#travel reflection

[unravelbytravel]

Travel Life:

Leaving and coming back- it is interesting. Sometimes I get so lost in the travel world it is hard to assimilate back into normal life again. Working a job and seeing the same people on a day to day basis becomes quite strange. I begin to miss the spontaneity of life when I am traveling. I am no longer meeting new people from all different kinds of places. I am no longer talking about the next place to explore. I am no longer challenging myself in ways that I would during my travels. 

It is times like these (when I am saving money) that I need to remain positive. This particular moment is super weird in the fact I am back in my home state. I think it is good for me to come back to my “roots.” It may not be my favorite place; however, it’s neat analyzing just how different people think here. It is quite the transition. 

[chronicinnature]

A Few Drams on Raasay and a quick hello to Skye: Scotland Reflections Part 5

Onward west we ventured. A spectacular drive from the Glencoe region toward the Isle of Skye brought us to Eilean Donan Castle, which sits at a meeting point between three lochs. This restored castle was one of the most frequently found instagram tags when I began researching our itinerary. Generally, we find ourselves going in the opposite directions of the most trendy stops, however this spot…

A Few Drams on Raasay and a quick hello to Skye: Scotland Reflections Part 5

[asweponder]

So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a mean than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

Christopher McCandless

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

[an-adventurers-blog]

My last day in Istanbul started with an amazing breakfast overlooking the city. Breakfast consisted of breads, cheeses, olives, vegetables and eggs.

I was so sad to leave Istanbul that day. It was so great to be able to spend time with my family, and get to see the beautiful city that they get to call home. I really did fall in love with the culture and the people of Istanbul. It was such an amazing experience to be somewhere completely different than what you are used to and recognize the similarities in daily life.

[copenhagenaventuras]

Sep 16 Reflection

Last Saturday marked 4 weeks since my arrival in Copenhagen. I'm enjoying my time abroad (I said that like a million times already, but really, I'm loving it here so much!!). Some advice that was given to us (students studying abroad) was to actually sit down and reflect. It's so easy for me to not reflect and just take in my time here as it comes. So here is my attempt at a reflection:

Going to school in a city is really different than back home. Commuting to and from school, having to bring my own lunch, and having such different schedules and living situations than my friends makes going to school feel less like school and more like work. This is not a bad thing at all though. I feel like this is giving me a sneak peak to the real world (kind of). Back at school I could always hang out in the common room and just be around other people my age any time. That was kind of a safety net that I didn't know I had. Here, when I come home, I'm with my host family (which I should come back to). I feel that because I am not always surrounded by young people, I need to take the initiative and actually try talking to people. Hopefully this will help me become more independent and I already feel like I'm becoming better at taking action for my own happiness. At home (home home and my home university) I don't feel too bad about just staying in my house during the weekends and I hang out with friends/ family. On the other hand, I'm only going to be here for a limited time so I want to make sure that I use as much time doing something new and exciting. This does not mean that I don't want any breaks from one touristy experience to the next, instead, I don't ever want to say "I'm bored" or "I wish I did this today." If I can't find people to go somewhere with me, I will go by myself. For Copenhagen Pride, I couldn't find my friends (we did not organize the meet up very well...) and really wanted to leave because I thought it would be "awkward" if I stayed by myself. Instead I pushed myself and stayed and actually had a really good time. 

Pushing myself to make sure I am enjoying my time in Copenhagen is one thing, but I also want to push myself in being involved in the city. I feel like I have so much free time, which is nice, but at the same time I want to be doing something for parts of the free time. All this free time is something I am not used to at all back at my home university, but it is making me think about what I can do back home. I think it also has to do with going to school in a city, but I feel like when I go back to school, I want to be more involved outside of just the school community; I want to volunteer at a nearby hospital or YMCA or something that will get me off campus. I know I will not have the free time I have here to be able to volunteer a lot of my time, but being here has made me think about how important it is to not stay in a bubble (the way I am at school). 

That's all I have to say for now. Another day I'll talk about my host family. 

[hilaryspages]

I have officially joined the club.

I have officially joined the club. I don't know quite what to call it, if there even is a way to title the fleeting intimacy of belonging to the club. Members are recognizable by certain markers; loaded backpacks, travel clothes, carrying more bags than your average person who is simply going out to lunch. Members are recognizable by certain physical attributes as well; maybe we look tired (we've been on a train for the last 8 hours, we didn't sleep well in the hostel last night), maybe we look a little grungy, our hair might be greasy, faces sans make up (what's the point in hauling that around), and we aren't exactly dressed to impress. And while we may be traveling alone, by being members of this club we are kindly reminded that as a whole, we are not alone. With a smile, acknowledgement is confirmed, we are both in the club. We can approach, make small talk, make plans to explore together, or we can continue on, exchanging not a single word, but feeling a bit restored knowing someone else in this world is feeling like you.

[simplyt]

On the bus all in my feels and shit... I love travelling because I always come back a new person. It forces me to reflect on so much..... Like I was forced to look my self in the face and I just thought about so much. I got to spend quality time with ma homie but it was also an opportunity to really take a close look at our friendships.... I was reminded bout why I love them and how together we are an amazing team. I also saw our differences and all the ways it impacts our ability to relate to each other back home.... I love them for real tho.... I usually get tired of ppl quickly and need space but I made it through the whole weekend happy.... Had to cuss a few times but that's us.... We speak our mind maybe too much but it's usually the lil things so I was good.....but I'm on the bus just thinking about my weekend and my life in general.