I did not realize how long it has been since I had traveled last. My assessment of the past travel experiences was offset by my memories of traveling movements in the military. We were told what and when to pack as well as be where to be and when, so this time, by contrast, was vastly different. I chose to keep with my usual fashion and packed later than sooner, knowing my anxiety would ask if I packed this or that constantly if I packed ahead of time. However, aside from packing, having Memorial Day occurring during my preparation time was something I failed to account for. It quickly started to feel like a nice gourmet dinner that was intended to be eaten slow, now was going to be put all into a blender and drank through a straw due to time constraints. In the end everything did work out with the exception of missing my first bus to the airport but this also was remedied with the next hourly departure.
I was pleasantly surprised there was no traffic on the first highway section but soon discovered the highway section after the first stop after I boarded was hording all the traffic candy and not sharing. While I watched the traffic and imagined everyones' different travel situations, I couldn't help but feel how amidst all packing preparation and last minute tasks to complete, I was gifted with a reconnection with an old friend. This was more than a fantastic addition to this already wonderful language learning trip I was setting off for.
The bus was and is much of the same that is to be expected, lots and lots of .....well, everything, but atleast the view and air-conditioning was nice. Everyone here seems to be in high spirits and it makes me feel even more excited to this Study Abroad trip. I keep finding myself thinking on my experiences with people learning english and how everyone who they interact with is, for the most part, helpful and polite. In those situations I try to be as helpful, patient and understanding as I possibly can, but I have never, until now, thought about life in their shoes. I have to say now I tip my hat off to them. From everything I have heard the hardest thing I will face is leaving at the end. It sounds like such an incredible place and I too may end up like some songs talk about, and leave a suitcase in Berlin because it is such an incredible place and I will want to go back every chance I can. I am both excited to fly again, it has been too long, but also the lengthy layover in-between flights. Maybe I can take some pictures there, after all I will have time......
I was pleasantly surprised there was no traffic on the first highway section but soon discovered the highway section after the first stop after I boarded was hording all the traffic candy and not sharing. While I watched the traffic and imagined everyones' different travel situations, I couldn't help but feel how amidst all packing preparation and last minute tasks to complete, I was gifted with a reconnection with an old friend. This was more than a fantastic addition to this already wonderful language learning trip I was setting off for.
The bus was and is much of the same that is to be expected, lots and lots of .....well, everything, but atleast the view and air-conditioning was nice. Everyone here seems to be in high spirits and it makes me feel even more excited to this Study Abroad trip. I keep finding myself thinking on my experiences with people learning english and how everyone who they interact with is, for the most part, helpful and polite. In those situations I try to be as helpful, patient and understanding as I possibly can, but I have never, until now, thought about life in their shoes. I have to say now I tip my hat off to them. From everything I have heard the hardest thing I will face is leaving at the end. It sounds like such an incredible place and I too may end up like some songs talk about, and leave a suitcase in Berlin because it is such an incredible place and I will want to go back every chance I can. I am both excited to fly again, it has been too long, but also the lengthy layover in-between flights. Maybe I can take some pictures there, after all I will have time......