As I am writing this post, we have been in Germany for a little bit over a week. This is crazy to think about because it feels like it has flown by. What has astonished me and been my favorite part of my experience here so far is simply how well all of us get along and have bonded so so fast. We each came into this blind, knowing no one else, but we have so quickly become fast friends that I know will not end with the end of this experience. My favorite memory made alongside these people so far has been the spontaneous decision to take the train to Luxembourg for dinner after a day off we spent in Trier. We had time to stay for about an hour, rush eat dinner, spend way too much on dinner without even realizing, make the train, get stuck for 45 min as they added another train car to the almost completely empty train, sprint through the train station to make our connection, and finally make it home by about 12:30, by the grace of God.
Apart from my fellow students, getting to know my host mom has been amazing too. She loves to garden and cooks the most fresh meals. I was a little worried at first that I would simply be eating vegetables the whole time after the first two dinners being a roasted vegetable medley the first night and then a salad the next. While I would have definitely been ok either way, I am glad to know we have some protein in the mix too :). She does work on the weekends and we have been gone most of this week, so I look forward to the opportunity to continue to get to know her better. She seriously is the sweetest woman, opening her home to us and taking care of us as her own.
The most difficult thing for me has been not to stress over the train schedule. I have come to realize that they will almost always have a delay or some sort of issue, so with that in mind I am now able to plan accordingly and try to come to terms with the idea that there is just nothing you can do about a stalled train. What is going to happen will and it's simply about going with the flow here.
Lastly, I think the biggest area for growth so far for me has simply been getting out of my comfort zone, like I said above, and going with the flow. Go on random adventures and embrace new things because this is a once in a lifetime experience.
Thanks for reading, and I cant wait for the rest of this ride with y'all!
Yes!! I absolutely love our friend group that has blossomed over our time here. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people. If we made this many memories within the span of one week I cannot imagine how many we will have with five more weeks!
ReplyDeleteCaroline! I have loved getting to know you and experience this trip with you so far! It is so fun to see how everyone has meshed together and brings their own personal uniqueness to the group. That trip to Luxembourg was so fun! It was definitely an experience I will never forget. I am so excited to see what the rest of the trip holds!
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