Dear Europe, I may have to part from you for a bit, but I know I will see you again, soon.
You have taught me more in the past 3 months about not only myself, compassion humans can/should have for one another, foods my taste buds only dreamt about, how to make friends for life, sights that most will only see and read about in books, traveling, and about our world as a whole.
This leg of my journey isn't just about getting to watch the sunset on the Amalfi coast, watching European 'football, meeting people from all over the world, eating pizza (well kind of), seeing Buckingham Palace, exploring the stunning coast of Portugal, partying my ass off in Budapest, or exploring history at heart retching concentration camps. This journey is a reboot, of my human soul. Europe has taught me a lot thus far, but I still have 3 more months of learning, and living to do. I will say however, I am going to come back a different woman, and its something I will cherish for the rest of my days. I won't ramble on about what this adventure has done for me just yet, I will leave that for the finale of this journey.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about traveling over here alone, with everything going on in our crazy world. However, I haven't experienced anything that wouldn't happen to me in Dallas or any major city in America. If I was to go in a rural area in Turkey or Germany (to name a few), I felt the same as I would walking around in East Dallas. It is all about being alert, aware of your surroundings, and not letting your guard down, EVER. I am a girl, and without sounding conceited, I am a good looking girl, which draws attention, and sometimes it's unwanted (except from hot Dutch men, kidding. Kind of.). It comes with the territory and happens anywhere, it is just how you react to it. I have never felt threatened while here, or truly scared something was going to happen, but I have always reminded myself that I can't become too comfortable with that feeling because you never know what could happen...but you also can't live your life out of fear. If that was the case, after the shootings in Paris I would have never seen the Eiffel Tower, or a dozen other places.
When I am home and go to a new city I have a cell phone, internet, a car, can speak the language, navigation in my car, and can figure things out with a click of a button or nowadays its Siri. When traveling it is a little different, you arrive in a new city or country, with the map on your phone, name of the train station, the name of your hostel (if you've booked one), you don't know the language, and if you're lucky there is Wi-Fi in the train station. You have now arrived in a new city/country like a lost little puppy dog, and it may seem intimidating at first to ask for directions. I am very independent and self sufficient, probably more than I should be, so who am I to ask for directions? Europe broke me down, and crushed my fresh travel spirit the moment I arrived, but what helped me more than Siri, was the advice and help from friendly, selfless humans. I am sure my facial expression just eluded the fact that I was lost and confused in Italy's Metro station...I mean WTF is a metro, and how do I use it, we don't have these in the states. People here could teach us a thing or two back in the states, if someone who didn't speak my language came up and started talking to me, I would probably say ''sorry I can't help you'' (and don't lie you would too) because I was in a hurry, and too focused on what I had going on to help others. I have hope for humans again, and Europe has taught me that. A girl in turkey missed her train to help me, and even rode with me to my next stop to make sure I got the right one at the next stop. A guy in Bucharest gave me a ride because the line was under construction (was waiting to tell my mother this story), and it would take me too long to get to another track, to loop around on another route to make my train. People in Europe have shown me what it means to be selfless, and show compassion for others.
Life here moves at a slower pace, and people are not in a hurry. People will stand and talk, talk, and talk, then maybe sit down and have wine or a café (espresso) and that's just how it goes. I don't think being punctual is a thing here, which we all know is perfect for me.
A good selfie requires you to know angles that cover up the extra pounds you have gained, which have started to sneak up and into what they call a 'double chin'. I would like to thank Europe for the extra 5+ pounds I have gained. I am a health conscience person, and without a gym here, I shouldn't eat every and anything I want here, but I have . I made eating Gelato at every famous cathedral in Italy a thing, and there are a lot of cathedrals, which means a lot of delicious gelato. I wasn't going to come here and see the sights, and not experience the fine, authentic cuisine these countries have to offer. Lord knows I love to cook, so not only am I letting my taste buds explore, I am also learning how to cook these foods, so when I return I will be more culturally domesticated. However, I will not try to duplicate Pizza from Naples (ok, maybe I'll go to Cane Rosso), fresh Mozzarella from Sorrento, fresh Greek salads in Greece, a morning Pastel De Nata from Portugal, Schnitzel in Germany, Fish and Chips in London, or seafood Paella in Spain, I will just revisit when I am hungry and feeling nostalgic.
I think we as Americans tend to lose in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, is what is really important to us. Family is everything here, kids are not in a rush to move out until they are getting married. Not because it is expensive to live on their own, but you spend as much time with your family before you venture out to create your own family. In the states we are in a rush to get away from our parents, its like a new found independence, when in fact I am sure most parents would love to have their kids linger around a little longer.
I believe everyone has seen the movie 'Taken' or 'Hostel' which has typically ruined the idea of staying in a hostel for most Americans. I am here to tell you that they are NOTHING like that, not even close. America is not backpacker friendly, while Europe embraces it. If I decide to go to a big city, there is at least 50 hostels to chose from, where in a rural town there might be about 10+ but Airbnb is also an option. Most of my friends back home are probably turning their noses up right now, but why would you want to stay in a hotel alone, with no one to talk to except at the lobby bar and even then people think you are a 'working girl' since your there at the bar alone. I will admit I was nervous at first but I won't stay in anything other than a hostel for the rest of my journey. First of all you DON'T have to stay in a huge dorm room with a bunch of people, but you can if you want, and personally it isn't that bad, and that is how I have met some of my best travel buddies. Typically there is a common room, kitchen, bar, lounge, lockers, 24 hour security and other necessary essentials that make backpacking more leisurely if you will. Think of it this way, everyone staying in a hostel is there for the same reasons, they are backpacking, most are solo, need a refreshing place to stay before they are on to the next place, and it's super easy to meet and strike up a conversation with someone likeminded. I have met some of the coolest people who I am still in contact with, whom I would of never met had it not been for me staying in one. People are from all walks of life, from all over the world, but all have one goal...travel.
Before coming to Europe, I have used public transportation in the states roughly 5 times,
(yes, I can count how many). I am not talking about taxis, planes, and ubers, I am talking about trains, metros, buses, tram and whatnot. I am sure most of you think I am crazy at this point because in America we have trains but they mainly carry cargo, while only a few cities have a underground system, and who rides the dart unless you are taking it to Mockingbird Station for the St. Patrick's Day parade. I read blogs, websites, and whatnot before coming over here and for going everywhere I was going, taking the train made the most sense with an occasional flight and long distance bus. Lets be honest, I had no idea what to expect, I had never taken a train in my life. Today as I am writing this, I am taking my very last train here in Europe, and I give a big kudos to the European rail system, they have thoroughly impressed me overall. The trains here range from very basic, if its a regional train, and all the way up to having private sleeping quarters with a personal rail attendant for overnight trains for long distance travels. Public transportation is used more than cars here, and it is so easy to navigate (once you get the hang of it) and so affordable. About 90% of the cities have a metro system, tram and bus system and for the smaller cities, they have one or the other. It amazed me how many people use public transportation, bike or walk.
While on the subject of travel, I couldn't help but notice the amount of travelers across the countries who were from Europe, on a 'weekend trip'. Must be nice, to just go to Spain or Italy for the weekend, but they are able to do so because travel within Europe is so CHEAP! Whether it is by a bus, train or a flight, they are all ridiculously cheap. The buses are nice, and most have Wi-Fi and a restroom, the trains are normally nice dependent upon which country you are in, and most flights include a meal, and one checked bag. Buses range from $6 to $24, trains vary significantly all upon which kind of train you want, which country, which class, and I had a Eurail Pass so I just hopped onto most trains. Ladies and gents I am about to knock your socks off when it comes to flights; I met a group of girls in Milan from London, just having a last min girls weekend, all because they found last min flights to Milan...ROUNDTRIP...for $22. Yes, $22, and that's Twenty Two American dollars because I converted everything for you. Granted theirs just included a carry on, and not a checked bag, but there is no way in hell could I get a flight that cheap in the states, yet alone drive to Austin for $22 unless I was splitting it with 4 people, and crammed into a smart car. My flight to Greece was $62 which included a meal, 1 checked bag and 1 carry on, and I thought I was getting a good deal, which this was on the expensive side for a flight to Greece. I need to get off this subject quick because I just get so frustrated with looking at flights home and how much they are, granted I am flying halfway around the world and over a large body of water, but still.
Do you remember World History from 5th grade, because I certainly do not. I loved history in school, but I have learned more from traveling, taking tours, getting lost in the cities, and just amercing myself into different cultures. I remember Mrs. Martins Latin class and dreaming of getting to see the Temple of Zeus, and the ruins of Pompeii but never in a million years did I think that one day I would be lost in this ancient city, or having a cappuccino on the steps to the acropolis. My papa played the accordion and loved to polka dance, which is a Czech thing and I really didn't appreciate it all until I made my visit to the Czech Republic, it was very reminiscent of my papa, and made me want to learn more about my heritage there. I have a thing for WWII history and you read about the horrible, awful, inhumane things the Nazi's did to people in camps, but you it doesn't really weaken your soul until you step foot into an actual concentration camp. I can't explain the feelings that takes over your body, and the thoughts that cross your mind, they are too disturbing, and I still can't fathom how people did those things to other human beings and how it went on for so long. I encourage all history buffs to do yourself a favor and travel. America is young with a few hundred years of history, but NOTHING like Europe.
Here in Europe the family name means everything, you do NOT bring disgrace to your fathers name, and divorce is kind of a No-No. I met a married women at a hostel, she was taking time away from her husband, and explained the whole situation, and also that you don't divorce here. That as you get older things change in your life, and sometimes you two just need a vacation/time apart, to hit the reset button with yourself before you move forward. She told me if you are broken, you need to be fixed before you can begin to fix your relationship. I agree, and respect their way of holding up their vows.
Dogs are welcome everywhere in Europe, on a bus, train, and most stores, and there are no leash laws, so people walk and their dogs just follow, it must be a European dog thing.
Samson would
LOVE it!!
People walk, bike and run EVERYWHERE, which is why they think Americans are lazy and fat, which we are, but it is astonishing how in shape people are here. But their buying habits are different here, they don't have big supermarkets and buy everything fresh, smaller portions and they aren't as many pesticides in their foods, hence why the leave out their eggs, milk, butter, and other things we have to refrigerated back home. Also, their portions here are so so so much smaller, which took some getting use to (wait, then how did I gain 5+ pounds) and they joked at times if I wanted an 'American' size, ha.
I saved the best for last, so if you make it this far in this winded post you will know what has touched me the most. Which that is to not stereotype people and write them off based on arbitrary factors like race, religion, or sexual orientation. Something I hope a lot of my friends and family back home could learn. I could have been easily written off as 'that American' many of times, or I could have done that to a dozen or so people but who am I to judge? I am thankful that I engaged each person with a open mind, because I have met some of the most inspiring, genuine souls over here.
Europe had me at hello, and is breaking my heart at goodbye (for now).
