Two Guys, A Girl, and a Year in Europe

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When traveling with boys, be forewarned that the dynamics are different.


Profound and sentimental statements are often interrupted by inane comments like, "there is still chicken on your plate".

NBA and NFL players are discussed as if they were lifelong companions.

Games are played with more frequency and competition. We have become addicted to Gin Rummy, Scrabble and Risk.

The "who is the better athlete" debate is a daily occurrance.

Bodily functions and emissions have just become background noise.

Throwing rocks always seems like a good idea.

They make fun of me when I mention the need for a manicure. "Yeah! I need one too!" they tease.

I practice defensive eating maneuvers, solidly guarding my plate, but eventually succomb to their hungry eyes and the knowledge that their bodies need more food than I do.

Boys just create a different atmosphere.

They also add their own perspective to the trip and have been a lot of fun to travel with. I have been very lucky to travel with two polite, considerate, intelligent guys. Looking back over the past 142 days with Adam and three weeks with Elliott, we have shared many thrilling, growing, memorable moments. I will never forget the time that we have shared throughout this leg of the Europe journey.

The original intent of this trip was for self-discovery and personal growth. The time has come for each of us to grow and mature on our own. The time has come for me to fly solo. I will be traveling without the boys from this point forward. We will see Istanbul, Turkey together, and then go our separate ways. They will head north to Prague and London before flying home, and I am planning to take a slower pace through Eastern Europe.

I am excited about this prospect. I look forward to traveling without a safety net and relying on my own skills. The idea of possessing a day that is completely my own is thrilling to me: eating where I choose, visiting the places that I want, and deciding where I want to go next is a fantastic adventure. When traveling in groups, it is easier to rely on each other instead of branching out and conversing with others. When traveling alone, you are forced to apply yourself and reach out to others. I look forward to this change and the challenge that it brings.

Throughout this trip, I have learned that one of the greatest joys is being comfortable with yourself. Great peace comes from the pleasure of your own company. And so now the time has come for me to push off on my own. The next step of the journey is here.

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Photos

We discovered the halo of calm
Inside of a ruined Turkish bath in Nafpaktos, Greece

Comments

[Linnea and Joseph]

Games
I love your description of traveling with boys....I have a similar daily experiene living with the small boy in my house! By the way...of all of your pictures we have looked at in the last 30 minutes...Joseph responded to the pictures of games. He would like you to come "home" and play with him!