dinner togther in this new chapter of your life." So, since we're here at the dawn of the new day, the new life, on the first page of a new chapter let me begin with the acknowledgements and special thanks:

I'd like to thank you all for your inspiration and support, input, help, advice and encouragement. Without you I wouldn't be where I am today - and I mean that in every best possible way. You've enriched my life and without you my time in the UK would have been unbearably boring. I wish you all the very best. I will meet new people on the way but I will not forget you!

Now, watch this space.