March 25, 2011

• Just Say YES! [pics]

  Upon arriving in Germany with the rest of my program, we all received a stern word or two about expectations.  The expectations that the German government holds, that our host families hold, that our job providers hold, and so on.  Most of it was pretty obvious and dry.  Some of it was poorly written – in example, do not use Germany as your “sexual Disneyland”.  But one thing really stuck with me.

  We were encouraged, from the very first day, to say yes to everything that we were invited to do.  When my host mom asks me to go grocery shopping with her, or when a friend wants me to try a waltz class, or when my Gymnasium want to take a group trip to Munich.  Even things that sound boring or are out of our comfort zone – with the exception of illegal activities, of course – should be met with a resounding YES.

  And for the last nine months, I have always said yes.  And ninty percent of the time, I was all the happier for it.  One hundred percent of the time, I learned something.

  I’ve gone bobsledding down a mountain.  I’ve learned to ride an Icelandic horse – somewhere between Western and English riding.  I’ve had a mass (1 L) of beer at the Hofbrauhaus.  I’ve seen a man suspended in a class cage surrounded by sparking electricity at the German Science Museum.  I’ve seen Roman churches and French battle grounds.  I’ve seen seagulls in Holland.  I’ve seen ravens at the Tower of London.  I’ve seen a 30 Minutes to Marz concert in Switzerland, and eaten in a thousand year old cafe in southern France.  I’ve eaten things like Blutwurst and Stinkkase, and tasted New Wine with onion-cake.  I’ve seen the Black Forest.  I’ve seen the most beautiful Arabian horses in the world.  I’ve bungee jumped and walked across a tightrope.  I’ve ridden on a bicycle made for two.  I’ve climbed the Berlin Wall.  I’ve spent the day with the firemen in Bonn.  I’ve been to Christmas markets in three different countries.  I’ve been Kageln.  I’ve celebrated New Years on the Rhein.  I’ve exchanged kisses for roses during Karnival.  I’ve been to a public viewing for the Soccer World Cup, screaming right along with the Germans during the game against Spain.  I’ve climbed to the top of the Cathedrals in Cologne and Strasbourg.  I’ve skipped stones on the Bodensee.  I’ve eaten grapes off the vine at a world famous orchard. I’ve met wonderful people and learned personal stories that books couldn’t even compete with.

  I’ve fallen in love.

   

  Today, I attempted to ride a unicycle.

   

  What have you said yes to lately?

   

  

  

  

   

  M

  • 1:33 pm
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