Reflection

So my trip is done. I'm back in the states... back at my job (until I start grad school). It's a little sad, yes. I mean, I just had the time of my life. I had an incredible experience that was exciting, adventurous, changing, evolving, compelling, ...and fulfilling. I did so much. I:

• saw some of the greatest art ever created
• found the ruins of some of the oldest civilizations on Earth
• hiked some of the most beautiful coastline in the world
• watched the sunset over the Italian Mediterranean
• ate the best pizza in the world
• floated down a raging river
• saw the effects of some of the most oppressive governments to date
• watched the Eiffel Tower light up at night
• traveled under the English Channel
• tasted some of the best wine in the world
• had a plate broken over my head
• watched the sun set at 11:30pm
• saw how blue the Mediterranean actually is
• got scammed
• stood in the same place as Socrates
• ate a Hamburger in Hamburg
• gave everything in my pocket to a homeless man
• stared at the most beautiful ceiling in the world
• drank in the capital of every country I visited
• went smile for smile with the Mona Lisa
• walked up to the top of a mountain
• watched a woman smoke a cigar (just ask me about this one)
• saw no less than 2500 paintings of the passion or cruxifiction

But the best part of my trip was all the people I met. I can't even try to remember every name, but it was great. Every new place, every day even, offered the thrill and opportunity of someone new to meet and something new to discover.

After such an amazing experience, should I be content to return to a "normal" life? I mean, consider for a moment your typical middle class nine-to-fiver. He spends almost his entire day making money to fund the moments he's not working (now and in the future). Now he loves his job, but he's still trapped in it. He has to go everyday even if amazing experiences are out there to be had. He's given up that freedom, he's submitted to the system in order to gain a little security in his future. ...I've just experienced the exact opposite of that.