If nothing else, I am curious to my core. I have always wanted to learn about everything and experience life as much as possible. In elementary school, I would write questions on my hands to remind myself to ask the teacher about them later. In middle and high school, this habit transitioned to writing questions in my Notes app on my phone. In Dean Story's words, I am a Sponge. I seek to soak up as much knowledge and experience as I can because I know my opportunity to do it again may be limited. I love hearing different languages and exploring cultures different from my own. While I might not make it to every attraction, I explore the ones I do go to thoroughly and enjoy them just as much. Travel holds a special place in my heart; what a beautiful way to learn and grow!
While I am endlessly curious, I do have my limitations. For starters, I tend to stress about money (perhaps more than I should). I want to experience everything, but that can be hard to do on a budget. I have to learn to prioritize certain things. As a Sponge traveler, this can be difficult. I think that's the importance of learning who you are and what you value. Dean Story mentions being able to recognize when you are not acting in line with your values or character. Knowing who you are allows you to better understand your limitations, which can be essential in an unfamiliar environment. One of the things I value most is transparency. I think communication is integral to any successful relationship, but communication means nothing if you aren't being honest. I always appreciate knowing what's going on-I can only "go with the flow" for so long. I do not like feeling uncertain or misinformed, especially in a country where I am unfamiliar with the native language. In my opinion, transparency is fundamental to the success of this trip.
From this experience, I hope to gain more knowledge about culture and human sexuality. I look forward to learning about the Netherlands' stance on human sexuality, and I imagine it will be refreshing considering how restricted parts of the United States can be about sex and sexuality. Here in the U.S., I really enjoy the arts and all things creative. I am so excited to explore all of the museums that Amsterdam has to offer! Van Gogh was my favorite artist for a large portion of my life, so I am beyond stoked to be able to go see his museum. I have a keepsake box with his Irises painted on top. Overall, Europe has a fascinating history, and Amsterdam is no exception. I absolutely cannot wait to explore the city and see all it has to offer! I guess I truly am a Sponge.
 |
| Part of the breathtaking Palace of Versailles, from my last adventure. |
See you abroad!
Claire💌
Word Count: 488
"I have acted with honesty and integrity in producing this work and am unaware of anyone who has not."
No comments:
Post a Comment