When I first announced to my friends in Oxford (both Americans and English) that I was going to travel alone, most looked at me like I was crazy. Some even voiced that opinion.
"You mean, you're not even going to meet up with someone along the way?"
"Do you think you'll be safe?"
"Aren't you worried?"
Well I wasn't before, but maybe I was then after those opinions.
I continued to research and pray, but I really felt that I trip alone would be a really good way to grow in my trust of God, and a good way to figure out just what I really am capable of doing on my own.
I've taken trips with other people before, which can be really interesting, it's nice to have someone who's there to experience things, help take photos, and someone to talk about it with after you come home. I had a friend tell me that:
"If I traveled alone, I would be afraid none of it had really happened, because I would be the only one there."
I guess that could be true, but I think if you don't travel alone occasionally you'll never know yourself entirely. I have such a better understanding of myself now. I've been lost and had to figure it out by myself. I've had to make friends with strangers (a strength I don't usually possess). I've had to stand up for myself in a country where I don't speak the language (someone tried to cheat me out of 5 euros worth of change. I got cranky). I've had to make every decision, from food to sights, to sleep, to trains. There's a serious thrill in being that independent. In just hopping trains and wandering cities, and hoping you find your way, but not really caring about getting lost along the way, because you're the only one it affects.
During my week all alone in Germany (and Salzburg) and then my week of wandering around Vienna and spending the evenings with Denise, I've learned a lot about myself. Like the fact that I tend to keep a running commentary going in my head, or that I really enjoy talking to people in hostels. I've made two good acquaintances, that I hope will turn into real friends, because both of them were lovely. I've been adventurous, I've been scared, and I was even homesick. But the real thing is, I made the decision to be those things, I didn't let someone else influence me, exhaust me, or make the decisions for me.
Like I said at first, I don't have anything against traveling with someone (hello, I traveled with Rebekah all through Michaelmas!) but I think it's important to experiment and try things on your own. I wouldn't recommend 3 years of this, but I would recommend a few weeks. It's envigorating to get lost... to look around and realize you've seen the buildings around you six times, but you have no idea where those buildings are on the map you're looking at.
That's all. Just a brief recommendation to figure yourself out.
21 April 2010
Marooned, stranded, stuck, however you put it, it's not pleasant
Once again I'm sitting in the computer lab at Denise's school. What a gracious friend. Her graciousness is almost as wonderful as her friendship, humor, and kindness. As I have struggled through the weekend and continue to muddle through this week post volcano-explosion (as Eric put it: Dr. Harris must be so excited, this is the first time Iceland's been in the news in forever!) she has been there for me every step of the way, making sure I eat, talk, fuss, and occasionally sigh in frustration.
Frankly, being here hasn't been too bad overall. But let's back up. Originally I was going to take a daytrip on Friday last week. My plans changed slightly and I decided to go on Thursday instead, since Denise was free most of Friday (noon onward!) and I wanted to spend my *last* night with her, not in Eisenstadt. So Thursday morning, off I went to Eisenstadt, the town the Esterhazy family lived in. Terribly cool, I got to see Haydn's house. But the second I walked into her apartment that evening, full of crazy stories, Denise says "look at RyanAir. A volcano errupted, and flights are shutting down."
Sure enough, Friday evening I was notified my flight had been canceled. What followed from there was a frantic rush to get myself back in time for Monday lectures.
Or my Wednesday meeting.
Or just ever.
I first booked a Eurostar train for Monday evening, since that was the next available time I could go. I then Saturday went and stood in line, twice, trying to get a train out of Vienna and over to Paris. That was a no-go, since that was what everyone wanted to do. I spent a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes at Westbahnhof waiting in line. On Saturday. After a little conferencing with my family that night, I went back to Westbahnhof on Sunday and spent almost 3 hours trying to sort my life. Again. And then... here's the kicker, I couldn't get a train until Wednesday. So I booked it, thinking I could get ahold of Eurostar and change my booking with them.
I couldn't. So then I was going to be stuck in Paris, unable to get a hostel, unable to get a train. I panicked. I called my sister and she and I spent almost three hours on Sunday total trying to sort my life. Eventually we found a flight that was going to leave on Tuesday. I was so excited!
And then Monday night they canceled it.
I moved to this coming Monday.
I'll have missed an entire week, but hey, at least I'll get back, right?
Maybe wrong. The volcano errupted again yesterday, I may just have to move into Denise's apartment permanently.
On the plus side, I met her landlady today, she's absolutely a precious person, and is refusing to let me pay the extra rent to stay there since it's "such a pity! you being stuck here!". She gets flowers. And maybe chocolate.
Plus, Denise's roommates are SO cool. So wonderfully chill, and just absolutely lovely about the fact that they have an extra person in the house taking up space, shower time... etc. They've all been really sympathetic, and just incredibly gracious and kind. Such a relief to at least be stuck/stranded/marooned with friends. I've discovered so many new happy things about being glutenfree too! More on that at some point (and just how I managed to survive... although barely... I lost 5 pounds and about two inches on my waist in the last three weeks).
Life continues to be an adventure. In so many ways ...
Frankly, being here hasn't been too bad overall. But let's back up. Originally I was going to take a daytrip on Friday last week. My plans changed slightly and I decided to go on Thursday instead, since Denise was free most of Friday (noon onward!) and I wanted to spend my *last* night with her, not in Eisenstadt. So Thursday morning, off I went to Eisenstadt, the town the Esterhazy family lived in. Terribly cool, I got to see Haydn's house. But the second I walked into her apartment that evening, full of crazy stories, Denise says "look at RyanAir. A volcano errupted, and flights are shutting down."
Sure enough, Friday evening I was notified my flight had been canceled. What followed from there was a frantic rush to get myself back in time for Monday lectures.
Or my Wednesday meeting.
Or just ever.
I first booked a Eurostar train for Monday evening, since that was the next available time I could go. I then Saturday went and stood in line, twice, trying to get a train out of Vienna and over to Paris. That was a no-go, since that was what everyone wanted to do. I spent a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes at Westbahnhof waiting in line. On Saturday. After a little conferencing with my family that night, I went back to Westbahnhof on Sunday and spent almost 3 hours trying to sort my life. Again. And then... here's the kicker, I couldn't get a train until Wednesday. So I booked it, thinking I could get ahold of Eurostar and change my booking with them.
I couldn't. So then I was going to be stuck in Paris, unable to get a hostel, unable to get a train. I panicked. I called my sister and she and I spent almost three hours on Sunday total trying to sort my life. Eventually we found a flight that was going to leave on Tuesday. I was so excited!
And then Monday night they canceled it.
I moved to this coming Monday.
I'll have missed an entire week, but hey, at least I'll get back, right?
Maybe wrong. The volcano errupted again yesterday, I may just have to move into Denise's apartment permanently.
On the plus side, I met her landlady today, she's absolutely a precious person, and is refusing to let me pay the extra rent to stay there since it's "such a pity! you being stuck here!". She gets flowers. And maybe chocolate.
Plus, Denise's roommates are SO cool. So wonderfully chill, and just absolutely lovely about the fact that they have an extra person in the house taking up space, shower time... etc. They've all been really sympathetic, and just incredibly gracious and kind. Such a relief to at least be stuck/stranded/marooned with friends. I've discovered so many new happy things about being glutenfree too! More on that at some point (and just how I managed to survive... although barely... I lost 5 pounds and about two inches on my waist in the last three weeks).
Life continues to be an adventure. In so many ways ...
14 April 2010
Misc. Adventures
So here I sit, in the computer lab of Denise's school, chatting away with various folks, both online and not, and realizing, I never updated the blog while I was in Germany. So a brief rundown, with some more specific information to come.
Monday, April 5th:
Arrived in Vienna (re previous post on my own stupidity) and spent the evening with Denise, a lovely hostess. Who even cooked!
Tuesday, April 6th:
Wandered most of the first district, got lost once or twice, made ideas about what to do when I come back to Vienna.
Wednesday, April 7th:
Started early in the day by catching a train to Salzburg. After checking in at the hostel I walked around the old part of town and visited the Dom Cathedral. Tried to find the Mozart Residence, but was completely unsucessful.
Thursday, April 8th:
Started early again by hiking up the hill (small mountain is more descript) to the Salzburg Fortress. After touring around the fortress I came back down and went to both of the Mozart museums (it was glorious!) and did more walking and piddling around. After a break at the hostel for dinner and a little relaxing, I met up with Anne Maree, someone from my dorm, and we went for a twilight walk of Salzburg. The city that had been incredibly breathtaking during the day, was astounding at night.
Friday, April 9th:
Once again, early day! Took the train into Munich, checked into the hostel, and proceeded to walk the entire city (including the Englischer Gardens) in one afternoon. I also toured the Residenz, which reminded me in a bizarre way of a mix of Versailles and Buckingham ...
Saturday, April 10th:
Took the train to Berlin, although I started a little later that particular morning. I had plenty of time on my hands. Dealt with rude German students, and the most adorable family that made me a little homesick.
Sunday, April 11th:
Decided that since I didn't get to visit Auschwitz, touring Sachsenhausen, the very first concentration camp was a good idea. It definitely was, and I'm glad I took one of the guided walks as well. It was really informative, and helped me understand what was what. It was also incredibly depressing. I've done a little research in addition to that visit, so I plan to write up some information about the visit at a later date.
Monday, April 12th:
After tooling around Berlin for the morning, I took one of the Fat Tire Bike tours for Berlin. I just did the basic city tour, and it was such a wonderful way to see the city. I had only the one day to basically do everything, and it was a little overwhelming, so definitely worth the price to pay up and get to do it all on a bike. Someday I'll go back and spend more time and do it properly. After the tour I grabbed my bags and hightailed it for the Hauptbahnhof (which is an attraction in and of itself) and caught the next train to Leipzig. By the time I made it to the hostel I was super tired and it was about 7:00, so I pretty much just ate dinner and collapsed.
Tuesday, April 13th:
The most convenient train for Vienna left at 10:36, so I tried to see as much of Leipzig as was possible in three hours. I definitely didn't succeed, but I saw the two Bach churches, one of them being a famous one from the Monday Marches from 1987. ;) After that I hopped my train and spent the next nine mind numbing hours heading back to Vienna. Whew.
Wednesday, April 14th
Oh wait... that's today! I walked around the Hofburg section of Vienna today for awhile and then once I was really good and soaked searched out a museum. The most convenient one was a bundled ticket for the actual Hofburg (palace) with the Schönbrunn. So after touring the Hofburg museums: Silver Collection, Imperial Apartments, and the Sissi museum (exploring the myth!) I headed over to meet Denise so I could attend her music history class with her. It was a riot, I'm so glad I went. He talked about a lot of stuff that I had written papers on this last term, so it was especially interesting for me to hear a Viennese person explain it. Very interesting.
Tomorrow I plan to tour the Schönbrunn palace (the summer palace) after meeting Denise for all you can eat salads. Super great plans. I'm happy. Friday is still yet to be determined. Saturday I go home ... sad days. I have to go back to the real world....
Monday, April 5th:
Arrived in Vienna (re previous post on my own stupidity) and spent the evening with Denise, a lovely hostess. Who even cooked!
Tuesday, April 6th:
Wandered most of the first district, got lost once or twice, made ideas about what to do when I come back to Vienna.
Wednesday, April 7th:
Started early in the day by catching a train to Salzburg. After checking in at the hostel I walked around the old part of town and visited the Dom Cathedral. Tried to find the Mozart Residence, but was completely unsucessful.
Thursday, April 8th:
Started early again by hiking up the hill (small mountain is more descript) to the Salzburg Fortress. After touring around the fortress I came back down and went to both of the Mozart museums (it was glorious!) and did more walking and piddling around. After a break at the hostel for dinner and a little relaxing, I met up with Anne Maree, someone from my dorm, and we went for a twilight walk of Salzburg. The city that had been incredibly breathtaking during the day, was astounding at night.
Friday, April 9th:
Once again, early day! Took the train into Munich, checked into the hostel, and proceeded to walk the entire city (including the Englischer Gardens) in one afternoon. I also toured the Residenz, which reminded me in a bizarre way of a mix of Versailles and Buckingham ...
Saturday, April 10th:
Took the train to Berlin, although I started a little later that particular morning. I had plenty of time on my hands. Dealt with rude German students, and the most adorable family that made me a little homesick.
Sunday, April 11th:
Decided that since I didn't get to visit Auschwitz, touring Sachsenhausen, the very first concentration camp was a good idea. It definitely was, and I'm glad I took one of the guided walks as well. It was really informative, and helped me understand what was what. It was also incredibly depressing. I've done a little research in addition to that visit, so I plan to write up some information about the visit at a later date.
Monday, April 12th:
After tooling around Berlin for the morning, I took one of the Fat Tire Bike tours for Berlin. I just did the basic city tour, and it was such a wonderful way to see the city. I had only the one day to basically do everything, and it was a little overwhelming, so definitely worth the price to pay up and get to do it all on a bike. Someday I'll go back and spend more time and do it properly. After the tour I grabbed my bags and hightailed it for the Hauptbahnhof (which is an attraction in and of itself) and caught the next train to Leipzig. By the time I made it to the hostel I was super tired and it was about 7:00, so I pretty much just ate dinner and collapsed.
Tuesday, April 13th:
The most convenient train for Vienna left at 10:36, so I tried to see as much of Leipzig as was possible in three hours. I definitely didn't succeed, but I saw the two Bach churches, one of them being a famous one from the Monday Marches from 1987. ;) After that I hopped my train and spent the next nine mind numbing hours heading back to Vienna. Whew.
Wednesday, April 14th
Oh wait... that's today! I walked around the Hofburg section of Vienna today for awhile and then once I was really good and soaked searched out a museum. The most convenient one was a bundled ticket for the actual Hofburg (palace) with the Schönbrunn. So after touring the Hofburg museums: Silver Collection, Imperial Apartments, and the Sissi museum (exploring the myth!) I headed over to meet Denise so I could attend her music history class with her. It was a riot, I'm so glad I went. He talked about a lot of stuff that I had written papers on this last term, so it was especially interesting for me to hear a Viennese person explain it. Very interesting.
Tomorrow I plan to tour the Schönbrunn palace (the summer palace) after meeting Denise for all you can eat salads. Super great plans. I'm happy. Friday is still yet to be determined. Saturday I go home ... sad days. I have to go back to the real world....
07 April 2010
Austria!!!
As of this moment, I am currently sitting in my hostel in Salzburg, whiling away a little time because the museums are closed, and I don't feel up to just wandering about today.
So on Monday I flew into Bratislava, which for those of you who are not away, is in Slovakia. While I knew this before leaving, for some reason it never dawned on me to brush up on my Slovakian. Hence the following story.
Everything was fine until I was about 50 feet out of Immigration. I reached for my passport, which I thought I had stuck in my back pocket, I was going to transfer it back to my purse while I tried desperately to figure out what "train station" was in Slovakian. As I reached back, I realiyed (dramatic music cue...) it wasn't there. Uh-oh. Where did it go.
I sat down and searched through my bags, not there. Not in any of my pockets. I retraced my steps up to that point, not there either. Uh-oh.
Next, I pursued a search for the info desk, and managed to walk right by it four or five times. Smooth. If it hadn't been for the English guys from my flight who I had befriended before takeoff, I might have stayed wandering for a bit. Of course almost none of the signs are in English, so I'm dreadfully confused the entire time. After finally locating someone who speaks English at the info desk, I am directed to the Lost&Found desk... where my passport lies waiting.
*phew*
I would lose my head if it wasn't screwed on, I'm pretty sure.
So on Monday I flew into Bratislava, which for those of you who are not away, is in Slovakia. While I knew this before leaving, for some reason it never dawned on me to brush up on my Slovakian. Hence the following story.
Everything was fine until I was about 50 feet out of Immigration. I reached for my passport, which I thought I had stuck in my back pocket, I was going to transfer it back to my purse while I tried desperately to figure out what "train station" was in Slovakian. As I reached back, I realiyed (dramatic music cue...) it wasn't there. Uh-oh. Where did it go.
I sat down and searched through my bags, not there. Not in any of my pockets. I retraced my steps up to that point, not there either. Uh-oh.
Next, I pursued a search for the info desk, and managed to walk right by it four or five times. Smooth. If it hadn't been for the English guys from my flight who I had befriended before takeoff, I might have stayed wandering for a bit. Of course almost none of the signs are in English, so I'm dreadfully confused the entire time. After finally locating someone who speaks English at the info desk, I am directed to the Lost&Found desk... where my passport lies waiting.
*phew*
I would lose my head if it wasn't screwed on, I'm pretty sure.
01 April 2010
The new plan
So as my previous post stated, there have been a few complications as far as the traveling goes.
As soon as I get a chance I will try to post some photos from when Mom and Michael visited. I don't actually have the photos, Michael took all of them except for one or two.
So for now I'm lonely in Oxford. I may try texting a few people and seeing if they want to do dinner. Up to this point I haven't felt well enough to get out of bed. I'm not entirely sure I'm up to getting out of bed just yet anyways. :D
My new plan is to leave Monday morning, decently early from Oxford, get to Bratislava mid-afternoon, and Vienna a little later than that. I'll spend Monday and Tuesday nights with Denise, friend extraordinaire (who's also going to feed me! yay!).
On Wednesday I'll leave for Salzburg, spend Wednesday and Thursday nights in Salzburg, Friday night in Munich, Saturday and Sunday nights in Berlin, and Monday night in Leipzig. I'll go back to Vienna from Leipzig and spend the rest of my time just hanging out in Vienna, taking day trips, seeing Vienna, and just hanging with my other half. This trip, should it actually happen, should be great!
Just pray that public transit works for once....
*sigh*
As soon as I get a chance I will try to post some photos from when Mom and Michael visited. I don't actually have the photos, Michael took all of them except for one or two.
So for now I'm lonely in Oxford. I may try texting a few people and seeing if they want to do dinner. Up to this point I haven't felt well enough to get out of bed. I'm not entirely sure I'm up to getting out of bed just yet anyways. :D
My new plan is to leave Monday morning, decently early from Oxford, get to Bratislava mid-afternoon, and Vienna a little later than that. I'll spend Monday and Tuesday nights with Denise, friend extraordinaire (who's also going to feed me! yay!).
On Wednesday I'll leave for Salzburg, spend Wednesday and Thursday nights in Salzburg, Friday night in Munich, Saturday and Sunday nights in Berlin, and Monday night in Leipzig. I'll go back to Vienna from Leipzig and spend the rest of my time just hanging out in Vienna, taking day trips, seeing Vienna, and just hanging with my other half. This trip, should it actually happen, should be great!
Just pray that public transit works for once....
*sigh*
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