DANKE Switzerland

Nothing like traveling solo in Europe to really cause me to ponder my life and the direction in which it’s headed.

Showing up to a hostel solo in the middle of the week is how I think it would feel on the bachelor to enter the mansion in the middle of the season. Most people either traveled with others or came solo but have already formed a squad. I lucked out big time night one meeting Elke, a girl from the Netherlands, who quickly turned into my favorite travel buddy. It’s a forever friendship (sorry girlie you aren’t getting rid of me… no matter how many miles apart) that somehow started because of a book.

Fun fact about me that my mom LOVES to point out. I love the idea of reading and purchasing books… but I will never end up actually reading them. I pack a book on every trip thinking it will be different than the last and I will read at least one page. With this intention in mind, I like always… brought a book with me on this trip. But then when I was trying to decide what to cut down on before the next leg of the trip so my bag would be lighter. I decided to be honest with myself and part with the book I packed.

As I walked through the train station on my way to Switzerland, a book caught my eye. There is something about a good crisp paper back that just draws me in (to apparently buy it and carry it around). I saw the book “Where the Crawdads Sing” and remembered my mom mentioning she really liked the book and the movie was coming out soon. So I thought with all my free time on my solo trip, I would read it and then take her out to the movies when I got home (well I would invite her to the movies, and she would probably end up paying because she refers to me as her broke best friend). So there I was replacing the space I just freed up in my bag with yet another book.

As I mentioned before, the cliques of people at the hostel intimidated me. So I decided instead of engaging with them, I would go to the backyard of the hostel and sit at a picnic table with my book because again I thought this time would be different. I would finally prove to myself and my mom, I finished a book.

But before I even read a page, Elke walked over and asked how far I was into it because she too had brought the book and was about to start reading it. I had to break it to her that I hadn’t read anything past the book cover and I probably wouldn’t end up reading more than those 4 words in big font on the front.

For some unknown reason this psychopathic book tendency didn’t turn her away because we ended up spending the next 5 days together. We met some others as well along the way and created our little crew of peeps in their 20s running amuck in Switzerland. It was a feeling I had been missing since college. I missed having the space and time to just be a kid and explore. Since I graduated, I sometimes get the impression others my age seem to have it all figured out, while I often feel a lack of clear direction. But I think the truth is everyone is lost and trying to figure out what happens in this 10 year gap (20-30) that no one really talks about.

Elke is a big believer in listening to the “signals” the universe gives you. For example, if the path you are going down seems to be working out and resulting in all these “green lights” keep chugging along if it is what feels good and bringing you a joyful purpose. But if you are getting a ton of “red lights” maybe it’s time for a detour. Obviously there are times these obstacles are just hurdles and not road blocks. Sometimes the best things in life aren’t easy. I read something the other day that said we “spend our lives building ideas rather than learning how to feel.” I often find myself navigating based on what seems to be expected rather than what feels right.

Elke and I had no set plans and everyday somehow turned out incredible. We would just start our day and follow what felt right aka those green lights. To be fair it’s hard to do anything in Switzerland and not be amazed by the beauty surrounding you. We asked someone where we could hike and the response was “Do you know where you are? You are in the Swiss Alps. You can hike anywhere.” Every night we would get home and be amazed at how perfect everything worked out. But there were obviously some scenarios that we thought may have been signs to just quit while we were ahead. 4 potential red light moments… turned out to be just the hurdles in the road or I guess I can call them “yellow lights” to stay on the traffic light analogy. Instead of slowing down though we essentially floored it and hoped for the best. All gas. No brakes.

1.Thunderstorms during our lake day… swam anyways. Top 10 moments in my life… so far.

2. Only restaurant open for a late night dinner was Hooters. I know I can’t believe they had one in Switzerland either. But turned into a unique way to share American culture with Elke.

3. Thought we saw a fire on a nearby mountain. Called the police to report it which somehow ended up with Elke and Ben in the back of the police car to point out what we saw. Turns out all the mountains have orange lights so planes don’t run into the peaks. The Swiss police were way too kind… and reassured us they would rather it be a false alarm than it be real and us not call. Emergency # is 211. In case anyone finds themselves in Switzerland and sees a real fire.

4. Elke and I witnessed this base jumper pull his parachute at the last possible second. And land in someone’s cow pasture instead of the designated landing area. He survived… so we kept on hiking.

I need to note #1-3 all took place on the same day. We also had to tell the cops we saw the fire while walking home from Hooters. Which may have been more embarrassing than the fact we called in a non existent fire.

Our group consisted of a crew who were all taking a pause from the career or degree we have been grinding for. Did I mention Elke is studying to be a criminal lawyer?! Seriously such a badass. We all had different reasons or intentions for our trips but I think I was unknowingly searching to feel. Feel something bigger than myself… bigger than my job… bigger than my normal everyday stressors. Feel the adrenaline when jumping into a lake during a storm. Feel the joy of new connections. Feel the sadness when you have to say goodbye.

Those feelings of something real, are what we should be craving and searching for. Not for what makes the most sense based off your degree or societies implicit pressure of what we should be doing and when we should be doing it.

I should be taking these feelings and green lights into account as I figure out this thing called life and the direction I want to go. I am so thankful I followed all the green lights to Switzerland and bought another book. Like always, I didn’t end up reading it. But it brought me Elke instead. So I’m gonna count that as a win.

I guess what I am saying is I am now one of those “I went abroad and it changed my life” annoying people.  And one blog post will never do this trip justice so I am sure there will be more. Also, HOW IS THIS PLACE REAL?!?

Cheers,

E