Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Two weeks has come and gone seemingly in the blink of an eye. As I reflect on our time abroad, I not only gained countless life experiences one would expect from being in another country but befriended 16 other brilliant people that I will never forget. I’ll share my complete thoughts on my wonderful travel mates later, but first — Europe!
I found Frankfurt the perfect entre to Europe for a first timer. Decimated by World War II, Frankfurt had to put itself back together which reveals a mostly modern city with lots of wide, straight streets and the most skyscrapers in Europe. However, Frankfurt made it a point to keep true to its roots in the areas that were not destroyed. The old town area still has the original opera house, church, and city hall square, but the residential buildings have been rebuilt to replicate the medieval structures destroyed in the war. I would not have known they were reconstructed had the guide not pointed it out.
We visited the Jewish Museum on the first full day in town and the experience there was profound. Frankfurt, and the banking industry in Germany, have deep roots in the Jewish community. You cannot untangle the influence each had on the other. I highly recommend a visit.
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the money museum and learning about how currency has evolved over the centuries, hearing lectures from the private LLC company that manages Germany’s public debt, how Frankfurt competes with Paris for EU financial dominance, and viewing the trading floor of Deutsche Boerse. During free time jaunts through the city, I and some travel mates made it to the top of Main Tower (tallest in Frankfurt) and stumbled upon what became my favorite eatery in the city called Café & Bar Celona. It wins the Best Tiramisu award.
Brussels started off rough for me, but I chalk that up to a late arrival after a very busy last day in Frankfurt. After a sleep in the smallest hotel room imaginable and a latte with breakfast in the morning, we ventured into a very old but very charming city that I quickly fell in love with. Brussels was not so affected by the Great War so it retains most of its original character.
Learning about the EU Commission and Parliament was fascinating to me, but Manneken Pis stole my heart. You’ve seen him whether you know it or not. The little, cherubic statue of a boy relieving himself into a fountain has been in Brussels since the 1500s. It was, at one point, where locals collected their water. Belgians have fun dressing him up in costumes throughout the year too, as a way to show they don’t take themselves too seriously.
There is a very vibrant area of restaurants and shops that has popped up around MP inviting a stroll to absorb the atmosphere. The chocolate museum, Choco Story, is a half block away and some of us enjoyed making chocolate treats in their workshop, as well as learning about the history of chocolate. The Atomium is a must see. The laser light show in one of the molecules is a fully immersive experience that I had a hard time leaving. Lunch at the top of the Atomium seated at a panoramic view table is now a core memory. Brussels is a gem.
No offense to the EU, but London stole my heart. The place I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint. The tour of Lloyd’s of London was captivating, and I could have happily stayed there all day. Again, the lecturers that spoke about British American Business, UK Sustainability Investment Funds, the economic effects of Brexit on the UK, and what the London Chamber of Commerce does for London locally and internationally were all so enlightening and I felt honored to be part of it.
On the cultural side of the London experience, several of us got to see Phantom of the Opera and Hamilton (also a new core memories). I loved riding the Tube, seeing the iconic red buses and black taxis, seeing horse drawn carriages leaving the gates of Buckingham Palace, and viewing the crown jewels at the Tower of London (pro tip: the line for the jewels basically disappears at 4:30). A slight error in mapping Tube stops presented me with a Hyde Park adventure to make afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. The adventure included stumbling upon a guard mounted 100 horse procession, an impromptu and admittedly humbling bicycle ride through the park, accidentally finding the Princess Diana statue, and the best tea and cucumber sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. I am happy to say that I also crossed off from my bucket list having fish and chips and a pint (or two) inside a real English pub. It’s safe to say that I will back to London as soon as possible.
Random things I will miss about Europe: individual bathroom stalls in every bathroom (even though I got locked inside one for a considerable amount of time), not having to tip or account for sales tax, the very minimal use of single use plastics, using trains and not having to drive, and charming cultures. Random things I will NOT miss about Europe: No A/C (or any type of indoor circulated air), having to buy water at restaurants, people not saying excuse me or yielding right of ways, people smoking everywhere, and deciphering the odd coinage amounts.
Now to my fellow students and faculty. This journey would not have been the same without you. The connections I experienced ranged from deep conversations in train stations to unabashed dances to Outkast in an Irish pub in Brussels. But what I really want to say is how impressed I am at all the things you all have accomplished so far and continue to achieve. Since I’m double the age of most of you, I can’t help the maternal pride from welling up within only to be accompanied by a sense of reassurance that the future is bright indeed. Thank you.
