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I have this weird double feeling. One part my soul feels so happy, free and refreshed. Being in a foreign place, meeting new people, learning new things, in the countryside dotted with windmills and church steeples in an area nestled next to the sea. Then the other part of me that feels like I've been hit by a bus when I try to lift my eyelids in the morning and as I try to study in the evenings. Surely the jet lag had gone by now, I know I'm not getting a heap of sleep but I think it may just be the sheer amount of information that is coming at me like a tornado that I need to grab and hold onto and there is no stop to the pressure!
Amazing stuff - just so much! Learning the history, plus the culture, food, entertainment, sport and quirky facts of about 20 different countries. On top of this, the way to deliver this in a fun entertaining way with confidence. On top of that, directions and city layouts. Then learning all the optional activities Topdeck offer, the places they use for accommodation and food. Learning how to balance accounts even across the different currencies and different sub accounts that will be involved with taking 40 people around Europe for a few weeks. Trying to pick up a few basic words in different languages and sooo much more. I plan to stick this out... If I don't, it's probably because my brains have literally burst out of my head!
This is the easy part. In 5 days we hit the road for 6 weeks and travel to a new city or country every second day - sometimes everyday! We have only the time in each place to get any walking or driving tours down to a fine art, learn all there is to learn about the accommodation, public transport, night life, attractions/sightseeing and opening hours before we are off to the next! Crazy but soooo exciting! I love this adventure, lets see if I am still seeing that in the midst of my Europe wide treasure hunt. Über exciting fact I learnt today - Salzburg is a day stop on the training trip! I have always wanted to go. Yeeeeee! I also got very excited when I remembered ill also be going to Munich. Ah and soooo many more.
When it gets tough I need to remind myself of how privileged I am. They mentioned the other day to the 32 of us potential trip leaders that there had been thousands of applications, so much so they had to cut off accepting anymore. How and why they picked me, I'm unsure, but they did, so I'll be happy!
Definite moments of feeling overwhelmed and out of my depth I try to push out of my thoughts. Anything you visualise is possible. In class yesterday we did a little self discovery exercise and it made me so aware of who I am and I had this sure sense I'm in the right place doing the right thing and got goosebumps at the thought of how blessed I am. I love life. Though I'm tired right now, life still makes me smile!
There has been a freezing wind and there was snow when we first arrived which kept most indoors but I have been sure to head out, all rugged up, for a walk at lunch. Fresh air (and that it sure is!) is the best medicine and helps me prepare for the afternoon session. I got out for my first run since leaving NZ yesterday, sea on one side of me, countryside and snow on the other side of me, clear blue sky and sun low in the sky. Bliss.
Today I saw the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my life. I may have said this in my Dubai blog also, but this definitely trumped it. Dubai still stands as most amazing sunrise. I took photos tonight which I almost want to delete at the pure injustice they are to the spectacular sunset. The golden orange ball on the horizon was seriously the real life version of something out of the Lion King!
After dinner Em and I set out for a brisk evening walking, not realising there are zero street lights heading into the village. We were thankful for the full moon which was also so beautiful, big and golden.
We got into town which was dead silent, quaint little streets and lamps with homes that look like ginger bread houses! Everything so clean, tidy and perfect. Too perfect. We felt like we were walking through a movie set and it was super eerie and spooky! Must say we had our pace on when we heard a chainsaw working a way in the distance. Fairly certain we were part of a horror scene we made a beeline back to our accommodation reassuring ourselves we were in probably the safest little community in the world!
Good news, we made it back alive which is how I am here, eating chocolate and bring you this tale of the two Emily's in Zeeland!
- comments
Mum Awesome Min. Just love reading your blogs. Just a fantastic time uou are having. Love you xxx
Vix Min! I love reading your blog too! It's amazing and you are a great writer!! But how are you crazy kids finding time to blog and walk and run? Amazing! Gosh I'm a like a broken record but make sure you're getting enough sleep and study wherever you can. Sleep / study priorities :) but keep blogging cos i love to read it. Good luck xxx
Rach Haha you crack me up Minnie. I have always loved your descriptive language.. you so need to write a book or two or three or more one day!! Glad you're still safe n sound. Love you heaps xx
Rach P.S. You so make us feel like we're there and not missing out!! Thank you! :-) xx
Li Hey Min, when you do write a book or two or three or more, I know a qualified proof reader ... :-)