Home at last
Trip Start
Jun 20, 2006
1
29
Trip End
Jul 31, 2006
New York, New York
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
I'll admit, I love being home. I loved being near a computer on which I could actually type, to see my friends, and most importantly, to feel like I belonged again. I could communicate, understand the systems, and have a routine again. I was off and running on my first day back. Europe was fantastic, but as most of you know, travelling can be hard and tiring. I wasn't a fan of the smoke, of walking down the street and hearing people call out "Conichiwa", finding out that I sweat more than any other person known to man, exploring the various toilet bowls of Europe, having my flip flops practically glued to my feet, and paying for every last thing. But, I loved the sights, the food, the history, the different cultures, and most of all, the perspective I gained. I've never done a trip this long or this comprehensive and it certainly was both harder and easier than I expected. Travelling makes you stronger, more resilient, and more confident. As cheesy as it sounds, I believe in the power of human connection. I could order what I wanted or communicate even if I didn't speak the language. I could find and make new friends in new situations and places. i could find a bus to the airport surrounded by French chaos. I also didn't think I could subsist on 15kg of stuff strapped to my back, but I also did that too. It's nice to be reminded that the world is a big place, and that the rest of the world has so much more history than most of us experience on a day to day basis. It's grounding, but realistic.
I've uploaded about a fifth of my pictures. Enjoy! Thanks for reading and keeping me safe during my trip. I can't wait to go back! Next up, Spain.
Over and out.....
Miranda
