“…and those who do not travel, read only one page.” St. Augustine of Hippo.
Do you enjoy traveling? Even when I was little, I counted down the days leading up to family vacations—even if we were only taking a short trip to the coast. I like drives (whether 10 minutes or 10 hours), and seeing new scenery is exciting.
Yet, over the past few years, I’ve had opportunities to see not only new things, but to live among new people and cultures. In 2017, a study-abroad program in England proved that foreign travel didn’t have to be scary (and that even across the world, you can find others with similar experiences and interests). Two years later, while ‘helping’ my sister settle into her study-abroad term, I had another opportunity to live out of a backpack and see more of Europe. In 2020, I went to New Zealand to complete my YWAM training (a Discipleship Training School, which I’d recommend to anyone), and then of course, last summer I returned to Europe (and I’m still here, in Germany).
You can learn a lot about another country through research, or by talking with someone who’s lived there. However, I’ve also learned a lot about myself through traveling. As with anything, it’s the more challenging experiences that reveal what’s in my heart. Keeping calm and kind becomes a test of character when I miss a train or plane and have to figure out what comes next!
By now, I feel like I’ve learned some practical travel lessons, such as:
– Always buy a ticket on public transport. (Schwarzfahren is not worth it!)
– Packing light is much better than carrying everything. (Less is more.)
– Things will usually be more expensive than planned. (Especially in Europe.)
– The benefits of wearing practical shoes outweigh the charms of fashion. (Tennis shoes go with dresses, yes?)
– Be wary of mystery meat.
– When walking is involved, backpacks are much more convenient than suitcases.
– When lost, optimism is important. (The destination is usually around the corner.)
Anyone who’s traveled with me knows that that last one is my favorite. (Haha). But sometimes getting a little lost isn’t bad. It’s merely another chance to see someplace else—while testing one’s ability to stay calm!
Yet even during these sorts of ‘exciting’ adventures and opportunities to explore ‘grand’ new places, I find myself appreciating familiar surroundings all the more. Whom I’m with becomes more important than where I’m at, and when I’m on my own, then I’m challenged to value those quiet times with God. After all, He’s been there in the adventurous moments—and in the mundane.
And for that, I’m very thankful.