That moment when you’re peering out of the tiny window, and you begin to feel the plane’s engine rumble underneath your feet. You sit carefully with the uncertainty of who has domain over the arm rest as you awkwardly side-eye the person next to you. The plane begins to slowly move towards the runway and then pauses with much anticipation. A big roar overwhelms the plane and you fall back into your seat as the pilot accelerates the plane into flight. That moment of lift off when you begin to move your jaw in a circular rotation to pop your ears and see the city quickly disappear into the clouds; my favorite moment.

I am like a child on Christmas Day when it comes to flying. I almost always get the window seat and always press my face against the window, because I’m so excited to be going somewhere again. It’s been two years since I last travelled and that is two years too long. Being on the constant move is an exciting way to live, for me. I make a point to go somewhere new every year. Whether that place be in the States or a different continent, to live nomadically is thrilling. I guess it’s similar to the life of the military. Most people whom I’ve met that have come from a military family hate that they move so much, and I can understand why they would, but think about all the cultures you’re exposed to! To each their own I suppose.

Berlin, Germany was a great time. Though when I first arrived, I was struck with culture shock. A feeling so unknown to me, I could hardly comprehend it. Here I was trying to multi-task in figuring out the bahn system, and trying to remember all the German words I learned four years ago, with all of my bags hanging off of me. Needless to say, I remained tacit and committed to getting lost.

I arrived at my hostel, located in the heart of the city, and had the first thought that I never thought I would have: why am I traveling? When those words rushed through my head, I had to slap myself, but then I seriously contemplated the reasons. I arrived a few days before Christmas and the lonely factor was quickly settling in. People who know me, know that I hardly ever miss home, but when the 24th arrived, traveling alone became less enticing. In Germany, Christmas lasts for three days; Germans celebrate Christmas on the 24th, the 25th is reserved for more family time, and the 26th is boxing day. So when I came to Berlin during that time, the city basically shut down for three days. Luckily, I met a group of amazing people and culture shock and homesickness was forgotten. So when all of us were traveling during the holidays, I decided a good bonding time would be to take them on an adventure that required getting lost for the majority of the time. Those three days were filled with döner kebaps, glühwein, and walking… lots of walking.

Throughout this Europe/Scandi trip, whenever I introduced myself, someone inevitably ends up asking me, “don’t you get lonely?” or “why are you traveling alone?” To answer both, I travel by myself because I live for independency and freedom to do and eat whatever I want, whenever. I don’t have the burden of worrying about whether or not if the other person is having fun. Granted, traveling solo may start off lonely, but it’s up to myself to change that. It forces me to break out of my comfort zone and to sit down at a random table in a hostel. By doing this, I met a group of Brazilians who taught me Portuguese, and another duo from Munich who came to Berlin to celebrate the New Year.

Steph, an Aussie gal and roommate, asked me the question of whether or not I get sad whenever newly made friends leave after a few days. The truth is, yes I do, but that’s life. The people I meet during my travels are often the ones that become friends for a lifetime, so I’m not too worried because I know I’ll see them again soon.

The places you go can offer heaps of fun, but it’s the people you meet and befriend that can make or break that trip. It’s not always noticeable, but people have a strong effect and connection to certain cities/countries, at least for me it does. I am fortunate enough to have met great people on all of my travels that persuade me to go back for more. Ironically, this trip was like a two year reunion for me and the Australian friends I made when I lived over there. Some I know really well, and some I met while traveling around Australia.The little things in life that help me remember the reasons I travel.

I travel not because I can’t commit to one coordination, but because there’s a whole world out there with people to meet, places to explore, and food to devour. This new year started off with me and Courtney, dancing on a bridge in Würzburg to the beat of popping fireworks. With a start like that, it’s going to be a good year and my planning for a world backpacking trip is slowly in the works. Berlin is an amazing city and Germany as a whole is an amazing country. As my time there slowly winded down to my last night, I pulled an all-nighter just to soak in some more time with Berlin. I hadn’t booked any accommodation for that night, but I did however, make friends with the hostel’s receptionists so I could bum around until I had to catch my flight. A Swede and a Brit stood behind the counter working their night shift while entertaining me so that I wouldn’t fall asleep. What fine gents they were.

 

I sluggishly boarded the plane and gazed at Tegel airport. As the cabin lights dimmed and the pilot was announcing our destination, I fell back into my seat as the plane ascended. I looked down at the quickly disappearing city, and in that moment I began to miss Berlin.

Ich liebe dich, Deustchland! Auf Wiedersehen.