I have been back in Colorado for a week and all the ramifications of my trip are finally starting to sink in. I have been told that it takes three months to process all of the things that you have seen while traveling for every one month that you spend abroad. After one week though, I have drawn some conclusions.

The Vital Stats: visited 7 new countries, slept in 25 different beds, mostly adhered to my mission of running in every city with a grand total of 13 cities, and making many new friends that I hope to stay in contact with.

I have gained many new skills including becoming an expert in communicating with minimal words, the uncanny ability to fall asleep instantly on any form of public transport, as well as the tricks and treacheries of public transport, shoulders of steel from carrying a backpack everywhere, the ability to learn about new cultures, languages, and histories, and tastes for all kinds of foreign foods.

I have also learned many personal lessons. I have expanded my comfort zone and become more independent, learning to navigate foreign places on my own. I have had total control over my destination and learned how to interact with hundreds of new people, as well as learning how to be with myself. I have a better idea of what I want to do with myself, and learned lessons from others. I want to be a kinder and more generous person to strangers as a result of both the kindness and indifference that was shown to me.

I really like it when people smile back at me on the street. I really hate whiners, and I am glad I stopped being one (thanks, Rachel).

Most importantly, I remembered my positive attitude and zest for life.  There is so much beauty in the world, as well as great things to discover, it is almost impossible for me to be down anymore.  I hope that I can remember all of the lessons and new feelings that I had, and apply them to my everyday life back here in Boulder.   I also learned that it is really nice to be home, and there is the opportunity to discover  new things all around me every day.  Should be good.

Check back for more tales in the future, it doesn’t end with Europe!