Today I started writing randomly about
my adventures in Europe. A few hours later, this happened....
Four months ago from this day, a few friends dropped me off at the
airport in Denver Colorado. That was the beginning.
As I turned and walked into the airport I knew I wasn't only leaving the people and places I had come to know and love, I was leaving myself. But that was the goal, wasn't it? This was my turn to do anything I wanted! It was a strange feeling having so many options. I had no job, no commitments, no more school (uni), nothing! I felt free! For the first time in my life I really had no plans at all! Just a one way ticket to London, a 28L backpack full of clothes and a camera, and a train pass.
I still remember trying to explain to the UK customs officer that I knew what I was doing.
He was very skeptical when he found out I had no place to stay, no phone, no previous travel experience, no emergency contacts, and didn't know a single person in the whole country.
He went and talked to a coworker for a minute and I could see him reference me as they shared a laugh.
He returned and asked in an incredibly sarcastic manner "so this is your big European trip where you find yourself"?
My immediate answer was yes! with a blissfully ignorant smile on my face, but I quickly realized that's what he had just been laughing about.
I sheepishly added "I bet you hear that a lot", trying to boost my credibility.
He chuckled softly and shook his head as he stamped my passport.
After about 25 minutes of interrogation I was finally in!
Where am I?
Where's all the famous stuff I see in pictures?
I managed to catch a train into the city and there it was!
Then all of the sudden it hit me...
I was alone, out of water, a little cold, and had no clue what I was doing.
That first few weeks were rough. I met some amazing people, but really didn't know what to do with myself yet.
I have always been a shy person, and although the setting of the trip was in Europe and I've been lots of exciting places, the real journey was always to find myself.
The first real clue came in Bruges when I happened to meet 3 fantastic fellows in a hostel.
We spent the next few days rummaging around the city and drinking Belgian beer. This was what I needed. A good confidence booster to open me up a little and show me it's not as hard as it seems to meet people.
From here I jumped in head first.
I began meeting people left and right. There were times when I thought it was impossible not to make new friends along the way.
I learned so much, not just about Europe and culture, but about people.
About myself.
I met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences.
I realized I had become more open with complete strangers than I was with my own family.
I was willing to share my life with someone who I had only just met and may never talk to again, but why!
Maybe it's the lack of risk... They see you in this moment they don't know who you are and don't know anyone you know.
It's almost some unspoken bond that creates trust.
I wrote a few letters and sent a few messages.
I figured I would start with a few people and work my way out.
It can be strange and difficult to tell people very honest personal things after knowing them so long and never showing them this side of me before.
All I have to say about this decision is it was worth it.
I finally realized how much all these people meant to me.
The weather wasn't great, there weren't any other people around, and I didn't know what was waiting for me in the future.
Although there are a few similarities, I must point out the differences.
I have found myself. I put myself through as many tests as possible and came out on top.
I don't feel lost; I'm not running from anything, I'm just content with where I am.
It's nice to have a quiet afternoon to sit, and reflect on my travels.
Well, as some of you know, I'll be home in just a few days now.
Iceland is the last stop on the journey for me.
But it's not really the end.
It's the beginning.
I have new friends, new stories, new incentives, and new aspirations, but I also have old friends, old stories, old goals and aspirations.
I want to share them with anyone and everyone who is willing to not only listen, but to talk as well.
I may have a handful of new stories to share, but I'm sure all of you do too!
And I want to hear them!
I don't want to start over, but I do want things to change.
I'm different now, and I believe it's for the better.
I can't help but think of the man who laughed at me when I arrived in England.
If he could only see me now...
I have lived and learned so much in the last 4 months it's still hard to believe it actually happened sometimes.
It's difficult to put words to all the thoughts I have roaming around in my head, but I think this was a solid attempt... for now.
I hope this.... letter sort of thing... finds you well, and perhaps gives you the courage to change something in your life.
If you have any questions, need advice, have advice, or anything else, let me know!
I would love to grab coffee/tea/beer/lunch sometime!
As I turned and walked into the airport I knew I wasn't only leaving the people and places I had come to know and love, I was leaving myself. But that was the goal, wasn't it? This was my turn to do anything I wanted! It was a strange feeling having so many options. I had no job, no commitments, no more school (uni), nothing! I felt free! For the first time in my life I really had no plans at all! Just a one way ticket to London, a 28L backpack full of clothes and a camera, and a train pass.
I still remember trying to explain to the UK customs officer that I knew what I was doing.
He was very skeptical when he found out I had no place to stay, no phone, no previous travel experience, no emergency contacts, and didn't know a single person in the whole country.
He went and talked to a coworker for a minute and I could see him reference me as they shared a laugh.
He returned and asked in an incredibly sarcastic manner "so this is your big European trip where you find yourself"?
My immediate answer was yes! with a blissfully ignorant smile on my face, but I quickly realized that's what he had just been laughing about.
I sheepishly added "I bet you hear that a lot", trying to boost my credibility.
He chuckled softly and shook his head as he stamped my passport.
After about 25 minutes of interrogation I was finally in!
Where am I?
Where's all the famous stuff I see in pictures?
I managed to catch a train into the city and there it was!
Then all of the sudden it hit me...
I was alone, out of water, a little cold, and had no clue what I was doing.
That first few weeks were rough. I met some amazing people, but really didn't know what to do with myself yet.
I have always been a shy person, and although the setting of the trip was in Europe and I've been lots of exciting places, the real journey was always to find myself.
The first real clue came in Bruges when I happened to meet 3 fantastic fellows in a hostel.
We spent the next few days rummaging around the city and drinking Belgian beer. This was what I needed. A good confidence booster to open me up a little and show me it's not as hard as it seems to meet people.
From here I jumped in head first.
I began meeting people left and right. There were times when I thought it was impossible not to make new friends along the way.
I learned so much, not just about Europe and culture, but about people.
About myself.
I met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences.
I realized I had become more open with complete strangers than I was with my own family.
I was willing to share my life with someone who I had only just met and may never talk to again, but why!
Maybe it's the lack of risk... They see you in this moment they don't know who you are and don't know anyone you know.
It's almost some unspoken bond that creates trust.
I wrote a few letters and sent a few messages.
I figured I would start with a few people and work my way out.
It can be strange and difficult to tell people very honest personal things after knowing them so long and never showing them this side of me before.
All I have to say about this decision is it was worth it.
I finally realized how much all these people meant to me.
The weather wasn't great, there weren't any other people around, and I didn't know what was waiting for me in the future.
Although there are a few similarities, I must point out the differences.
I have found myself. I put myself through as many tests as possible and came out on top.
I don't feel lost; I'm not running from anything, I'm just content with where I am.
It's nice to have a quiet afternoon to sit, and reflect on my travels.
Well, as some of you know, I'll be home in just a few days now.
Iceland is the last stop on the journey for me.
But it's not really the end.
It's the beginning.
I have new friends, new stories, new incentives, and new aspirations, but I also have old friends, old stories, old goals and aspirations.
I want to share them with anyone and everyone who is willing to not only listen, but to talk as well.
I may have a handful of new stories to share, but I'm sure all of you do too!
And I want to hear them!
I don't want to start over, but I do want things to change.
I'm different now, and I believe it's for the better.
I can't help but think of the man who laughed at me when I arrived in England.
If he could only see me now...
I have lived and learned so much in the last 4 months it's still hard to believe it actually happened sometimes.
It's difficult to put words to all the thoughts I have roaming around in my head, but I think this was a solid attempt... for now.
I hope this.... letter sort of thing... finds you well, and perhaps gives you the courage to change something in your life.
If you have any questions, need advice, have advice, or anything else, let me know!
I would love to grab coffee/tea/beer/lunch sometime!
Not a single hotel reservation, no return flight, and no plans.
Now what...?
I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it would change me
forever.
I realized I needed this type of connection with the people I cared
about back home.
As I sit here, alone in a hostel in Iceland, I can't help but
think of the start of my trip.
So why does this all matter?
I would like to finish with a quote a friend of mine shared with
me. (Thanks Beth)
"You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a
place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person
you are now at this time and at this place, because you’ll never be this way
ever again."
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