#chzech republic

[no-goodbyes-no-regrets]

The guy in the red sweater kind of looks like Dustin Lance Black

[kirillkaprisun]

#sometimes you gotta act like your injury’s so bad you can’t dance in order to shook everybody at the end

[karhumieli-blog]

[scenerybook]

Сhzech Republic 

Autumn`15

[sinshines]

[palmbomenzijnmooi]

[dearscarlettjo-blog]

Being an American in a Foreign Land

I have been living in Austria for the past two months. No, there are NO kangaroos here so don't even ask. If you are wondering where in the world Austria is, it is NOT in the pacific ocean. Its actually below Germany on the European continent. And it is a beautiful country that is very dear to my heart. 

And I have spent the last two months loving living there but now my flight back home is getting closer every day and here’s what Ive learned and experienced from this trip.

1.   English is VERY overwhelming! I have spent the past two months attempting to learn German. And honestly it’s all Ive heard for two months. It is extremely rare to hear native English speakers out in public. Enough that I turn my head and seriously stare. Like stare. In amazement! Because here’s someone else that speaks English fluently and not in broken sentences that only make half sense. Side note: Yes most of the world can speak English. BUT like any language it goes away without practice. So its rare to find someone who actually fully understands you. And I guess I dress European and look European because when I ask them where they are from they always respond with “America.” And I'm like “Duh...... Im from so and so state.” And then they stand there dumbfounded by my perfect english and sarcasm. But I guess I’ve picked up a slightly Austrian accent because they ALWAYS tell me they thought I was an Austrian. And yes I do dress european but I have always dressed this way. Even though I occasionally where large t-shirts and nike shorts like every other college girl in America. But English is also incrediably overwhelming to me now. I have spent the last few months listening to German everywhere I go and being able to check out whenever I want because I can only understand parts of the conversations around me anyways. And its been peaceful. I have my friends and family who speak English and a tiny bit of German with me but that’s it. That’s all the English Ive had for a while. SO when Im around a large group of Americans, say at some tourist attraction like a palace, it is so overwhelming. I am not used to hearing and understanding 50 conversations at the same time. And honestly it sends me into an anxiety attack. I start shaking. Because I can't just check out. I understand every single word. Every. Single. Word. Plus large groups of people just talk so dang loud and thats incrediably annoying to me. Im excited to go back home and speak english but not sure I am ready to hear english again 24/7. Its definitely going to take some readjusting and was honestly not a thing I thought I would have a problem with. 

2. Americans are probably the most patriotic people on this planet. And I mean it! Every American Ive met abroad is so proud to be an American. In fact my Austrian friends are surprised by the fact I love my country so much and that every American they've ever met loves America just as much. It is so incredible to me and has made me super thankful to be from the greatest country on the planet. Because being a patriot is not a thing in Austria. People aren't that proud and Ive noticed it in the other countries I’ve visited. Probably the closest to being as patriotic as Americans are is the Russians. They really love their country. Side note: Russians are cool as shit and not as scary as the rest of the world thinks. But I saw so many American flag socks, t-shirts, actual flags, everything! on 4th of July. Every American visiting Austria was wearing something patriotic for our Independence day even in another country and I thought that was amazing!! 

3. Europe is beautiful. It’s that simple. And I'm really going to miss it. But it has definitely made me appreciate America so much more. 

4. Europeans don't actually hate americans. They are just really curious. They want to know what America is like and I get constant questions about how things really are in America based on what they see in movies. Most of them want to visit America and eat a real hamburger. They don't disrespect us and honestly a few people were surprised I looked “European”. It never really occurred to them that we are a melting pot of so many things. Me for example being Scotch-Irish and Swedish. But once I told people my family heritage they could see the Swedish in my cheekbones and height and the Scotch-Irish in my curly dark blonde hair and pale but slightly golden skin. They honestly don't know what Americans look like and couldn't pick one out in a crowd like I can. If you really wanna find the American in the crowd look for the person who is carrying an incredible amount of confidence and is smiling from ear to ear. 

I have missed A/C, ice in drinks, pick up trucks, sweet tea, and free refills. And I am ready to come home to the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

I am proud to be an American 

[cceenniitt]

Santiago Sepúlveda.