“…But I must freely confess, that the many virtues of those excellent quadrupeds placed in opposite view in human corruptions, had so far opened mine eyes, and enlarged my understanding…”
-Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift
Just like Gulliver, I have been on a journey. I have yet to encounter Yahoos, Laputa, or the people of Lilliput, but I have changed my perception of the world. Traveling has transformed how I think about life, and how I view myself. I have complied a (partial) list of things I’ve learned while traveling.
Accept kindness from strangers… With caution of course. In Rome, if it hadn’t been for that guy who claimed to work in “Hard film” I might never have found my hostel. If it hadn’t been for the old man in Sweden who loaned me his phone, I may have waited at the train station for hours. These little kindnesses are huge parts of my travels.
Check your pockets. Make sure you have everything. Keep track of your stuff. This is obvious, but becomes more so when your only access to food, water, and shelter is contained on your person. Traveling gives you a new appreciation for your funds, even if sometimes you are living only on bread and cheese.
Some of the best sites are not in any guidebook. My favorite place in Berlin? A café. My favorite place in Prague? A random street with a perfect view of the Prague Castle. I’ve found the importance of viewing the day-to-day life, and observing the everyday surroundings. The way people dress, their language, their interactions with each other oftentimes fascinate me far more than “Lots of old stuff’.
Budget. Then pad your budget. Had it not been for my “backup” funds, (thanks mom!) I would have been in several less-than-desirable situations. I did manage, for the most part, to keep within my budget however.
Trying to learn some words, especially “please” and “thank you” is a good way to meet people,. It’s fun to be able to stay “Tack!” in Sweden or “Danke sehr” in Germany. The well-known “Pog Mo Thoin” (kiss my ass) in Ireland was slightly less useful, but good to know.
It’s ok to enjoy your own company. In Europe I traveled both alone and with people. Both were great in their own ways, but I met far more people when I was alone. And if I got tired of those people, I had no obligation to hang around them.
I feel these adventures have given me a new appreciation for where I come from and the people around me. I’ve gained a better idea of who I am, and of human nature in general. That’s all for now... Check back soon for weekend photos!
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