August 18, 2010 – 5:22 pm
Well, it has now been three weeks since we returned from Europe, and I guess its time to say what all I learned from the trip. Well, in just a little more than 2 months I traveled through some of the most famous, and beloved places on earth. Saw the medieval streets of Carcassonne, the 16th century cityscape of Florence, the ancient history of Rome, the beer gardens of Germany, the Art Galleries of Paris, and rain of England.
Throughout all of these experiences I feel like I have seen every little aspect of Europe possible. I have seen the heritage and artistic moments like the art museums or the history museums. I have witnessed the famous European buffoonery that overcomes cities when beer and soccer matches come together. I have hung out at the local pubs or coffee shops where Europeans are known for just relaxing. I have driven through the smallest towns and have seen what people are actually like outside of the tourism industry. I have experienced everything from the stifling heat of Spain, to the dampness of Austria; from the poor in Bratislava to the very rich in Switzerland.
I feel like the trip really has covered everything. I honestly cannot think of one aspect of European culture, history, or identity that we did not cover. I mean we saw everything from Eastern European culture to British culture. The only thing I can think of that I wish I had seen a bit of was Scandinavian culture, but really I have nothing to complain about. I am happy to be home, but I am thankful for the adventures I have had this summer.
Since I was young I have always considered myself a bit of a World War II buff, and never gave much thought to World War I, at all. Since coming to Belgium however I cannot stop thinking about the atrocities committed during that war and how unnecessary the whole thing really was. My interest began to peak for this during our visit to the Canadian site at Vimy ridge, and how interesting, and sad it was to see the bunkers where the men fought, slept, lived and ultimately died. I was particularly shocked at life expectancy of the front line runners as being between 5-7 days upon arrival, even more the fact that many of them were volunteers.
What really bummed me out is I felt all these soldiers we see buried at the Canadian memorial and in the mass army graves, is how these men died for nothing really. World War I was a war fought over ego’s, and false senses of nationalism and superiority. In the Flanders Fields museum there was a quote by Winston Churchill that said “I wonder what would happen if all of a sudden all of the soldiers went on strike, and all the world leaders would have to find another way of settling their differences.” The whole thing really makes all the mass graves a lot more depressing knowing they all died in a pointless war, in a war that was supposed to end all wars – there have been armed conflicts somewhere in the world, every single day since the end of World War I.
Jonas
So as we have been traveling through Europe thus far, we have seen hundreds and hundreds of amazing pieces of art. Every museum that we go to is filled with some of the most brilliant, vibrant, and awe-inspiring pieces I have ever laid my eyes on. So much so, that I have begun to blow my way through every museum just looking out for the big names – the Michelangelo’s, the Raphael’s, the Leonardo’s, the Donatello’s – all the ninja turtles. I wonder why I do this, or why everyone who does not fancy themselves an art person does this. What makes these big pieces so much better and more worth seeing then all the lesser known paintings? Is it the artist behind the work or are the paintings themselves just that much better? My mind has been just so overwhelmed with art and brilliant images of the Renaissance, Baroque and the like that it has become hard to distinguish the good from the great.
Jonas
I find myself beyond excited for this travel term, as I am looking at it in a completely different way than I looked at the Asia trip. With this trip I am planning on not over thinking anything, and just keeping a positive attitude the entire time. During the Asia trip I found myself being negative a lot, in regards to leadership, travel mates, schoolwork, weather, basically anything I could complain about, I did. With this trip I want to go in with a positive mind the entire time, focus on the good in everything. In other words, where I looked at Asia as a being big learning curve, and a challenge, Europe is more of a vacation. Don’t get me wrong, I am totally expecting to learn a lot and change who I am, I am just looking forward to fully experiencing everything about the trip, without letting myself get worked up over little things.
March 23, 2009 – 10:14 am
I thought for my blog dealing with Thailand, I figured the best place to start would be with the Thai people. They are a strange bunch, and a lovely people but I really do not quite understand them. My family was wonderful but I really cannot get a grasp on when they were angry, sad, or happy. I was told before I came here that Thais don’t show much emotion, which is far from the truth, it’s just impossible to figure out which emotion they are showing. Ajaan Rien was trying to say “pork” to a lady on the phone, and she couldn’t understand the tone on the phone and it sounded like egg. It’s crazy. Our homestay mom was yelling on the phone really loud and sounded very angry, but then every once in a while would throw out a gut busting laugh. I just don’t get it. Our homestay dad seemed sad or angry all the time, but then out of nowhere would be positive or happy, I just don’t understand. I could make guesses or assumptions but I am gonna stick with the fact that I just don’t understand. So I have really enjoyed the strange and lovely bunch that are the Thai’s, but I definitely do not understand what makes them tick.
February 25, 2009 – 3:25 am
As I am writing this we are halfway through our trip through South East Asia. We have conquered the sweaty metropolis and tricycles of the Philippines, and the Sweaty Jungles of Malaysia (notice the common theme?) Well if you didn’t, it has been really freakin’ hot, but I am making it through I suppose.
The Philippines was a tremendous experience for me, we had a very good introduction to the homestay program. I know I was nervous going into it. We could not have been more warmly welcomed, and I know that for me, it really helped with the rest of the homestays that we have had since then, and I am very grateful for it. I miss the Philippines already, it seems like a country that is the most like me. It is apathetic when it needs to be, they eat a lot of delicious food, and they have great beer. Going in I was told that Filipino food is the hardest part of the Philippines to get used to, but I found it to be fantastic, maybe it was just the great cooking in our house.
I feel like Malaysia has come and gone so quickly I don’t even know what I can put in this entry for it. I had a great time in the village in Keningau, and would have loved to stay there longer. We trekked through the Jungles, and swam in amazing clear freshwater rivers in the jungle. What more can be said, I thought I would never have the opportunity to do these things. But I did them, and am very happy I did.
I am excited for the adventure that is Thailand. But at the same time, I am happy we are at the hump of the trip.
January 31, 2009 – 2:40 pm
I have wanted to go to Asia since I was barely ankle high, so this really is a life long dream come true. I mean sure I am excited for Europe as well but it just doesn’t have the same sense of adventure and nuance that Asia brings to the table. Sure I am nervous about a lot of things; (Broke Down Palace sure didn’t make things easier). There is this fear of the unknown that everyone will bring along with them, it is a natural feeling when going on a trip like this. I am looking past that fear and looking forward to all the new and exciting times that we will all be sharing. I am excited for the new and exotic foods that will tickle our taste buds. I am so excited to participate in the thriving Asian night life. I am looking forward to spending all sorts of money that I do not have on the the pocket book draining night markets in Chang Mai. I will be honest I am not expecting myself to go through some spiritual awakening, nor do I want to. I am excited for learning all sorts of new things, and seeing cultures that I have seen before. And of course there is also Karis’ flatulence and wise words that one could not ignore. I am excited for it all and will be on pins and needles until we board that flight in Toronto.
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