Germany: The Experience Before Excursions

I have been extremely blessed to have had such an exciting and extremely fortunate first couple days in Germany. The predominating theme that I want to highlight is that of the people of Germany. Since I got off the plane in Frankfurt and through my first few days at the University in Osnabruck, it is the people that have touched me. I did not expect the loving, warm and friendly characters that I have been introduced to in this country. I expected to be greeted by citizens of a jaded, Post World War II society, but instead they have been inviting and helpful.

My first encounter began at the airport in Frankfurt, at which an extremely friendly couple approached my travel companion, Falon, and I and offered to show us through the airport and assist us in catching our first train. They were such open and loving people. They told us all about their lives, where they live and have lived, (in Frankfurt, Rodenbach, New York, and Florida), and what things to look for while we visited the area. Their compassion grounded me in my shock from being in the foreign surroundings. Remarkably, I found myself less-guarded and open to the new experience in a way that I had never thought possible while travelling abroad. Over the next few days, I found many more warm and welcoming German students that were just as excited to meet and speak to me as I was toward them. More importantly, they were so willing and happy to show me the customs of their culture, the countryside of their small historic city, and speak to me about what I was studying or why my school group was visiting. I am elated and comfortable to find such wonderful people. Not that I was expecting terribly unfriendly people or anything, but more I was expecting people to be much more guarded and so absorbed in their own thoughts and lives that they would not care to extend their efforts to a measly, young traveler. However, I have been pleasantly surprised and happily influenced by their boisterous personalities and many life lessons that have been offered by these strong and passionate Germans.

Being surrounded by such positive avenues of communication and smooth means of transportation, I realized how much I can depend on myself and my own decisions. At times in my daily life at home in the States, I can find myself feeling lost, out-of-control, or even under-confident in my decisions of where I want to go or what I intend to do. Now, however, I find it an easier process to find self-affirmation and dependence. My decisions are more direct in my forethought, and it seems to have happened overnight. I have traveled to this country and find it a necessity to have such an ability to stand firm and know that I am just in my decision-making processes.  I have made steps to strategically plan and prepare for my days here. I feel that this particular travelling experience has put me in a better position to do such actions and that my efforts are being channeled in an effective manner. I find my thoughts more cut-and-dry. Ordered. Ordered in a way that allows me to have the most productive, effective day that I can possibly have while studying, shopping, socializing and networking abroad. I only hope to transfer these newly found/installed habits into my life routine at home as I plan the next big steps after my recent graduation. I’d like to say that Germany has facilitated the process of reassuring not only my personal goals, but my affirmed “self”-support in those goals. To have a thought and to follow through with it whole-heartedly, is one that has become invaluable on this trip.

Personal trust has come from trusting in others. I haven’t given up hope in people and the power that each can have on the other.  In this way, I mean that it is through the example of the interactions with these self-assured, level-headed Germans, that I have discovered a long forgotten ability in trusting myself. It will definitely take some sustained effort and hard work to properly harness these behaviors and enact them in my life, in a way that is best in each circumstance.

Germany has been everything I expected and so much more. The weather hasn’t been as horrible as we were originally led to believe and exciting adventures await us at every turn of the corner and at every break of day. It is fascinating to see all of the land that has been set aside for pure adoration. Parks, streams, mountains, valleys, and history flourish in every city. The cities are laid out in such interesting and effective manners. It is most interesting in Osnabruck, at which the city holds such delicate landmarks of ancient times. The Dom Cathedral located in the downtown area, opens its doors to a vibrant, living parish community with olden, harmonious bells from its steep bell tower. The bells chime, ding, dong, dong, don-ng, resounding a theme of welcomed worship that spans the ages. The sounds evoke a change within my spirit, calling me to life and to a reawakening in my own flesh for this earth. I awaken from a mundane school life and become alive again. Just as the bells have held strong through the generations of war, change, and nature, it is a testament to the way in which I will continue to remain strong, however changing , will remain true and steadfast to a life theme of love and service to others.