When in Rome

I think that the thing that I have enjoyed the most while in Europe is getting to see how other people live.  This was especially true in the Netherlands, where we stayed with Dutch Families in their homes.  We ate what they ate, we drank what they drank, and I felt like we experienced a little piece of the culture of that part of the world.  My hosts in Gouda, for example, were some of the best hosts I've ever had.  They were genuinely interested in our lives and tried to make us as comfortable as possible.   In Russia, some of us had the opportunity to sample the local specialty (no need to mention its name here) and see the result of 80 years of a planned (and brutal) economy.  In Germany, we have had more of an opportunity to interact with some of the local people which was been incredibly lucrative and in some cases, emotional.  Last night, the city of Heidelberg launched fireworks over the river.  While the display was no Taste of Chicago, it was beautiful.  The best part, though, was that I walked by myself through crowds of Germans and watched as they talked to each other.  I felt like an adult.... and like I could fit in with these people :).

One of the hardest things about this trip is traveling with 45 other Americans..... excited and very loud Americans.  I try to be patient because I understand that everyone is very excited and wants to express everything that pops into their head (I do it too).  But sometimes, its SOOOO embarasing!  We might as well plaster a giant Stars and Stripes above our head bearing the logo "Hey Ya'll!".  The other kind of funny thing that I've discovered about most Americans is that you can usually pick them out in a crowd without ever hearing a word that they say.  The clothes, the demeanor, the.... look.  On Choir tour, some of my friends and I would play "find the American".  Whoever won at the end of the trip got a piece of apple pie.