Week 4: An Ode to Wandering

There's a well known, maybe cliché, quote that's been popping into my head over the course of my adventures in Europe: "Not all those who wander are lost." There's an added humor to it, because I didn't even realize where the quote came from and as it turns out, it's a Lord of the Rings verse! I'm currently reading the first book, and while I haven't reached this quote yet, it's funny how it's been on my mind. 

Wandering feels like a fitting description for much of my activity in the last few weeks. There is no negative connotation to it, nor sense of misdirection or feeling lost. Even when we have been arguably lost, it has never included the expected sense of panic or confusion. Traveling has been founded in a feeling of surrender, of maybe not knowing where exactly I am, but being okay with that. I have found trust in knowing I will get where I need to be, whether according to my pre-established plan or not. 

This go-with-the-flow freedom has consistently included unexpected encounters. For example, this weekend my schwestern and I made our way to the train station and hopped on a random train to Dusseldorf. Our intention was to get off at the central station, but we accidentally found ourselves on the outskirts of the city at a tiny, random station. The train gone, we contemplated our next course of action. Our moment of dismay was incredibly short lived, though, because we very quickly heard the sound of trumpets and music. Following our increased sense of spontaneity, we ran down from the little platform and found ourselves on the street watching a parade go by! It was a fun little example of finding small joys in the midst of unintentional destinations. We got off at the wrong place, but got to enjoy a street parade and still get back on the next train to reach the city. There, too, we encountered an unexpectedly fun environment. To us it was a random Saturday in June, to Dusseldorf it was one year until UEFA was hosted in their city. The streets were flooded with football jerseys and singing and chanting and food. It was such a fun atmosphere to find ourselves in as we wandered around the city with no other goal than to explore and absorb our surroundings. 

Wandering seems easier when you're in an environment like study abroad. On a day to day schedule it may be less realistic, but here there is freedom to explore in such a way. However, I've come to appreciate that there may be more room in our lives for wandering than we realize. Maybe it's less situation-based and more character-based than we believe. For instance, I had the utmost joy of meeting my German aunt and her husband, Otto, this past Friday. They drove four hours to meet me in Andernach and share the most vibrant example of family and love. Our reunion included dinner and ice cream, all while wandering the city! None of us had been in Andernach before, but that didn't hinder our time together. It was small, but I loved the way that no one felt the need to Google a place to eat, and instead was content roaming the town until we found a cute biergarten on the Rhine or eis café for giant sundaes. I was overwhelmed by the sense of family that was emphasized to me even while in a foreign country. I had never visited Germany before this, nor had I known more than just stories about the family that lived here, and yet I was immediately embraced as a niece and loved one. Spending time with my newfound family made me realize how independently Grace and I have been "wandering." We explore and learn so much, often by result of our situation, becoming more and more efficient at finding train stations, routes, and new places. With my aunt and uncle, though, we could take a backseat as they lead the way, walking us to the train station and waiting with us before saying goodbye. It was a sweet reminder of the reliability of family, and the love that bonds members even without having ever met before. 

While the DeutschBahn train system has been consistently unreliable and the cause of many Germans' frustrations, I have loved the freedom that comes with hopping on a train and traveling to a new place every week. The increase in trust has been notable as our destinations are unassured, but our ways provided for. As the end of our trip draws closer and closer, one of the many lessons I hope to bring home is this surrender in the midst of our planned and scheduled day-to-day life. There may be more room for wandering than we let ourselves think, so where will you wander today? 

Wherever I walk, my feet are guided. 

Whatever I leave, I find something new. 

In the midst of the journey, You're always beside me. 

No matter the ending, I'm following You.