The kindness and generosity that some people show to others fills my heart and makes me so glad to be a small part in this universe.
The kindness and generosity that is shown and given without expecting anything in return is a special gift. Those on the receiving end who are able to realize and appreciate these gifts are better people because of being shown such compassion and love.
It is during these first two and a half months of travel with my sister that we both have been recipients of such amazing gifts. We were hugged goodbye by our friends and family who have never faltered in their love and support for us. We have lived with multiple families who have accepted us as part of their family and culture. We have been so blessed.
Every family we stay with, we always hope to contribute as much as possible so that our host's lives are in any number of ways made less stressful and brought some humor. We want our help to allow our hosts to do more of what they want or need to do.
I am just so grateful for the amazing responses we've received from our current and past hosts. They showed us the utmost kindness by allowing us to stay with them and gave generously to help our stay be even more fulfilling.
I especially hope all of our hosts know how much they are appreciated for the experience and kindness we were shown. And I am ever so grateful again for our friends and family who show and help us to be the people we are today.
I hope I can pay forward even a little of all the love, kindness, and generosity I've been gifted in order that someone else can feel as amazing and fulfilled as I do right now.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
A Piece Of My Heart
When I was preparing for Africa three years ago, many people said that once I had gone there, Africa would always have a place in my heart. I don't want to say that is untrue for me, but there is another place that truly captured my heart from the moment I arrived there-Austria!
I still remember when I flew out of Salzburg for the first time nearly exactly seven years ago. The plane circled back around the city and my window seat had a perfect view of the fortress and Salzach River. I couldn't hold back my tears. That city was my home for eight months and it had completely worked its way into my heart.
I have visited Salzburg and Austria once since that first flight out of the music city, but I knew I'd return again.
And now I have!! I am currently sitting in what will be my sister's and my bedroom for three weeks in the hills of Mariapfarr. Mariapfarr is a small village tucked into the mountains about two hours by bus from Salzburg.
It is as beautiful as ever! The mountains are still covered in snow and the peaks reach into the low mist of the clouds. The hillsides and valleys have bright green spring grass that any animal of mine would be breaking down a gate to enjoy for awhile.
The ride through the country by bus showed again the amazing European homes that usually reside in a cluster of others. Each home has their yards and outside areas prepared neatly and beautifully for any passerby to see a wonderfully managed property. Nothing seems ever to be out of place.
It is the beauty of the land, the kindness and honesty of the people, and the sense of wonderment and originality that keeps me coming back to Austria. A place which will always have a piece of my heart.
I still remember when I flew out of Salzburg for the first time nearly exactly seven years ago. The plane circled back around the city and my window seat had a perfect view of the fortress and Salzach River. I couldn't hold back my tears. That city was my home for eight months and it had completely worked its way into my heart.
I have visited Salzburg and Austria once since that first flight out of the music city, but I knew I'd return again.
And now I have!! I am currently sitting in what will be my sister's and my bedroom for three weeks in the hills of Mariapfarr. Mariapfarr is a small village tucked into the mountains about two hours by bus from Salzburg.
It is as beautiful as ever! The mountains are still covered in snow and the peaks reach into the low mist of the clouds. The hillsides and valleys have bright green spring grass that any animal of mine would be breaking down a gate to enjoy for awhile.
The ride through the country by bus showed again the amazing European homes that usually reside in a cluster of others. Each home has their yards and outside areas prepared neatly and beautifully for any passerby to see a wonderfully managed property. Nothing seems ever to be out of place.
It is the beauty of the land, the kindness and honesty of the people, and the sense of wonderment and originality that keeps me coming back to Austria. A place which will always have a piece of my heart.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Traveller in Training
Seven years ago, I was in Salzburg, Austria nearing the end of my eight months of studying abroad at Salzburg College. I loved every minute of my time in Salzburg and knew Europe would always have a place in my heart.
Fast forward through years of university, living in different states, volunteering in Africa, and having an amazing year in Portland, I have finally begun my adventure back to Austria!
I am currently on Prince Edward Island with my sister as we WWOOF here with a farm family on the island of Anne of Green Gables. Already we have experienced so much in the many hours it took to get to PEI.
What amazes me is how different of a traveler I have become since my first days as a rookie traveler and young student of Europe. In addition, it's sometimes surprising how different every travel experience is compared to past or previous adventures.
Not every flight will go right or go wrong. Not every person will be friendly or unfriendly. The weather will not stay the same. The languages will change from place to place. Your personal perceptions and reactions will be different with every experience or situation.
A traveler can only be prepared for everything by knowing the unexpected will most likely happen. The best way to approach any and every new adventure is by expecting everything may be backwards than initially prepared for or first remembered.
I've surprised myself by how little I prepared personally for this trip. I don't mean by the packing or the planning or itinerary or any of the logistics. I mean by my personal ideas on travel. I've nearly forgotten how quickly culture changes from one place to another. I've nearly forgotten how all the changes affect how we react or don't react to what's happening around us. I sometimes feel as though I've forgotten how to be a traveller!
I love travelling and all the new things I can encounter. I love the adventure and the spontaneity of travel. I also love that travelling is an ever changing and moving classroom. Learning is the best part of travel. I am learning all over again about culture, about how to immerse into a culture and how to accept the many different traditions from my own culture.
I may have travelled to or visited more countries than I would have imagined I would have visited by this age, but I'm learning again how much more there is to know and learn.
This trip will truly be an adventure. I will be challenged again and again physically, emotionally and mentally. I look forward to all I will experience and all I will absorb and be taught. I am not an expert traveller, but still a traveller in training.
Fast forward through years of university, living in different states, volunteering in Africa, and having an amazing year in Portland, I have finally begun my adventure back to Austria!
I am currently on Prince Edward Island with my sister as we WWOOF here with a farm family on the island of Anne of Green Gables. Already we have experienced so much in the many hours it took to get to PEI.
What amazes me is how different of a traveler I have become since my first days as a rookie traveler and young student of Europe. In addition, it's sometimes surprising how different every travel experience is compared to past or previous adventures.
Not every flight will go right or go wrong. Not every person will be friendly or unfriendly. The weather will not stay the same. The languages will change from place to place. Your personal perceptions and reactions will be different with every experience or situation.
A traveler can only be prepared for everything by knowing the unexpected will most likely happen. The best way to approach any and every new adventure is by expecting everything may be backwards than initially prepared for or first remembered.
I've surprised myself by how little I prepared personally for this trip. I don't mean by the packing or the planning or itinerary or any of the logistics. I mean by my personal ideas on travel. I've nearly forgotten how quickly culture changes from one place to another. I've nearly forgotten how all the changes affect how we react or don't react to what's happening around us. I sometimes feel as though I've forgotten how to be a traveller!
I love travelling and all the new things I can encounter. I love the adventure and the spontaneity of travel. I also love that travelling is an ever changing and moving classroom. Learning is the best part of travel. I am learning all over again about culture, about how to immerse into a culture and how to accept the many different traditions from my own culture.
I may have travelled to or visited more countries than I would have imagined I would have visited by this age, but I'm learning again how much more there is to know and learn.
This trip will truly be an adventure. I will be challenged again and again physically, emotionally and mentally. I look forward to all I will experience and all I will absorb and be taught. I am not an expert traveller, but still a traveller in training.
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