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| No wonder I was directionally challenged in Venice |
Trust me, most of my USAC friends know how lucky we are. Exciting opportunities, exhilerating experiences and seeing amazing destinations are what we all hope to learn and gain from our study abroad adventure. But to experience how modern European societies accept, appreciate and honor their past (history) is truly a memorable experience. To touch 1000 year-old monuments and tread centuries old cobblestone streets gives life to those history lessons we all have learned and probably forgotten. It also gives perspective to being part of an appreciative global community.
Of course, every field trip has its challenges. And I am totally learning that every day does not have to consist of jaw-dropping, fantastic experiences to be a great lesson in the field trip of life. If we all slow down and listen, we can all enjoy some serendipity moments. My special list for my field trip learning curve includes:
*getting 3 meals a day,
*a great shower you can actually turn around in,
*bus drivers that speak no English, but get off the bus with you and
walk 20 ft to point you in the right direction,
*learning to give up control and start practicing "No worries,"
*green grass
*ice cold water
*organ music being played in an ancient cathedral,
*running late and missing a train conection, only to find the train is
late, so you are really on time!
*when your plan goes awry and you realize it's not about me anyways...
there always is a bigger picture than your inwardly focused one,
*afternoon lattes in an outdoor cafe with a friend,
*4 hour dinners,
*trusting that I will always be safe,
*"right behind the church" really means, around the corner, take a left,
follow a path...and you always get where you're going,
*toilet paper,
*a 16 year-old young man that takes the time to walk most of the way
to a train station with you because you're lost,
*food tastes better when you carry it home from the market,
*conquoring fears,
*enjoying spontaneity,
*learning the instant gratification thing isn't so great after all,
*being grateful for grandmothers who love to help translate even when
they speak little or no English,
*And realizing every time you have a delay waiting for a bus, tram or
train is when you meet the most interesting people!
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| No worries |
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| security line in Venice airport |
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| free upgraded room! Bella! |
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| woman who had restored church frescoes |
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| making new friends on the train |
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| 1400 years old - Ravenna, Italy |
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| MK and Carmen with amazing drinks! |
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| Playing like a kid again! (Sardinia) |
