Everything has an end point. An apex. A rock bottom. That
place where the only direction you can go is down or up. Or maybe nowhere at
all.
One of my many nicknames is The Prize Winning Travel Pig
named Andrew. The etymology of this in-joke is lengthy. Suffice it to say that
it refers to an ability to win competitions: admissions and awards which are conducive to
continued travels.
When I arrived for grad school in Wroclaw, I expected to
settle well into local life. My summer internship in Thailand and Cambodia had
been one of my more trying positions. My home-stay in Pakistan was an eye
opening but uncertain adventure. It was
time to head back down. I know and love Poland. Travel there would be like coming
home to a different world.
Then I got called away to Slovenia for citizenship matters. Twice
to Ukraine for scholarship reasons. And back to South Hills for Christmas break.
Professors complained regarding my
absences. I made a comeback to earn the equivalent of straight A’s that January.
Even as Poland’s winter took its toll. I
still felt like I needed a vacation after I returned from February’s family
trip through Italy, Malta and Tunisia.
That wasn’t an option. One of my closest friends contacted me while I was in Valletta She wanted to know if she could visit in Poland. I knew the country and language. So, she asked if I’d show her the major cities. Of course I agreed. I immensely enjoyed my friend's company. The exercise of the trip drove me into the ground. I’d hit rock bottom. It was time to rest.
That wasn’t an option. One of my closest friends contacted me while I was in Valletta She wanted to know if she could visit in Poland. I knew the country and language. So, she asked if I’d show her the major cities. Of course I agreed. I immensely enjoyed my friend's company. The exercise of the trip drove me into the ground. I’d hit rock bottom. It was time to rest.
My USC Marshall international studies coordinator always
encouraged students to develop a connection with were one studies abroad, instead of
compulsively traveling to neighboring countries. I agree with him. During this semester
I was finally able to take his advice.
It was liberating. For
the first time in a while, I lived at a slower pace for an extended time period.
I attended class and cooked my meals. I dealt with reading of my utility meters.
As corny as it sounds, I had time to contemplate my existence.
The liberation became oppressive after a few months. Attending
class and going to the store became an outing. The squeal of a neighbor’s door
bell began to spike my nerves. My refuge
became contemplation of my past through novels and childhood escapades. There was no promise in the future. No reason
to look forward.
I enjoyed my time
in Wroclaw. But after a few months, everyday activities became strenuous. I’ll
have been here basically 4 months by June. I haven’t stayed in any city that long
since I was 16. Stress is a masochistic alcohol. The less one habitually
intakes, the more it’s effect.
I’ve contacted the same friend who visited me in Poland. We’re
going to Ireland this June. The next family trip is in the works. It will be in some tropical local. I’ll be interning in Luxembourg this summer too.
Hopefully, it will lead to farther opportunities. The
only place to go is up. The only way out is through. It’s time to reach for a
new apex.
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