Learning about Myself

When I was in Bruges I was asked if I was looking for anything while on my trip, at the time I was asked this I was looking through my bag, so at first I mistook that question, and then I thought for a second and said no. I may not have been looking for something but I know that I learned new things about myself. I'm already a seasoned traveler, thanks to my dad who instilled it in me at a very young age. However I never knew I could adapt so well to so much change.

I wasn't very good at navigating, in Berlin, Dresden, and Paris I had to ask for directions, but now give me a map and I can show you the easiest way to get to the place you want.

The first time something unexpected happened I fell apart, it can be very hard to figure out what to do when you're on your own. The second time it happened I embraced it, and I let the cards fall where they may.

I learned to remain calm when traveling, because when you get into the heart of a country trains don't announce stops in English, so you have to be on the lookout for your stop.

I've learned that stupid questions don't matter when you need help

I'm more trusting with people that I thought I was, I went to Scmilka with two people I had met the night before at Lollis Homestay Hostel in Dresden. Same goes for Bruges, Belgium

There are a lot of things that I wish I could have done differently, especially in Berlin where I should have studied the subway maps or talked to more people. Oh well you live you learn, sometimes you make mistakes.

I've learned to insert myself into conversations without seeming like I butted in

I took a self defense class before I went to Europe, so I think the fact that I knew I could hurt a person if they attacked me, I was more aware of people. I knew where I was going....most of the time

Traveling alone can be lonely, so if I wasn't hanging out with people then I was in the common areas, with other people on my computer.

I feel lost in huge cities, so I learned to take hop on hop off bus tours to help orient myself in the city, it was the only thing that could help me.

Looking back I realize in every hostel that I stayed at there have been at least someone or a small group that I could have hung out with longer or just hung out with. 

I don't have regrets, i'm so glad I did what I did, there are just some things I would do differently

I'm way too guarded when I meet new people

I found that i'm way more sarcastic then I intend to be when I meet someone who doesn't know about something so obvious, i.e. a monument or museum, and it comes off as uncaring or bitchy.

When i'm with people I feel comfortable with I still don't let down my guard all the way

I know myself pretty well, but now I know what i'm capable of, I want to do more traveling, it doesn't matter if it's with people or not. I want to experience new cultures and meet more people who are interested traveling.