Purposely Lost.

We are overwhelmed with advice on where to travel to. We hear little of why we should go but how we could be more fulfilled by doing so; makes perfect sense, right? No. But it does, in our own heads. "Oh yes, that place sounds very interesting, oh yes I want to go there." meanwhile, I've only told you that the weather was nice and I saw some famous places. But of course, the same reaction is present. "I'd like to see that, I'd like to do that..." Dazed with incredible sights that we have never seen, only in our heads, but these images beg us to visit them. Taunted with the longing for memories to be created. Wanting to be part of something bigger than the place you reside at the moment. Few people come to the two roads diverged, but when you do, when I have, take the path less traveled by. It will make all the difference.

Travel is cheap hostels with one shower and maybe some hot water; if you’re lucky. It’s slow Internet connections, but no problem, because you’d rather be out exploring than on the internet. Travel is extraordinary conversations with ordinary people. It’s your life becoming the most interesting thing to the person at the bar next to you. It someone else’s life becoming more fascinating than yours could ever be. It’s cathedrals that are persuasive enough to dare to enter. It’s the realization that you might have been born in the wrong country, but being proud of it any way. Travel is taking a subway to a town you haven't discovered yet. Travel is the smile that leads to the best conversations in broken English. Travel is finding who you are in a city that you can’t even pronounce the name of. Travel is the same pair jeans again tomorrow. Travel is forcing yourself into a train with laughing strangers and new found friends. It’s a street full of bearded backpackers looking down at maps, pointing up to streets, and speaking a language you’re not sure of. A voice pleading you to come with them, to discover what is around the corner. Travel is wishing for one more bite of whatever that just was. Travel is getting off at a random train station, just because. It’s the rediscovery of walking somewhere and not knowing where “somewhere” is. It’s sharing a bottle of liquor on an overnight train to God knows where, with a new friend. Travel is getting drunk with a room full of people you've never met. Travel is something unexpected, something inexplicable.  Your travels are forever in your heart. Forever to tell stories.

Forever to be part of you.

"The hitch-hiker was a figure that defined a free-wheeling era. But for both hitcher and driver, the outcome wasn't always expected."

 I think that hitch hiking is such a cool means of transportation. The idea that someone could trust another soul so quickly, so easily, enough to get into a car with them, off on an adventure that neither party know of yet. For the driver the mystery of who is this person and why are they here? For the hitch hiker, its a question of who is this person and why did they stop for me? You learn to expect what is not expected. To have the courage to stick your stubby thumb up as an unsuspecting car approaches, and then yet, the courage to even get in when the car stops. What a thrilling adventure, don't you think? The driver could have a completely different mindset about where he would leave you. You could be wanting a ride to Calais (a city in the North of France) But,  the driver could need to go to Amsterdam first. You're then in for an adventure of your life, with a soul you just met, about to have a new tale to tell for generations. Cool, isn't it?

No, 

I haven't gone hitch hiking,

yet. 

So don't worry, 

yet.

Sweet Serendipity.

Don't Blink.

3 months. 3 amazing months. 3 crazy beautiful months. 3 incredibly terrifying months. 3 months.

131,487 minutes, gone. 394,133 minutes, left.

   525,600 minutes.
- 131,487 minutes.
=394,133 minutes.

Don't blink, time goes too fast.

The moments I have spent here, have been some that I can't even begin to describe to people. I have traveled, I have learned, I have seen, I have experienced, and I have danced. My life here has been so very incredible. There have been times where I have screamed my lungs out, singing with my friends. There have been times I have cried my eyes out because my sister was leaving me. There have been times where I have laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe. There have been times where I have been so frustrated that I wanted to break down and not continue; but that was the moment that I realized I had to keep going. You just have to keep going. Keep your head up, and keep going.

Last week, I was really very sick. So many things were going on, so many things I could've been a part of, but I wasn't allowed to be. That was the worst feeling ever. Being able to do things, but not, at the same time. It was such a disabling feeling. I wish I was well enough to do all the things I missed out on. That's what makes this experience so special. There are so many things I do, so many things I am part of, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I would hate to be missing out on so much.

In a few weeks, we have a Christmas Ball. I am so very excited, way to excited for words actually. We will go shopping for dresses soon. I also got invited to several parties already for December. One for Maria on the 15th, One for my new friend Taba on the 17th. One Rotex weekend the 7th-9th. It's so crazy that its already November, and that I'm already planning out December.

This past Thursday, we went to a Kirmes, in Soest. Which, is a Carnival. It's the largest Kirmes in Europe. And it was so cool to go to. We went after school, it wasn't too far, only about 45 minutes by train. The Kirmes was so cool, It was loud, and had so many rides. The whole Kirmes was throughout the entire city. It was really beautiful. I had a great time, I was so happy I could go.

Last night, Friday, was a small party at Maria's counselor's house. We had Brasilian food and drinks. It was a really awesome night too. We ate, and then sat around and played music and sang all night. It was cool to just sit and chill and enjoy the company of other people. That's what I like about things here. People are happy to just sit, and be with each other. In Florida, you always have to be doing something, but here, it's just easy to be with people.

My remaining 394,133 minutes I will spend here will be the best. Better than what i have already experienced, even though it may be incredibly hard to beat. My time here has been absolutely unforgettable. I cannot even begin to describe all the fun, crazy times I have had.
I look back on all my pictures that I have already taken. I see all the things I have already done. I can't believe that this much time has already passed by. I wish it would go slower, but it doesn't. You blink and it's just....gone. It makes me so sad and so happy at the same time to look at my pictures. They are really great times, but also they have already happened.
Now they are just precious memories.
Memories. That's what they are.
Only memories.
I love to remember them, but it's completely heartbreaking at the same time. They have already happened. The time has already passed.
I just can't even begin to imagine how the rest of the year will go. 

I can't blink.
I won't blink.

                                                          Sweet Serendipity.