When in Rome

Oh the places you'll go and the people you'll meet. When you travel with a group try not to fall on you feet. - Dr Seuss (edited by L.L. Cornstarch).

The travel craze lately has been focused on traveling alone. My own travels have emulated this trend as I've treaded through 7 countries with only myself by my side. I have loved the challenge of finding out who I am and stretching my comfort zones. Meeting new people came easy because I was forced to rely on strangers for a lot of my needs. However, I have had my share of group travels as well, including a most recent trip with a group of 30 students to Rome, Italy. Well it may be obvious that I prefer one way to travel over the other, it does not mean that one is necessarily better than the other - they are just different. Those differences are influenced by the group dynamic as well as the size of the group. Here are the main differences that I discovered:

(1) Spontaneity has a different meaning in a large group because everything is planned and there is a schedule and a route to the way the day moves. It's harder to veer off course and see a sight thats not on the schedule. It's harder to fully rest on your break when you know you have to keep walking in 10 min. However, everything is planned for you. Instead of me fumbling through the ticket line to get into museums or finding out which churches to see, things are already taken care of and I just follow the group where they lead me. I definitely saw more sites with a group than I did on my own. There were two different styles of learning. On my own it was all about about learning through experiencing the culture and walking around. With the group it was all about the sites and learning the history behind them.

(2) Other people's opinions matter. You have a other people to consider when you are with a group - their expectations, their tolerances, habits, likes and dislikes. For example, making choices for dinner. Instead of one opinion you get about a million. You also notice that more people are indecisive when it comes to a group because they want everyone included, and then you run across those people that take charge. Personalities really come to light in groups. When you travel alone it is up to you to fulfill all the group roles.

(3) So many people to talk to. You can just float around from person to person as you walk, making conversation as you go. You might get separated from you convo buddy for a block or two and you have a few choices find a new one, meet back up with them or walk by yourself. What makes a conversation work? Anything. Anything at all! Name you poison. What did you think of church number 7? Number 23? Number 370? Would you visit Rome again? Would you live in Rome? Where else have you travelled? What do you love most about the Netherlands? You name it and it goes, even if for one short convo.

Travel far enough, you meet yourself - Cloud Atlas

     Traveling is where I became confident in finding my way through the unknown. It all started with a single plane ride across the Atlantic (okay maybe two planes) where I met a family that was unknown to me at first, where I experienced a culture that was unfamiliar. I briefly tasted what it is like to travel and live out of your backpack for 3 days, 6 days, 12 days! I traveled by myself and with groups of people. I watched the sun rise and set in more than one country. I shared countless stories that may have caused a few people to be jealous. I hopefully shared a few that inspired at least one person to pursue their desire to travel (even if its a short trip across the pond).
 
     There it is, the end of my travel adventures. But, to say it is the final end would be a lie so let me re-phrase that to say: my travel adventures are wrapping up here in Europe and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the next time a door like this opens up.

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Lord thank you for your continued protection as my travel adventures of the semester come to a close.

#katiespiceurope
#travel

The Balancing Tale

"Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends.You are constantly off balance."

- Cesare Pavese 

Traveling can balance you and leave you unbalanced at the same time. Life happens at home when you are not around, trains take longer than you think and you end up taking 6 different trains sometimes to get where you want to go, traveling makes you tired. 

After walking the streets of Italy, and wondering the ruins of Athens, after several hours of train rides to Paris, Copenhagen, Goteborg, and Oslo I came to a realization that despite the joy of traveling to someplace new its hard because I started to feel off balance. 

In all of those places, I encountered water and sailboats! In those times when I've been traveling, I felt like I was on my sail boat. You set off looking out onto the water, wanting to feel the waves splash across your boat, wanting to catch the wind, go fast go far, race the other boats, see the sun set from the middle of the lake, explore the other side. However, what you don't realize is how strong the winds get in the middle, how confusing the winds can get when they come from multiple directions, and how when you're in the middle of the lake how much balance it takes to keep your boat from capsizing. When a gust of wind comes you have a couple different options: (1) let out your sail, slow down, don't capsize. (2) sheet in the sail, catch the wind, hike out, balance the boat. (3) sheet in, catch the wind, forget about balance and end up in the water. There are many other variations but these are the main three. When you've been sailing for a while, finding the balance of the boat comes naturally, knowing what to do in situations is like knowing your own name. 

I don't have that luxury yet of knowing balance on a study abroad program or knowing the balance of traveling like I do the sailboat. Life is all about finding and creating balance between social time and alone time, balance between too much sugar and the "right" amount, balance between talking too much and talking too little, balance between family and traveling, balance between studying and traveling. We are faced with this challenge of balance everyday. So how do I find and create balance between all these aspects?

This is what I have learned so far. Balance is about being flexible.When I look at water it reminds me of something my dad always said to me. That you just need to let things run off your cheek like water and oil. Or something like that... who knows what he actually he said because I was crying so much when he said it! Essentially, he was saying that I need to let things go so that the world around me can rebalance itself. When you're on a sailboat and you know you can't balance your boat, there is one thing you can do, we call it the safety position, let go of the tiller and the main sheet and your boat turns into the wind, you may feel a little wobbly, but it gives you time to collect yourself and your boat. It gives you time to rebalance. 

Balance is about knowing your limits. Balance is about being able to say that you know yourself well enough to not be afraid to say no or say I need to stop - to let go of a few things in order to collect yourself. Balance is about knowing what your priorities are and what needs focus for the world around you to rebalance itself.

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Heavenly Father, in you we find balance. May we draw closer to you everyday so that we can experience that balance so that we can experience shalom.

#katiespiceurope
#travel

On my own but not Alone

Chances are, people you meet when you travel alone will be incredibly interesting people.

Eleven nights on my own (living out of one small backpack), traveling and exploring the southern part of Europe by myself. Some call me adventurous, while others call me crazy. The number one question that I get asked is "Don't you get lonely." My reply... Yes, of course I do because we are creatures meant to be in relationship with other humans. I miss having conversations over meals and sharing a good laugh as we walk away from a bizarre situation. I miss the security of having a buddy when I walk down a sketchy street and having someone to talk to in order to avoid the awkward social exchange with strangers.  

But, was I every truly alone? No, with God by my side I was never alone. When I was feeling lonely there was always something or someone that came my way to give me laughter and give me company. Here are 5 stories from my trip where God provided a good laugh, comfort, and companionship.

(1) Have you ever been hit on by an 80 year old man? Well I have! His name is Aldo. He lives in Genoa, Italy, the city I took a spontaneous day trip to. At first I thought that Aldo was offering to take my picture for me, but instead he wanted to show me the Cathedral. He barely spoke English so our conversation was a lot of famous American Songs that Aldo would hum and I would sing a line or two. Inside the Church, Aldo showed me the bomb that didn't explode. As we talked Aldo would call me "bella donna, bonita!" At one point, he started to hum "here comes the bride." Before, I said my goodbyes we went for the Italian two cheek kiss, but heading towards the second cheek I was staring at Aldo's lips! Don't worry I didn't kiss him, I just called him a sneaky man and walked off with a wave. Ciao!

This is the sneaky Aldo!

(2) Have you ever mistaken a garbage can for something else? Julie did! Julie and Becca are a mother daughter duo visiting Venice the same day I did. I didn't meet them until the end of the day, but our short conversation and company on the long train ride filled me with joy. The day was gloomy, rainy, and tiring. I barely stopped walking except to take a boat ride, eat food, and visit a couple churches. The company of this mother daughter duo reminded me that its the little things that make you smile. For example, all trains come equipped with a trash can, Julie didn't realize this and thought the box was for wet umbrellas. Becca was so embarrassed that her mom put the umbrellas in the trash can, but we all found it comical and had a good laugh for a short time.

(3) Have you ever wanted a butt like a man in an old painting? Not until Milan I didn't. There's nothing like the company of people who you can call your own. Luke, Eliana, Sarah came to visit Milan, where I was their guide for the day. We spent the afternoon laughing at silly jokes, such as how firm the butts of some of the men in paintings are!

(4) Have you ever met an Angel? Well, I met an Angela in Athens. She was a true blessing, dispelling any uncomfortable feelings I had in a new city. Angela is a Taiwanese Business women, who stayed in the same hostel as me. Within 5 minutes of meeting her she invites me to eat with her. Every night in Athens, Angela and I would go out to eat and each night I would learn something more about her life, her business, her travels! This just goes to show that companionship comes in many forms.

First night in Athens with Angela

(5) Have you ever been so excited to talk to a complete stranger? After a 11 days of being on your own, a simple conversation can bring a smile to your face. On the train ride from Thessaloniki to Athens, I was tired, I was anxious, and all I wanted was something familiar. Thats when I met Elias, a 19 year old boy. We came from different places, and had different experiences, but it was the ease of conversation about school, music, and dreams for the future felt familiar. In our short conversation before we each drifted off to sleep, I felt assured that friends can be made at any time and in any place!

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When you travel by yourself you learn a lot about who you are, what gives you strength, and where your foundation lies. One of the biggest lessons I learned on this trip was to put my full reliance in God. I had to trust that He would light my path and provide for me every step of the way. He provided friends and company to remind me that even when I travel by myself, I am never truly alone. He goes before me and walks right beside me. Never did he leave. Not once.

Matt Redman, Never Once:

"Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
...
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did you leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful"

Father God, your faithfulness continues to amaze me. Thank you for never letting go of my hand and always keeping me in your presence.

#katiespiceurope
#AdventureTime
#SB2k16

42 thoughts on 42 hours Berlin, Germany

42 hours that is all it took for me to fall in love Germany (well, Berlin because thats all we saw, but you get my point). So, what better way to express my adventures in Berlin than 42 thoughts on my 42 hours. Some points are short, some are long. Some are pros, some are cons. Some you'll read, and most you'll gloss over. But, all explain my 42 hours traversing Berlin - 1 girl and 2 guys!

1. Public Transportation day pass cost €7. Use on tram, subway, and buses. 
2. Public Transportation exact change is preferred otherwise you hold up the entire bus.
3. Reichstag Building. A perfect spot to take pictures of other people taking pictures.
4. There is always a lot of people around the Brandenburg Gate, but if you can place yourself just right you can see the Victory Column through the middle of the gate. #PicturePerfect
5. The Victory Column marked a victory of war and also suffered the effects of a different war. 
6. Climb the 294 stairs to the top of the Victory Column for €3.
7. Five main streets form rays of a sun around the roundabout surrounding the Victory column
8. I would feel safe as a single girl walking around, but this trip I was with 2 guys (my body guards as my host family labeled them). 
9. Food! Let's just say Germans have good taste! Sauerkraut, Goulash, Spätzle. 
10. Food part two: Schnitzel! A must-have if you visit Germany. 
11. Berlin Central Station is huge! Know which platform your train leaves from beforehand. 
12. Soviet Memorial, the memorial is in Russian, but there is a portion behind it that has Russian, German, and English. 
13. Street Artists: People juggle in the middle of the road on a red light! What!?
14. Street artists part two: There was a bear (well a man in a bear suit), and a man playing a music box.
15. Credit cards are accepted at most every place except small cafes and restaurants. 
16. Pedestrian buttons: Don't be fooled if the button doesn't depress because in Berlin the "buttons" are sensors.
17. Postcard stamps €0,90
18. T-Mobile Thank You for International Coverage!
19. So many cars! 
20. Be prepared to be jostled in the buses. 
21. One day it's Sunny the next it's snowing! (Reminds me of home)
22. Directions - figure out which direction you are facing and match that up with the map before you start walking. I should have learned this from NYC, yet I still start walking and then realize two blocks later I am going the wrong direction. 
23. You can't see everything. No matter how much you plan, and how much you walk, and how late you stay up. You cannot see everything. Even if you live in an area for 42 years you will never see everything. 
24. I don't look German so most people spoke English to me. 
25. Trash cans are orange. Do not mistake them for post boxes (Post boxes in the Netherlands are orange).
26. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe features 2,711 stelae reinforcing the enormity of this horrific event in history. 
27. It's perfectly okay to play tourist for a day! Just make sure that you find at least one "off the beaten path" place on your trip. 
28. Topography of Terror Museum is Free!
29. German History Museum. Students €4 with ID. 
30. Checkpoint Charlie: 1 of 3 checkpoints along the Berlin Wall. 
31. Berlin Wall. There are pieces all over the city, with graffiti on them. Most famous spots are at Checkpoint Charlie and Topography of Terror Museum. 
32. Beer! My first dark beer since I've been abroad. A true German Beer, now that is the way to go!
33. Coffee shops. Don't worry, in Germany, coffee is not synonymous for pot. 
34. Travel buddies. They make life interesting. You learn a lot about them, especially if you share a room for two nights and spend 54 consecutive hours with them. You learn that one blow dries his hair and the other gets hangry pretty fast. 
35. Hostels are nice if you're on a budget, but if you have some wiggle room go for an apartment or an Air BnB, you won't be disappointed. 
36. When in Europe travel by train. It might take a longer time, but you get fantastic views of different cities, and of the landscape. 
37. Train travel part two: Don't worry about reservations on Bahn (German trains)
38. Walking. Most everything can be reached by walking so be prepared to walk a lot.
39. Good walking shoes. Even if you are planning on only using public transportation, the small distances you'll be walking you will most likely encounter uneven ground. (i.e. brick walk ways). Have a good pair of sturdy shoes because your feet will thank you.
40. I always pack too much!
41. Mail boxes - YELLOW! Need I say more?

Leaving Berlin Hbf

Lord, Thank you for your protection and guidance. May I follow your ways the rest of my days.

#katiespiceurope

#AdventureTime