The other day i was talking with a friend about my exerience in Europe and the things i liked, didnt like, and the things i learned. I met so many people and each with a different background, upbringing, views, and thoughts and each with their own experiences stamped on their personality like an open book. Its easy to see how people think and behave once you take the time to learn of their own life and what they went through. But as i talked with my friend about these differences in people and places i realized you can tell infanitly more about a general population if you look at how they cross the road... It sounds strange but if you realy take the time to look it makes a lot of sence. Americans, with our numerous backgrounds and origins have such a hecktic population that we dont have much of a pattern when crossing the road. Cross where ever when ever and hope you dont get hit by a car or choose to wait for the green light or not. no one really cares how you cross. But as i looked at how people used their systems in their home country it really made the difference on how the people are as a population. For example... The Italians, with hecktic and congested roads, the people cross quickly and where ever they can and hope they make it without getting hit by a scooter on the sidewalk when and if they make it across. The French... use the walk signs and cross walks on the road and they take their time and dont think much about anything else but their agenda and what they need to do, catch the next train, grab a cab or take their sweet time. Their going to do it how they want to and at their own pace. The Germans... while i was in Berlin most of the time i think i got the general flow of things on the street, wait for the cross light, use the cross walks and follow the rules.... pretty straight forward but if someone runs across when there's a break in traffic, no one really cares. The Swiss.... You use the cross walk, you wait for the light, and thats how its done, follow the rules, dont ask questions and keep to yourself. If your dart across the street during a gap in traffic be ready for an angry look or a quick comment from a local. The Dutch... the bike is King and thats it.... and believe that. dont get in the way and if you are, be ready to get side swiped by i giant dutchmen on a bike. Its the small things that make a country, and its people, what it is. Of course ive learned more about culture and life in new countries but these small things make all the difference in understanding how things work and enjoying them or just being another tourist looking in from the outside.
I feel so so fortunate to be able to do what ive done and i know ill never forget what ive seen and done, the people ive met, learned about, and loved, and the things ive tasted, felt, and experienced. the trip of a lifetime is coming to a close but my lifetime is in full swing and i will take these things home with me and use them at every oppurtunity, tell my story to anyone that wants to hear it and make more and more memories with the people i love and have met here and at home. my brain is racing with the past 6 months, working my ass off at home to save money, meeting new people i did not expect before i left, coming to a new country with a handful of bags, a shoe string budget, and making it everything i could. Rugby and sledding in Switzerland, Beer at Oktoberfest, Sightseeing in Paris, Cocolate beer and fries in Brussels, Bike riding in The Netherlands, Beer and kisses in Berlin, and Friends all over the world. What else is there.
I did this for myself and in so many ways i needed to be selfish on this one. I thought of my family and friends constantly but was so happy to be here. Now im happy to be coming back to the people ive missed and loved back home. The real world begins, jobs, money, bills, love, heartbrake, friends, family, and the story of my life continues.
Until Next time
I love you and thank you all.
Michael Felts
