Dana and Julie Go Abroad

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Around the Bend

"When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes-what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows-what new landscapes-what new beauties-what curves and hills and valleys further on." -L.M. Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables

It was over a year ago that Dana and I started planning our trip to Europe. What started as Dana telling me that we were going back to Austria has now become a past experience full of memories, learning, and fun. At the beginning of the trip, six months seemed like such a long time and we focused solely on being present and getting the most out of the time we had together. The end of the trip seemed like a bend in the road - just like Anne, we didn't know what lay around that bend.

After being in nine different countries, staying with twelve different hosts, and simply having the most wonderful time, Dana and I are working our way along that bend in the road. We arrived back to the US at the end of September and enjoyed a few days with family. It was so super to see everyone especially our niece and nephew as they have grown and changed the most! Dana then returned to Oregon and I started work! The bend on the road is clearer for me than Dana - I am working in our hometown at a construction company as a sales secretary while helping on our family's farm. Dana is loving being back with her boyfriend and is job searching. I'm sure she'll find her dream job soon!

Life back in the States is certainly different than traveling in Europe but we're doing our best to continue with some European traditions. For example, I can't say pants without it sounding funny to me and I often say "mahlzeit" before a meal. Dana is lucky enough to have a German deli near her and was able to get some "würst und volkorn brot" like we enjoyed in Austria! We love saying "Remember that one time...." and reminisce on the adventures we've had.

We are so thankful for our remarkable experience and for the many people who made our trip possible - whether it was our family and friends who supported us from home, our hosts, or other new friends we met along the way. We will not forget the time we had together when we went abroad on our exciting adventure.

For now, we will enjoy walking the bend in the road and embrace whatever is around it!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Really Good Book

Many people will ask how I feel about going home or being home after six months abroad. If I had one word to describe how I feel, it would be: content. I feel so content and it's one of the best feelings in the world!

Julie and I have had the most remarkable six months together traveling, living, working and learning through Canada, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, England, Scotland, The Isle of Jersey and Ireland. We could not ask for a better experience!

I was reflecting about how to describe our trip and the feelings of it 'ending.' The best and only way to explain how I feel is to compare our trip to the reading and finishing of a really great book.

When I read a book that I absolutely love, I crave every page and at the exact same time I'm looking forward to the many twists and turns a plot can create along the way. I want to be in each moment of the story and also learn how it all turns out or ends. Eventually every great book does end. The most amazing endings are those that leave you satisfied and completely happy with the last word read.

This is how I feel about our trip. Julie and I have taken each day one-by-one and cherished the big and little moments along the way. We've certainly missed our loved ones back home and have had some difficult or learning moments along the way. However, we wouldn't change a single page in the story we've experienced over the last six months. It was a near perfect trip!

Julie and I are both big readers and both love books with 'perfect' endings. A wonderful difference between Julie and I is that Julie loves to reread and then read again her favorite books. I'm always on the lookout for the next new adventure or story to enjoy! Julie is just as happy about our trip as I am and is looking forward to what's next; however, she just might be returning to Austria or England again before me!

Contentment is such an amazing place to be personally. This trip has been beyond wonderful! Julie and I are all smiles as we head home and who knows what our next books will bring!

We Saw A Dolphin!

Most times when someone readies themselves for a trip to a new place or country, they do some research so they know at least a little bit of what to expect. Julie and I? Not so much! We arrived into Dublin airport less than a week ago with not a single expectation for Ireland. I think this is the best way to arrive most places! We are always pleasantly surprised by what we find!

The Dublin airport made a great one-night accommodation for Julie and I in some cafe chairs before embarking the next morning to Galway by bus. We were still very sleepy when we boarded the bus, but after an hour or so of bus dozing we awoke to the wonderful landscapes of Ireland. We found lots of green pasture dotted with nice looking fleshy cattle grazing in their tiny stone-walled paddocks. We saw numerous old deteriorating stone buildings or castle looking structures all about. There were woods of evergreen trees and just so much green everywhere. Wonderful landscape to enjoy!

Once arriving in Galway, we spent the first day in this tiny city of 80,000 citizens including 30,000 students just relaxing in the hostel and taking a small walk about the town. We booked a tour for the next day to a nearby Aran island and to also see the Cliffs of Moher!

Friday morning came and we were off in a minibus to enjoy the beautiful land of an area called The Burren. Loads of animals graze these parts that are dotted with very unique rocks and stones and very old castles and buildings. Finally arriving in Doolin, we boarded a ferry boat and headed out to Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest of the Aran islands. About 5 minutes from the island we encountered an amazing moment! A dolphin swimming alongside the ferry!! How incredible to see! This dolphin stayed around the dock long after we were off the boat, too. Julie and I are still blown away by this experience! How unexpected and wonderful?! Amazing, really!

On this tiny island, Julie and I did a nice walk about and ate our lunch on the green beside an old castle-like structure. This island is covered with stone walls! The paddocks are so tiny because they have so many walls! We ended up near the far south side of the island and enjoyed a unique view of the cliffs on the Ireland shore from atop one of the stone walls! Such a fun and unique island to explore!

Setting off again in the boat towards the Cliffs of Moher, Julie and I remembered our last sea-boating experience. We remembered how our stomachs weren't then quite sea-ready. I'd love to say I've grown my sea legs and can handle the back and forth through the ocean waves, but I'd be utterly lying! Julie and I made it to the edge of the cliffs to try and capture some photos from the ocean, but soon had to venture inside to rest our head and stomachs. Between the fumes of the boat's exhaust and the very busy waves, Julie and I enjoyed the rest of our boat trip with our eyes closed and heads resting on the back of the bench. It was such a great experience, but we just may not be equipped for ocean boating just yet!

We were then able to go by land to see the cliffs and enjoyed them from atop the ocean. They are quite impressive and it was nice to stroll along the 'edge of the world' for a bit!

Back in Galway, Julie and I enjoyed the city at night by walking around the lit up cathedral, around some neat university buildings and along the canals as well. We are always game for a good walk!

On Saturday, Julie and I were all packed up and ready to go again! This time we were heading back to Dublin, the last stop on our trip before flying west to home!

We have spent the last three days of this unforgettable adventure exploring the beautiful city of Dublin and enjoying the city lights at night. We were also able to meet up with a friend of mine from eight years ago whom I studied with at Salzburg College. I love the connections we all make in our lives and the reconnecting is even better! We had a superb brunch, checked out some of the coolest museums and then each were treated to a Guinness to round out a wonderful day! If anyone goes to Dublin, be sure to check out the 'Bog People' exhibit at the free natural history museum. This museum has on show the preserved bodies of men found in the bog areas of Ireland from as far back as 300-100 BC. Unbelievable!

Julie and I walked a lot, woke up at 3 am to view the 'Blood Moon,' bought our souvenir chocolate for sharing at home, and packed our bags to be ready for our flights home.

This morning, the official last day of our adventure abroad, began with a run down the river at 6 am and the most beautiful colored sky as the sun prepared to rise over the city. We couldn't ask for a more perfect way to begin our journey home! And, hey, we saw a dolphin in Ireland and drank an awesome glass of Guinness with a super friend!