All the new friends I've made and all the old friends I've reconnected with
PASTRIES
The cheap food in Portugal
My Gold Coast family in Lagos
Danish hotdogs
Quiet time on the trains
Pizza and pasta in Italy
Eating ice cream every day
Street markets!
The shopping and fashions
H&M on every corner
Discussing politics with the Kastrup family
Ruth's cooking
Writing all of Kirst's funny quotes (check out my quote book when I get back!)
Taking pictures of Kirsten taking pictures of animals
Trying to pronounce "beer" in Danish
HIGHLIGHTS:
People: I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet up with Christoph Heers and Astrid Kruse. I still remember the last time Christoph left my home and I bawled because I thought I would never see him again! Clearly, the world isn't as "inaccessible" as I once thought it was; I met up with Christoph twice since I have been in Europe. Reconnecting with Astrid was one of the happiest moments for me on this trip. Seven and a half years is a lot to catch up on! It is also strange to think that the last time I saw her I was only 14; now I am 22. She is still the same fun, amazing, beautiful person she was in high school - I am so blessed to know her!
I am also thankful to have the opportunity to meet SO MANY new people and make new friends around every corner. The Kastrup family, Cordy and Rich, my Lagos family, the Heers family, and the countless number of friends I made on trains and in hostels have made this trip into the adventure it was meant to be. Discussing politics, killing HUGE spiders, learning about ecological Germans, pronouncing new words, and giving and receiving hugs will always be my favorite memories from Europe. I believe that there are kind people in every corner of the world and friendship can be found in every country; this trip has confirmed that.
Culture: I LOVED learning about new cultures and ways of living! I must say that Spain was one of my favorite because I took a siesta every day and ate tapas all the time. Learning about new cultures not only teaches me that people can live in ways other than my own - it also helps me to appreciate the endless amount of opportunities I have in the United States. (I also look forward to coming home and not be cat-called constantly the way I was in the southern countries.) I understand that other countries have different government systems, taxes, healthcare plans, pollution control, etc. that works for them. That doesn't mean it will work for us. I am more willing to stand up for the USA and what we believe in; I see that other systems work for others but I also recognize that there is more than one way to solve a problem. Different cultures are awesome; I still love mine :)
Food: Each country we've been to has had a food "specialty" - in our opinions.
Denmark: Pastries
Germany: Americaner cookies
Netherlands: Stroopwaffels
France: Tarts
Portugal: English breakfasts at Odeon Cafe!
Spain: Tapas
Italy: ALL FOOD aka: pasta, pizza, and gelato
Switzerland: Chocolate
Czech Republic: Svikova and some other pastry I can't remember the name of...
In case you are wondering, I have not gained any weight :) Unfortunately, though, I have lost all my leg muscles from running constantly and have replaced the lost muscle with FAT. SICK. Again, Valerie, please please please let's do the next 10k. My running shoes have missed me.
3 DAYS!
Love,
Meg
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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