A big red sign told us to turn around, but we decided to jump out of the car. Right in front of us there was a picture perfect view of the mountains. We were so glad we went the wrong way. Four weeks of driving in a rental car was exhausting, but it was one of the best experiences of my life.
As I traveled, I tried my best to personally connect to all the wonderful things I was experiencing. By being around so many different individuals and cultures, I had experiences I never anticipated I would enjoy so much in a new environment. Each country, each region, each busy city, the different modes of transportation, and the calm countryside had unqiue aspects. The music, food, and languages were all connected to each culture. To experience it all is impossible because the different ways of living are endless. It's amazing to travel and see new things. At the same time, I sometimes felt anxious being away from home and not having anything familiar around you is scary. I felt a lot of pressure to be connected more to the deep historical roots of all the European countries I visited. I am so glad I am finally taking the time to reflect on my traveling from the past three years. It encourages me that what I went through made me more confident and brave to talk about interesting things in different countries! My travels have made me even more passionate about learning, and I appreciate the experiences that I have so much because it has opened up my mind to understanding diverse and vibrant cultures.
