trains, planes, and new friends

The rest of my time in Europe went by in a whirlwind of planes, trains, and new friends. There are about 1,001 things that I loved about Europe, but one thing in particular I've really come to love are long train rides. And wow have I had a lot of those. But it became my respite admist busy movement. There was this space and time to think as I got to watch the world pass by outside the window.  I am going to miss those train rides as I leave Europe...


Florence & Venice

View from the top of the cathedral in Florence.

I was greeted in Florence by Sara and Besmir. Thank you dear Marte Samuelstuen for connecting me to these two wonderful people! Highlight: After a homemade Italian meal from Sara, I hit the city. Stop 1: a 430+ stair climb to the top of the cathedral. It was worth every step. The sun was just going down and the city lights were coming up. I could see for miles in every direction. It was this great moment where I was reminded not to rush, and to just take a depth breath and enjoy.

Best. canoli. ever. In Venice.

Venice happened in a flash. I arrived in the morning and left that night to catch a night train to Munich. Venice is as picturesque as I've heard and immediately enchanting with its chanals, boats, and amazing buildings. But admist the beauty I was also sad to see so much commercialism. I know Venice isn't the first or the last city to commodify its natural beauty but it just struck me as I was there. I just kept wondering if we can open up places to be enjoyed without partially destroying them. This question gives me food for thought as I wander through places as a tourist...


Munich & Salzburg

Looking out at the lakes and mountains outside of Salzburg.

The theme of the following 4 days in Germany and Austria was making friends.The first night in Munich I met Angie and Joe from Colorado - they sort of saved me from an awkward conversation at a restaurant I was at and we spent the night talking, dancing, and listening to German folk music. The next day I met Maron who, after our day tour, invited me to go to an ice hockey game with her husband and daughter. Go Germany! And then there was the group of teachers who invited me to dinner with them after our Sound of Music tour in Salzburg (yes, I did the tour and it was awesome!!!!! I felt like I was 10 years old again and loved every second of it!). The group of us ate at this 120+ year old restaurant run by monks - wow, it was go-od. Then there was Amelie and the Miessner family that I met at Taize who hosted me for a night and gave me a tour around the Black Forrest area in Germany before I headed back to Paris. Mrs. Miessner even took me to her weekly dance class where a group of about 12 of German women, 1 guy, and I danced to Russian, Greek, and other Eastern music for a couple hours. By far one of my most random but favorite memories!


A quick stop in Dublin

New friend Chloe! She was so fun!

I had a short 24 hour layover in Dublin and was so grateful to connect with Chloe (Shout out to Sarah Weber for connecting us!). She became an insta-friend. We wandered the streets of Dublin, did some shopping, and talked about life. It definitely was, as Chloe said, a "whistlestop tour" but I got a tinsy taste of the city and enjoyed super fun company.

A beautiful, peaceful park in Munich, Germany.

Making new friends has definitely been one of my favorite parts of traveling. I think something changes in the way we see "the other" when traveling. Instead of seeing others as strangers in your way, they are like you, just enjoying a journey, and in that spirit there is more welcome and invitation to friendship. I hope to try to create this "traveler's culture" in my life at home. To invite people in my journey, like people did for me, offering hospitality in small ways when I can. I am grateful for this lesson.  

I'm nearly 2 months into this journey and there are no words that sum anything up. If anything I have so many more questions about the world and myself, but I'm learning. I'm learning how to hold onto this whole experience loosely, like a loaned gift. My tendency often is to grip tightly to goodness, as if I can control it. But in reality goodness can't be contained in one place, one person, one experience. The bigger lesson is how to continue to see and receive goodness in a new day and new place, not trying to drag something along from the past. I miss home, the comfort of people who know me deeply, and I am ok with that. I have to let myself feel it all, knowing its all part of the journey. Next stop is Guatemala. I'm totally exhausted in everyway but excited for this last chapter. Much love!