December 19, 2007–January 8, 2008, Number 172
The Last Hurrah
I am currently en route from the oldest city in Germany known as Trier to Luxemburg City, Luxemburg. I arrived in Germany two days ago and have already seen so much. This trip is quite different than my other international excursions because I am getting off the beaten path of major cities, and I have a personal tour guide who has lived in small town west Germany for all his life. These two factors combine for a pleasant ending to my four month, eight country hiatus from American culture and life. As everyone is familiar, with every great thing there comes an end, and I have to catch a plane in three days back to familiarity which may not be as familiar as I think. Life has thrown quite the bone at me in recent times, and it may take me awhile to gnaw on it and digest the lessons and realizations I have been living. As the time passes at home more reflections will certainly be made. But as of right now, there is still stuff to do, things to see, food to eat and memories to be made.
I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised with the ruggedness of West Germany’s terrain. I am told that there is or was a lot of volcanic activity that helped to shape the countryside. This is pretty evident from the crater lakes that can be found on the top of nearly every hill. Locally these bodies of water are known as Maare. I have also been pleasantly surprised with the abundance of castles around the area. I was even more surprised as I was taken to visit the airport where my travel companion enjoys flying a glider and was taken on a plane ride that provided a bird’s eye view of the surrounding lakes and castles. Wow! It was great to see the sites from the air that I had just discovered or was going to explore on the ground.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time on vacation with a local to the area is the hospitality shown. It’s absolutely great how people love to show off where they come from, or their favorite foods and places. I love that about people, no matter where you go people have a desire to give foreigners and guests the best experience as possible. And the great thing about experiencing something foreign is that nothing is ever boring or lame. It’s all new and can at least be categorized as interesting. I have to smile and chuckle a bit with the approaching Christmas season. It’s safe to say all of my gifts this year will be something from somewhere on my travels, and to be honest, it doesn’t even matter what they are. If I were to give some of these gifts to a local they may not be as appreciative, but to someone, say a family member or friend, who is completely unfamiliar with its origins, it is gold. This little truth has made holiday shopping a little easier.
On a little different note, the entire project that was my “main” focus of this semester is completely finished, and finished with flying colors I should add. I overall scored a 12 on the Danish grading scale. This is the highest mark you can get and will transfer as an “A”, so hard work has paid off. I am unsure though if everyone gets a 12 just for showing up. Reflections this week have been short because of the busyness of travelling and distractions of knowing home is just a few short days away.
I guess from the beginning of this little adventure I have realized that an end was inevitable. The last goodbyes have been said, and promises of future contact have been made. But there is still something mysterious about the end, a mystery that will take some time to unravel. I have touched on this in previous articles, but if there is one thing I have taken away from this experience, it’s the importance and benefit of reflection. Something that not only is good for experiences in different countries, but something that is just as good for normal everyday experiences. Ask anyone who is nearing the end of life, and they will have a little different perspective on things than young whippersnappers oblivious to the moving world around them consumed with the high energy of entertainment and life. I feel this experience has matured me, helped me to understand the things important to me, given me an opportunity to expand my horizons, and become a little more like the man I hope to someday be.
Although my study abroad semester in Denmark is ending, my articles will continue for at least a couple more weeks. After Christmas and the New Year, I will share more about the reflections of the semester, and coming home. Then I will give a couple suggestions for those who may decide to take on travels similar to mine that are so challenging but ultimately most rewarding.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
- Michigan Technological University
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