I arrived back in Bonn, with only two days to say goodbye to the city and my beloved host family. I told my family about my travels and soaked up as much as them as possible. They were truly wonderful. I will never forget the laughs we had over dinner, the goofiness of the boys, and how wonderful it was to read in the sunroom while my host dad played the piano. They showed nothing but kindness and compassion to me, and I will be forever grateful to them for opening my eyes up a little more about the world. I learned their hardships and how life was like as a German with the Berlin wall up and the country divided. I shared meals with the son of a Nazi and found much more goodness in his heart than I have found in many other people. We shared our perspectives of the world and our nations, always in with the upmost respect. I fell in love with a strange family who I was thrown with for a month and who spoke a completely separate language than I. After extending an invitation out to me numerous times for me to go back and visit them, I know I will. I was so worried about what kind of family I would be put with (and living with four grown boys), but they filled my heart with so much joy and were my most difficult goodbye. It makes me sad writing this now, because I miss them so deeply.
I had the most wonderful last day in Bonn. After our pre-departure meeting in the morning, I had a coffee with the other Mikayla, finally took some pictures of the town, went to a stall to buy roses for my host mom, then sat outside and enjoyed my final Sion Kolsch. This city is something special, and it was difficult to say goodbye to it too. It was a warm, sunny, beautiful last day.
Happy Independence Day!! Off to Berlin. We arrived and I had ALL of my belongings. As soon as we got there, we went on a bus tour of the city. I honestly didn't know that there was so many different things to see in Berlin. We were definitely not going to have enough time to roam around and see everything. We were let out to roam along the Berlin Wall, which was honestly much bigger than I was expecting. Beautiful and unique artwork filled it up, allowing us to walk for a while and soak up a bit of it. We went back to the hotel and got situated, then Mikayla and I went out for a nice burger dinner in honor of Independence Day. The burgers were really good if I'm going to be honest. We explored a bit of the city but went back before it got too dark... this was a city I could easily get lost in. The next day we had "My Berlin Day." My group was put with a Syrian refugee named Mohammed. He showed us around Berlin, and explained how German history connected to Syrian history. He told us about his terrible experience being smuggled out of the Middle East, and into Europe. Looking at him and hearing his story made me just want to give the man a hug. I felt so many emotions. My first emotion was honestly anger. I was actually angry that my life is so so good. I have heard many things about the Syrians lately, but standing before this man and hearing his story made a huge impact on me. It really put me into reality. I was no longer behind my American curtain. I decided after his tour that I will sponsor a Syrian child. It may not be have a huge impact in the scheme of things, but if I can impact one life, it is worth it. Mohammed then took us to lunch at a restaurant that is run by a Syrian family. The food was absolutely INCREDIBLE. We sat and talked about our favorite movies and tv shows, along with Mohammed's dreams for his future. That night, all of the groups got together and presented their experiences with their "My Berlin Day." Afterwards, a few girls went down to the Fairytale Bar, where we sipped champagne out of Louis Vuitton glass slippers, found "Eat me," and "Drink me" items in the storybook menus, and were served by the White Rabbit. It was a fun final celebration in Europe. The next day happened to be our last. We started with a guided tour at the Charite Museum of Medicine, where many specimens were held similar to those of the Fool's Tower. Next, we toured the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. What really stood out to me was the fact that a town was directly next to this camp. Houses were right next to this camp. It was mind boggling that people were able to live next to such horror and not do anything about it. Maybe some did. I wish I knew. The day was ending, and it was time for our class' final meal together. We all went and had dinner next to our hotel. It was again, very good (food doesn't seem to disappoint in Europe.) At the end, Dr, Wasser had a little surprise for everybody. Music came on and a belly dancer came out. We all cheered for her and clapped along with the music. The next thing we know, she was pulling us out of our seats to individually dance with her. Everybody let loose and danced and we all laughed and clapped along. Seeing Dr. Wasser bellydance was one of the best parts. It was the perfect way to end our study abroad. Everybody together, having fun, and laughing hysterically. We gave our hugs and said goodbye to Dr. Wasser. It was very difficult. The experience I had was truly a once in a lifetime experience with amazing people, and a caring, fun, and knowledgable professor (he seriously knows everything about everything). Dr. Wasser, thank you again for such an amazing experience. It would not have been the same without you, and I really appreciate all of the work and time you put in to teach us in the most unique way. Then like that it was over. I had quite the experience traveling back home. My first flight from Berlin to Cologne was a mess. Even though I had a ticket, I did not have a seat, because they overbooked the flight. This was a problem, because I needed to catch my next flight to Las Vegas soon after landing in Cologne. They finally got me a seat 10 minutes before the gates were supposed to close, so I checked my bag and hurried through security, just for my flight to be delayed for 3 hours. The flight to Las Vegas waited for us, but when showing my passport and ticket to a lady at the Cologne airport, she asked very rudely why I even bothered showing up since I was so late. I let her know that my flight was very late, in which her response was that I better run quickly. I made my flight to Las Vegas, but my luggage didn't. I spent over an hour waiting to give the airport my information so my bag could eventually be sent to me. Finally I was on a flight back to Houston and I was home. I did get my bag a few days later, thank goodness.
I want to say again, I have experienced both the magic and treachery of Europe. I have basked in the glory of Europe. I soaked in the beauty of its mountains, lakes, hills, and architecture. Just when you think you've seen everything, something new will amaze you. I have eaten some of the best food I have ever had and enjoyed good company. Europe is plain and simple quite glorious. It is also deep and dark though. Beautiful walls hide many little known stories. Families ripped apart, people left with no hope, not having a place to call home let alone find safety. I have seen the evil that has dwelled in the land. Evil that gained favor of many people. Evil that masks itself in order to persuade people to give into their sinful natures. I walked along streets where thousands were shot or died starving. I listened to a man who in this generation, fled for his life due to unspeakable horror. My heart grew heavy at the sights and stories of so many different events. Did they really happen in this lifetime? But I also learned the beauty of people. In spite of evil that lurks and covers a land, the inspiring stories of brave people shine out like a beacon of hope and light. People who risked their lives, their families lives, and everything dear to them to help strangers who were experiencing extreme injustice. Would I have given my life to help people fleeing and hiding for their lives? I would certainly think so. Would I have done it if it put my children's' lives in danger? I honestly don't know if I would've. Just how brave are we, and where would we stand if such evil were to come to America? It would be terrifying how many people would join in, but shouldn't we find hope in the few who are pure at heart? Those who stand in the face of evil strongly? I aspire to be such a woman. Although I am back safely in America, I know Mohammed's parents are still enduring daily hardships in Syria. Should I forget about them and continue my daily life? What can I even do to help them? One thing is for certain now, and it's that nothing is the same for me anymore. Beauty and treachery exist daily side by side. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the beauty in the midst of treachery, but it's there, crawling out of the cracks like a little weed. I will return to Europe someday to enjoy the endless beauty that it offers, but I will also stand up against evil in today's world instead of hiding behind my American curtain.
Yours truly,
Mikayla O'Leary
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