Hey friends! It’s me, Elza! I’m making my debut appearance on Mike’s blog tonight and bringing you some themes and thoughts from our trip as we round out a full month overseas.
First up: Nutella. We’ve visited four countries so far: England, Ireland, France, and Switzerland. Each has been beautifully unique and full of rich culture. But despite the variety in culture, cuisine, language, customs, clothing, etc., etc., one thing has remained the same: Everywhere is really, really into Nutella. And I’m not complaining. My kids are far more likely to try new food if they can lather it in Nutella. It has been a very dominant, though admittedly very unexpected, common link between all the places we’ve been thus far.
Next up: Language. Traveling in countries where we don’t speak the language has been both exciting and challenging. I’m consistently in awe of the number of people who can speak both English and their native language (I feel like a huge slacker! What was I doing during all those years of French, Spanish, and Latin??); and the experiences I’ve had where I am the only English speaker have been both remarkably overwhelming and humbling. As an introvert, walking into the post office this morning where I could not read any of the German signage nor could I find anyone who spoke English was terrifying. It was crowded, everyone seemed to know what they were doing and were moving around in an organized fashion. After asking strangers again and again, to no avail, if they spoke English and could help me mail my package, I felt tears welling up. Of course, I am quite tired from travel which probably made everything feel more frightening in the moment. And I quickly remembered that in about a week, I will go home to the city I know and love where everyone speaks English. My trip to the Swiss post office was, after all, really kind of unnecessary and mundane. But it left me thinking about all the people who move to America, permanently, and cannot speak the language. That must be so hard. I think especially of mothers who must navigate without being able to speak the same language as their children’s doctors, teachers, friends, counselors, coaches… And the worst part is, I think of how often I’ve seen people mistreated because of a difference in language. Have I done that myself? Being here in Switzerland, in a position where I am so aware of my inability to communicate with language has been profound.
Finally: Covid. Although language differences might make us feel disconnected from one another, I have noticed that traveling during Covid-times has been kind of a unifying experience. There are so many fears and logistical nightmares that come with pandemic travel. I’m sure you can imagine most of them and I don’t need to list them. But, ironically, the fact that every person I pass in the street is facing the same pandemic I am has made me feel really connected to people in a way I’m not sure I might have felt in pre-Covid-times. Masks, distancing, hand-santizer, open windows, small groups, outdoor dining, etc., etc., is happening everywhere. All these people that I probably can’t even greet in a common language, have been facing the same thing I have been facing for the past two years. It’s incredible. Obviously Covid sucks. This pandemic sucks. And I wish it didn’t happen. But, it is pretty cool that all of us have a shared experiences that will connect us forever. Without Covid, we would never have been given this incredible gift of seeing the humanity and connectedness in our global family.
I’m signing off now and letting Mike take the wheel again for some photo uploads! We’re in Lucerne again tonight and we plan to fly to Oslo, Norway tomorrow night. Travel restrictions or positive Covid tests could potentially disrupt our plans once again, but right now we’re feeling hopeful! If all goes as planned, we’ll spend the next week traveling all throughout Norway with a chance to see the Northern lights and take a sled-dog ride.
Peace and progress! -Elza