“How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big
And girl, this time you’re on your own
But it’s time you started living…”
I’m a little young to quote the old Mary Tyler Moore show. But all of you out there who haven’t watched a few episodes really should. It’s kind of an inspiring show. Mary Tyler Moore plays Mary Richards, who has moved from New York to Minneapolis to start a new life. I identify with her because she can be emotional and sometimes has trouble expressing herself . . . in other words, she cries at everything, whether it’s a meeting with her boss or saying good-bye to someone, or really making any decision in life. We tear up to easily.
So here I am, starting a four-month journey through Europe and Morocco, starting the biggest adventure of my life, and literally tearing up every two minutes. And I left all my Rhodas at home . . . This is the first time I’ve ever been on my own. Sure, I was on my own when I was in college at Madison, but I have friends and a boyfriend there, my parents and grandparents live less than an hours’ drive away, and my sister visits me quite often. So really, if I needed support or family or food, it was literally a phone call away. Now, the only person I have to rely on is myself. I’ve managed to get myself to the Warsaw airport AND the right terminal to catch my connecting flight to Geneva and buy a $9.00 bottle of water . . . just kidding, 9 Polish dollars . . . And now, I’m waiting for the biggest step of the day: landing in Geneva, getting myself to the hostel, and finding dinner. And possibly, if I’m feeling up to it, go see the lake. It’s such a mind-blowing feeling. I’M IN EUROPE RIGHT NOW. And I’ll be in Africa in 3 weeks! I wonder when it will sink in. It’s still a dream to me. I saw it on the map: I saw the plane flying over Canada, the Atlantic, Ireland, Liverpool, Amsterdam, Denmark, and Berlin, and I know I saw us land in Warsaw, but to be honest, from the airport, Warsaw looks like Chicago. Nothing special except lots of folks speaking Polish. I almost feel bad walking up to people and just start speaking English, but I guess that’s ok while I’m in the airport. Once I get to Geneva I’ll get my French on.
So, for those who are curious: I know that my blog is categorized under “Africa” because I’m studying abroad in Morocco, but for now, I will write a bit about my Europe adventures. I’m starting in Geneva and visiting these cities: Zurich, Arles, Caracassonne, St Malo, and Paris before flying to Fez! Oh, we’ve just been called to get on the plane . . . more later!
It’s a big, big trip. A big scary trip in the big, scary world for someone whose never traveled before. But the good news is… I’m in Geneva now. It is beautiful. I’ll post in a few days about my adventures in Europe, but for now . . .
“You’re gonna make it after all!” Just like Mary does. 🙂