Travel Journal » IAD — FRA — MUC
Paris is always a good idea but to be honest, anywhere different from where you live is always a good idea. I’m a firm believer travel does wonders for the soul, which is why I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to visit Munich, Germany for a week. Dealing with ongoing personal issues, still reeling from a breakup I should have been over months ago, and unsure about the direction of my life, I was craving any opportunity to explore the world and fill my heart with happiness and wonder again.
When the idea of traveling to Munich first arose, I did what any person in this day and age age would do. I Googled, ‘Is Munich worth visiting?’ My initial search results weren’t particularly favorable. I was going to be using my carefully saved miles so it was important I visited somewhere “worth it.” While I realize this is an incredibly subjective question to be asking a search engine, I knew thousands of people before me had wondered and asked the same, and I was curious to know what my fellow citizens of the world thought of this Bavarian capital. My initial reaction was to wait — to see if somewhere “better” would come along — but the more research I did, the more I fell in love with the history and culture of the city, and I came to terms with the reality that any city you visit will be what it is you make of it. And honestly, how much of our lives do we waste waiting for something better to come around? How often do we fail to see the beauty and significance in the opportunities directly in front of us while we’re chasing something we think is bigger and greater? So with barely two weeks to prepare I decided to pull the trigger, and here I am, sitting on a Boeing 747, headed towards Frankfurt, Germany to make my way towards Munich.
I’ll only be in Germany for a week but I’ll gladly to take it. And through this culmination of events I can’t help thinking how funny and unexpected life is — how the people you think will remain forever are the quickest to abandon you and those you think will remain in the shadows emerge in your greatest time of need. A year ago I couldn’t have imagined I would be where I am in my life now and just a few weeks ago I couldn’t possibly have fathomed I would be sitting on a plane to Germany but isn’t that what makes life so beautiful? How unpredictable and unexpected it can be? How painful and heartbreaking it can be but almost immediately, how it will redeem itself and provide you with an opportunity and series of events that will take your breath away?
I’m on my way towards a completely new city on the other side of the world feeling nervous and excited, heart and mind open to adventure, friendships, and new experiences. I’m constantly hoping to revive and redeem others but for the next week I’m on a journey to restore, renew, revive, and redeem myself.