Well, I leave in 12 days to visit a continent half way around the world for three weeks. A new culture, new smells, new faces...and, No Erik? It hit me about mid week that I'll spend three weeks away from my family, and my Erik. What's worse, I've had to work at school work preparing for finals, we haven't even been able to work on communication logistics. We also haven't worked on our trip to Europe. We have no plan, no tickets, no definitive accommodations: Basically, we have nothing. But hey, you only live once, right? Carpe Diem?
Despite all of these concerns, I'm excited! Our final group member waiting for a visa has received it, and our passports (with newly acquired visas) are safely back at the university awaiting our pickup. I've tried to maintain a relatively lackadaisical attitude toward the trip for two reasons. First, for the reasons listed above; and second, because I feel like a person can't get a true feeling for the host country when he/she wants to go there, but wants the experience to go a certain way. I can't tell you what I'll see or feel or do. Sure, we have an itinerary, but the places you go when abroad are only a quarter of your experience. It's about opening yourself up to listening and even copying the local behavior. It's about trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone. So my expectations are simply to experience each minute as it occurs. And to live in that moment to my greatest ability.
I do plan to write while I'm there, and hope to post pictures as well. Since phone calls are obviously not an option, this will be a means of communication. I'm excited to share this endeavor, and am hopeful that at least one person reading will be changed for the better. If one person can learn something from my experiences, it's all worth it!
