Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Well.

Looks like it has officially arrived.

It is my final day in this amazing place called Denmark.

And all I’ve got to show for it, is five of the most amazing months of my life.

I’ve thought long and hard about the final words on my adventure to this country, and to Europe. It is a bittersweet feeling. It was not easy coming here, in fact, it was the scariest thing I have ever done. And now, five months later, I am finding it just as hard to go back. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to be heading back to Tennessee. I’ve got an amazing group of people waiting for me on the other side of that Atlantic Ocean, and I think I can hear the sweet tune of Rocky Top calling me home. I am looking forward to being back in the states without question, but after five months, I have made a place for myself here in Denmark. I have learned a lot about who I am and where I am going. I have made unforgettable friends. I feel like I have just found my footing, and goodbye is a word I’m not quite ready to say.

I read somewhere once that all we truly ever have are the memories we make, and I have done my best to make my fair share of memories in Europe to take back home with me. My limited souvenir budget has also helped with this cause. To name some, I’ve been a student in Aarhus, I’ve ridden the rides at Tivoli, I’ve climbed the Eiffel Tower, I’ve met European Parliament, I’ve put my hand on the Berlin Wall, I’ve stepped inside the Roman Colosseum, I sang in the Blue Grotto, I’ve made friends with Big Ben, I’ve swam in the Mediterranean, I’ve walked across Charle’s Bridge, and I have met the most amazing people along the way. The experiences I have had, and the people I have shared them with, have forever changed me, and I am without a doubt, a better person for it.

I have learned that is the funny thing about travel, you experience so much, and whether you know it or not, it slowly changes who you are and opens your eyes to things bigger and better than you could have ever imagined. You are able to see something beautiful in the world, and in yourself as well. I would like to think I have done a little bit of growing up over here in Europe, and I have learned quite a bit about myself.

Chris McCandless said, “The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” Having been living in an endlessly changing horizon for the past five months, I know it is something I will strive for from here on out. There’s an awfully big world out there, and I have learned there is a reason everything and everyone in it is so different. It’s because we are meant to see it, it’s because we are meant to experience it, and it’s because we are meant to take all that we can from our journeys.

As I have gotten older, I have learned there are lots of moments that walk in and out of my life every single day. Some fade, and some stick with me forever. I never know who I am going to meet in this crazy world. I never know what I will have the chance to see. I have quickly realized however, that that’s the beauty in it, that’s the beauty in travel. Every step I choose to take, every new hello I choose to say, and every adventure I choose to embark on is just another moment that makes me who I am, makes me the person I am supposed to be, and opens my eyes to this amazing world that I live in.

I would like to think I left my mark on Denmark, because I know it has certainly left its mark on me.

Denmark, The name’s McCarley, and it has been my greatest pleasure to meet you.

Sincerely, McCarley

Royal vs Regatta

Friday, April 29, all across the world it was the day of the Royal Wedding, but in Aarhus Denmark, it was the day of Regatta.

Choose Wisely.

I had high expectations for the annual event in Aarhus that every Danish student talks about. Regatta is a competition between the students in different departments. They compete in a plethora of sailing events, races, and of course (true to the Danish way) drinking games. My high hopes were not let down.

The crowd of people was unreal. Until then, I was not aware that Aarhus was capable of housing so many people, or that so many people lived here. It’s true what they say, the Danish come out when the good weather does, and it was a beautiful day. Luckily we found people from the international course who had reserved a spot on the hill, otherwise I do not know where we would have sit. We were told that many people arrive at eight and start drinking as soon as the sun rises. After a few minutes there, that was quite obvious. It was so amazing to see everyone out in Aarhus.

The events began with a race. I look up to see ten to fifteen naked guys running around the entire pond, and one girl, who sadly, fell far far behind. They circled the entire pond, jumped in the water, swam across, and the first to reach the table won. It looked like fun, and they asked for volunteers for the next one so I volunteered. I figured when in Denmark, run around a pond naked. Just kidding! I’m only hoping for an entertaining reaction from the parentals with that last sentence. The students performed a reenactment of the Lion King. Everyone joined in when they began playing Hakuna Matata, including me. However I soon realized, it was in Danish. “No worries”though, my fellow english speakers and I continued to belt it out in our native language.

After witnessing the hilarious events and chaotic races, which the students actually put a lot of practice into, we headed to the other end of town for an international barbeque. Couldn’t have asked for a better end to a great day. Delicious food, amazing people, and the sun in Denmark.

Denmark, Spring has finally sprung.

Sincerely, McCarley

Slainte Ireland

It’s cheesy, it’s cliche, but it’s true. I really would rather have a life of “oh wells” than a life of “what ifs”. I would rather look back and remember the opportunities I took, rather than the ones I didn’t. Which is why I said yes to a family in Cork, Ireland. Yep, for the next five months I will be spending my time on that Emerald Isle au-pairing for three children. This could get interesting.

Why am I taking five months to do something completely off the charts and unexpected you might ask? I chalk it up to my desire to meet a leprechaun or my love of all things green. I’ll even blame it on a secret urge I might have to introduce myself to an Irish version of the McCarley clan. But I think the sole reason I said yes is because I’ve got the itch to travel again. I’ve got the itch to expose myself to yet another culture and to this wonderful Irish family. I’ve got the need to explore another part of this colorful world that we live in, and to make myself a better person for it. Awkward situations are my forte, new challenges are my specialty, and meeting new people is what I thrive on. An adventure has invited me along once again, and I don’t think it would be very polite to say no.

“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown”. So there you have it folks. Here I go. I’m jumping in, head first, holding my breath, and seeing what this little thing called life is going to throw at me next.

But that’s the best part isn’t it?

So, it looks like I will be seeing Ireland on March 18, southern accent and all. And it will be my pleasure sharing every little new and unexpected adventure with you.

Cheers Y’all,
McCarley