2017 in review
Packing up my life in sunny Australia in February and swapping my ol’ faithful thongs (the shoes not the undergarments) for fluffy winter boots in Germany has been one big old rollercoaster. It’s safe to say it’s been a pretty huge year for me. Along the way, I’ve learnt a little German, met new people, had visits from old friends and had trouble staying in touch with others. It’s difficult being in different time zones. Communication does break down but the important people in life understand and will continue to tag you in inappropriate memes.
Munich is a beautiful city and there is no wonder it’s referred to as a village of a million people. It feels super cosy yet somehow it caters to a population of more than a million. I don’t see myself packing up shop and heading home to the land down under just yet.
The locals affectionately call Munich, ‘Minga’. They are helplessly unaware that in English slang ‘minga’ means ‘a noxious looking hag’, to use a direct quote from trusted internet source Urban Dictionary. To rub salt further into the gaping wound, wait staff in trendy cafes and bars proudly wear shirts emblazoned with ‘MINGA’ and most of them aren’t even that bad looking.
Trading the ‘Rolla for the S Bahn when I moved here, Germany has well and truly taught me to slow down. Not only does public transport teach patience but working here also provided some new obstacles. For all the German efficiency in the world, I notice that tradition and process take first and second place every time. This isn’t so bad when you are sitting in a beer tent at Oktoberfest but sometimes when you need to get things done it can be a little frustrating.
While it’s taken a while to adjust to a new work culture on the travel front I’ve jumped right in. It always helps to have a travel-hungry boyfriend and overly excitable friends. From skiing my first week in Germany in the Austrian Alps to snorkelling in San Fruttuoso, Italy in Summer. From catching up with a primary school friend for dinner by chance in Rome to timing our road trip through France to coincide with our French friends spontaneous trip home. From tiny flight delays to flight cancellations and a 12-hour journey home ending at 3.30 am on a school night. Working, living and travelling overseas has really taught me to be grateful for my opportunities, to appreciate my relationship with my family and to heed the advice of my friends.
Now that I’ve done some serious reflection on the year that’s been it’s time to look to the future. Here is a sneaky hint at my plans for Christmas and my next destination: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport…
…Love Actually is all around