29th of April. 2018
The time came and the level of my German grammar sucks too much. So for everyone's good, I decided to change to write in English. Two reasons; Firstly, my grammatical abilities in German were never outstanding. I did not pass my A-Levels in German as a subject. Albeit, it is my mother tongue. Nevertheless, that did not keep me away from writing German texts and embarrassed myself. Secondly, it is way easier to excuse English grammar mistakes. It is not my first language, so it is okay to suck at least little bit.
On the 20th of April, I hit the road again since a long time. My time came and I needed to get me out of my comfort zone and out in the world. First stop is home. In this context, I mean home home. Talking about getting out of the comfort zone ;)
Germany is my first little travel destination out of some more exotic ones.
Germany is my first little travel destination out of some more exotic ones.
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| Warm welcome in Hamburg on our beloved Autobahn |
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| Sunbathing in the garden gets me totally out of the comfort zone ;) |
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| First mandatory step as a Bremen girl |
I decided to absolve my mandatory internship from the University in India. Yepp, Yepp, India it is, again. It took me three years to go back and finally, here I am. Honestly, I made the decision to go back the minute I exits the plane in Germany after my volunteer service three years ago. Since then, the brainstorming process is ongoing how, when and where. As soon as I got to know, that I have to complete an internship for my program of International Social Work I knew, here is the opportunity.
But to talk about it, making plans and share those plans with others is one thing. To actually, do it is another topic. And here we come right back to the comfort zone. Last two years, I got way too comfortable in beautiful Sweden. My friends, my hobbies and the high level of lifestyle made me comfortable. So I decided to not only talk about the big, great plans of going back to India. I actually needed to do it. Kick my ass and prove myself, I can do it myself.
But to talk about it, making plans and share those plans with others is one thing. To actually, do it is another topic. And here we come right back to the comfort zone. Last two years, I got way too comfortable in beautiful Sweden. My friends, my hobbies and the high level of lifestyle made me comfortable. So I decided to not only talk about the big, great plans of going back to India. I actually needed to do it. Kick my ass and prove myself, I can do it myself.
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| Not only Popeye can. With enough spinach, I can too! |
Before I actually arrive, I go through my regular “Why do I do that?” steps. It starts weeks before the departure. I get my nervous breakdown, imagine every scenario, what could go wrong or it’s just a matter of time until I lose my belongings. That leads me directly to my second emotional step. My nervousness makes me tired and tensed. I run around like a ghost, don’t take breaks and try to keep me busy. So, my mind doesn’t dare to slip into the prediction of ‘what’s going to happen with me’ and ’why the heck do I do it in the first place?’. Some days before departure, I have everything set up, theoretically, I know that I am bodily and mentally able to make myself survive. That helps actually. Practically, I have doubts, but then I am way too excited and tell myself ‘Now you have to try’.
After a five-week stay in New Delhi, from the 30th of April to first of June, the plans continue. Once in Asia, I don’t return after one month. So I thought to add two months more, get some friends together and hit the road. The first destination is my old living and working city, Hyderabad. I haven’t been here for three years and I can't explain in words how excited I am to see my Hydera-buddies again.
After Hyderabad, I am flying to Nepal from the 4th of June to the 22nd of June. Twenty days, three destinations. We are going to arrive in Kathmandu and by bus or rental car, we hit westbound. Pokhara and Bandipur will be first. After it goes up north to Langtang. Just once trying the Tibetan air, it’s so close to the border.
Targeted thirdly is Myanmar. Timeframe 22nd of June to 13th of July. My curiosity quells my respect of the current situation in the country and I decided to travel here for another twenty days. Beforehand, I tried to inform myself if it is a good idea and when I go to what regions. Since I travel with two friends we will consider the ongoing political issues in the country and make our decisions accordingly.
Last stop for me is Vietnam. From the 13th to the 30th of July one can find me for twenty days rolling in rice fields up north in Sapa, in the crowded capital Hanoi or laying on the Halong Bay.
I am more than excited about my trip. I hope for a demanding internship, find fellows who sneak around in New Delhi, capture the beauty of Old Delhi and make abstruse, funny and memorable memories with me.
So much to the theory.
Frankfurt Airport it is and today by 9:15pm I'll take off.
Bis bald, Johanna
