TIP #2:
Restore Your Faith In Humanity
Restore Your Faith In Humanity
Never doubt the kindness and generosity of those around you
In a world where there is a plethora of anger, violence, and fear, it is difficult to feel safe while traveling in a foreign country, especially for a female and a little person. However, I am here to tell you that through my experiences, my faith has been restored in the world and the people that inhabit it. For the past ten days, my friends and I have been exploring the Eternal City and the City of Peace (aka. Rome and Assisi). On this incredible adventure I encountered over a dozen kind souls who went out of their way to assist me in everyday tasks and struggles.
Someone told me at the beginning of my trip that there are two people Italians will do almost anything for: babies and someone in a wheelchair.
I saw this statement in action countless times over the course of my ten days in Italy. With the help of those individuals who crossed my path, I mastered the Roman subway and bus systems, climbed 330 spiral stairs to the top of the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica (for free), and sat mere inches away from Our Holy Father, Pope Francis. I made friends with the metro workers, the security guards at the Vatican, and several strangers who offered their direction and assistance on the metro, the bus, and walking down the street. I also learned how to say elevator in Italian!
Although those ten days were filled with surprises, growth, adventure, and memories, the one thing that had the greatest impact on me was the extreme and endless kindness of people every place I visited. So if you have plans to travel Europe or the desire is in you to one day travel abroad, never doubt the generosity of the world. Although there may be those who will not reach out their hand to you, show your appreciation for those who do show you kindness and generosity.
A special tip: Once you have your itinerary set and you decide where you are going to be traveling, take the time to look up how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you in the language of those countries. People are much more willing to give you assistance if they see you are making an effort to reach out and understand them and their life as well. Don't forget to share a smile with the man who helps you onto the metro or the old women who gives you her seat on the bus. And never doubt that God will send you guardian angels to help you through the toughest traveling situations.
Although those ten days were filled with surprises, growth, adventure, and memories, the one thing that had the greatest impact on me was the extreme and endless kindness of people every place I visited. So if you have plans to travel Europe or the desire is in you to one day travel abroad, never doubt the generosity of the world. Although there may be those who will not reach out their hand to you, show your appreciation for those who do show you kindness and generosity.
A special tip: Once you have your itinerary set and you decide where you are going to be traveling, take the time to look up how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you in the language of those countries. People are much more willing to give you assistance if they see you are making an effort to reach out and understand them and their life as well. Don't forget to share a smile with the man who helps you onto the metro or the old women who gives you her seat on the bus. And never doubt that God will send you guardian angels to help you through the toughest traveling situations.
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