This past summer I had the opportunity to travel across Europe with a lovely group of musicians from South Dakota, all between the ages of 14-19. We set off from Minneapolis and landed in England not soon after. From there we traveled to France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Germany, all by coach. We were abroad for a mere 16 days, but those 16 days were some of the most forming days of my life. I learned so much about the world, about those countries, about myself even. So for you future travelers: here are somethings I learned while traveling abroad.
2. Learn to hold your pee because not every country has free public bathrooms.
3. The smaller the bag, the better.
4. Just because you are agitated does not mean everyone you are traveling with is.
5. Paprika Pringles are the greatest invention ever.
6. Be extremely careful when walking through gift shops, one abrupt turn around could cost you.
7. Always have some cash on you because not everywhere takes card like in America.
8. If you choose to sleep on the bus, know that you are missing out on some great views.
9. Snickers taste better in Switzerland (Swiss chocolate maybe?)
10. Friends are easy to make, but hard to keep: be kind!
11. Learning to say please and thank you in every language will come in handy.
12. Water is not always free.
13. The Queen of England doesn’t just hang around in her yard.
14.vPack light!
15. Switzerland has some of the nicest people you have ever met.
16. Watch out for Gypsies, they will take your money if you aren’t being smart
17. For those traveling in summer: pack sunscreen.
18. European coach drivers are extremely talented people.
19. German beer is as good as they say.
20. One cannot live off crepes alone.
Through all the parks, museums, castles, over and under all the bridges, and up and down all the stairs the lessons I learned during my travel in Europe have come in handy even now that I am back in the US. To this day the people I traveled with are some of my best friends even though they live hours away. Traveling in such close quarters for that long really brings together a group of people. So wherever you are traveling keep my lessons in mind.
Safe travels friends!
XOXO,
