Any trip to a different country will be filled with new and educational experiences.  Some of these experiences will be completely unexpected and different than anything you may have imagined.

When we were going to visit Berlin’s ZDF, I knew we were going to have a conference with morning show anchor, Wulf Schmiese. What I didn’t know, was that there would also be a group from Palestine. To be more clear, Palestinian students studying to be diplomats. I, like many Americans, have never had experience with Palestinians, but have some knowledge of conflicts involving them in the middle east. Today, what really hit me, was the fact that I realized most Americans do not have much knowledge of these events. Germans, along with most Europeans, even ones with less education, are somewhat familiar with this topic.

Today, marks the 65th anniversary of the creation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. This was discussed in our meeting with the foreign group, if not for that, I would not have no knowledge of this day in history. I consider myself a history buff, spending much time studying the subject. The fact that I had no knowledge of this surprised me. I have known that many Americans are not up to date on current world events, but I never considered myself to be one of them.

Today really opened my eyes to the ignorance of myself and many others. I would like to see us at a much higher level of understanding when it comes to current events. There is no excuse not to be, we have the technology and resources available. We, including myself, need to make sure to take advantage of what we have.

“Never going out again,” the words I kept mumbling myself this morning when waking up after just hours of sleep. Those eternal words which many have said before me and many will continue to say long after I’m gone. Of course they are never honored, but they made me feel better at the time.

Tired and groggy I met with group members to visit East Side Gallery, a decorated part of the Berlin Wall left as a “memorial to freedom.” Though it took me a bit to comprehend the depth of what I was standing in front of, the moment I did, I realized the struggle that this wall presented and the amazing ability of the Germans to overcome and grow out of the ashes of a divided city. I stood for a moment and just stared at this piece of concrete that effectively split families, friends and an entire city for almost three decades. In my mind, I always imagined the wall as an impossibly high structure that was extremely thick. In reality, it’s 12 feet high and 18 inches thick. The idea that that could divide a city staggering. That this would be allowed to happen.

It stands as symbol of oppression and dispair, now beautifully decorated for all to come see and enjoy. I feel much more of an understanding of the Berlin wal than I did before. Not that I learned anymore facts or information, but just seeing it and being there gives a new understanding. The fact that artists use this as their canvas to promote peace, shows a beautiful awakening of a city that has been through so much.

With any new experience, it may take time to register the events occurring. You can be in the moment and not realize how amazing the moment you’re in may be. That is where i found myself until today. This trip has been just talking and planning for so long, and in that process I forgot that one day it would be an action. That one day I’d actually be here in Germany.

Yesterday, if you had asked me what I felt about Germany, I would have told you I felt like I was in America. It wasn’t until going to a German school and seeing students, going to a German restaurant and having half the staff come and help explain our requests to the server, getting lost in a maze of underground trains and not making it to my destination that it hit me. The fact that I am actually here in Germany. No, these may not be particularly meaningful moments, but they helped show me that I am in a new place. Though there is much excitement to be in a new place and explore this new world, there is a certain amount of respect that I have to give to this new and unknown place.

Tonight there will be more exploring to be done. More on that later.

After one of the most exhausting days of my life, it feels amazing to finally sit down and relax. This statement is slightly ironic because I’ve been sitting for most of the past 24 hours.

I’m glad to be safely in Berlin and ready to jump feet first into Germany. The road here definitely had a few bumps in it.

List of Bumps:

-Arrived to Pittsburgh International Airport four and a half hours before we were supposed to meet as a group.

-Our flight was delayed an hour and a half, after the plane was struck by lightning coming into Pittsburgh. (Not to worry, they patched it     up with what looked to be duct tape.)

-No matter how hard i tried, I could not get comfortable enough to sleep. –

-We missed our flight from Paris to Berlin and had to put onto a later one.

-The woman at the desk spelled my name wrong and said that I was not on the flight from Pittsburgh.

-Our luggage is not in Berlin. (This is the largest bump. Luckily, I have an extra shirt and a pair of underwear.)

Despite this list of bumps, I am so amazingly excited to be here. I want to take full advantage of everything this city has to offer. I can excuse the stressful and annoying events of the past 24 hours. That is, if I get my luggage.