Thursday Thoughts: Travel

The other day, I saw a photo that was a hilariously accurate representation of what it's really like to travel as a student. As soon as I read it, I knew that it was going to be this week's topic of thought. (Thanks @amybelievesinpink!)

Even though studying abroad and living in Europe may look like it's all roses and rosé, there are so many parts of it that I don't necessarily post about. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten lost, missed trains, missed planes (!!), and been uncomfortable and unsure of myself. Traveling is the biggest blessing ever, but you guys, it is not always easy for the low key high maintenance individual who is KNOWN to overpack!! But, luckily, when things haven't gone as planned, I've relied on my beyond amazing best friends and family and my uncanny ability to fall asleep ANYWHERE and eat pizza for breakfast. So enjoy these rare shots of the unglamorous side of traveling abroad! 

Tonight I am writing this from a hostel alone 4000 miles from home. Traveling is such an incredible blessing and getting the opportunity to see so many things that I had only seen in books is incredible, however this semester has caused me to grow up more than the previous two years of college combined. Besides being reliant on them financially (which is a big thing, I understand) I have to make all of the decisions on where to go, when to go, where to stay, how to get there ect. And there are definitely times that things are not going to go according to planned. At all. This usually ensues in denial, then panic, acceptance, logic and then a solution. I never thought as an adult I'd miss my mom nagging me about stuff on family vacations, but you really take for granted parental planning when you have to organize it yourself. 

I think it's really easy to get caught up in the glamour of being in Europe (or any part of the world for that matter). In reality though, for all the highs, there are a couple of lows. What I have really learned is that for the occasional low, there is usually a good story and for every low, you learn a lesson that hopefully is not part of a reoccurring pattern. What also helps, is learning how to be prepared to prevent crises from coming up (aka not procrastinating and leaving early for things). Slowly, I think I'm getting the hang of it. But in the end, it's always ok to call mom for help too. 

Happy Thursday! {Image}