Money: What's it Worth?

Before leaving America, I was told several times by people that traveling abroad would forever change me as an individual.  That I would have a new view on life; a different perspective on what it means to be human in the world we live in.  I always nodded my head, agreeing like I understood what they said.  But I never really comprehended the meaning.

Now I get it.  Or I sort of do, at least.  It is not something that I can describe in words.  I also know that this indescribable feeling will only be epitomized when I am adjusted back into my home country.  But this feeling, or this perspective, feels more relevant every day as I travel across the world.

Particularly with the concept of currency.  Money.  For me, I had always been familiar with green-colored-wealth, and symbolized $ signs, and George Washinginton's profile on coins.  American currency seemed prominent, because it was all I knew.   I knew people worked hard to earn it, and that others did bad things to get it.  I knew that more was better, and that I needed it to attain the things I wanted. 

Truthfully, the US dollar is not all that great.  It's a filthy, flabby piece of paper, as most world-wide currency typically is.  The difference between the US dollar, the EU euro, and the UK pound (three currencies I have used within the last couple months) is that the dollar is actually weighed much less.  It's not in high demand.  In other words, one American dollar is equal to only two thirds of one UK pound. 

My wallet is filled (well, not filled) with colorful banknotes, shiny Queen Elizabeth's, and some green Ben Franklin's.  I know each bill comes from a different region and I know that one bill may be worth more than another.  But overall, all the money in my wallet seems to just mesh together.  I know see that money is just money, and not much more than that.

It's like trading a potato for an apple.  Like currency, the volume and color changes slightly.  The potato is dense, dull, and colorless; the apple is lighter and may be green, red, or even yellow.  Likewise, the nutrition, or value of the two pieces of produce, changes because potatoes are to satisfy starches, whereas an apple is packed with Vitamin C.  Nonetheless, you're exchanging something to get something in return.  To think that one form of currency (or one food item) is superior begins to seem a bit naive.  

This only seemed more relevant when I walked into the British Museum in London.  There was a display of currencies from different time periods in different regions.  The comparison of all the riches was not shown to demonstrate wealth, but rather to show that all people have always used different forms in exchange.  We are all really very similar in that way, as people.

I realize this more and more everyday:  Everyone is similar, despite our location on the globe.  It is easy to contrast diverse cultures - in fact, it's almost an expectation to find differences when traveling abroad.  However, I have come to find that exploring our similarities, not our differences, is what makes our world beautiful.

Up, up, and away.

The town of Paderno, Italy, is calm and peaceful.  I enjoy it;  I can always count on the relaxation this place provides, particuarly in the mist of stressful school days and crazy travel weekends.  But sometimes, I crave something less composed and more spontaneous.  I want a thrill.  I want something to call home about.
So what do I do?  I jump off mountains.

Monte Grappa

Monte Grappa is part of the Veneto Prealp region and is 1,775 meters (that is nearly 6,000 feet) high.  Luckily, crazy CIMBA students like myself have easy access to this mountain, as it sits within a short distance of our campus.  This landscape provides adventure for anyone, depending on what one may be interested in.  There is hiking, horseback riding, cycling, and most importantly, paragliding.

Me launching off Monte Grappa

Paragliding.  Where do I begin to explain this air-sport?  I suppose it all begins with the wind.  This sport greatly relies and is determined by the amount of wind present.  It consists of a person sitting in a harness, which is suspended below a fabric wing, or parachute.  Once you are all set up, with all the gear in place, you run towards the side of the mountain.  It is important to run fast; this pulling force will allow the wind to inflate the parachute.  And all of a sudden, you will begin to float up, up, and away, far from any form of land.  No, this activity was not designed for those afraid of heights.

But for those okay with flying above mountain tops, take my word: It's an incredible experience.  I was in the air for fifteen minutes, and not one minute felt unsafe.  In fact, it felt liberating.  Like I was flying over... well, mountain tops and forests.  It was like those flying dreams we all experience, but put in reality.  Undoubtedly, I would do it all over again.

Lake Como: Natural Tranquility

Last Friday, I called my dad to tell him where in the world I was.

"Lake Como?  What's that?"  I had never heard of it, either.  Actually, I had heard of it, but I definitely couldn't point it out on a map, let alone tell someone which country it was in.

Lake Como is located in Lombardy, Italy.  It is the third largest lake in the entire country.  Thankfully, one of my friends on campus suggested venturing out to this location as a last resort for our travel weekend.  She explained it was only a hop, jump, and a 30 euro train ticket away.  For a random adventure with a small price to pay, I promptly nodded my head with approval. 

Turns out, Lake Como is well... how do I say this: BEAUTIFUL?  It is no wonder why big celebs, such as George Clooney and Madonna, spend big money to have villas here.  The land is comprised of clear waters, the Alpine mountain tops, and tropical/sub-tropical plants.  Bright colored buildings and elegant homes peak out from all over the mountains.  The lake itself is shaped like a "Y" and has three small towns at each point: Bellagio, Menaggio, and Verenna.  There is a ferry service to transport you between the locations around the water.   Lake Como is wealthier area in Italy; however, is entirely reasonable when traveling during the winter off season.

This is what my friends and I did - granted, it was all we could afford as college students.  But I would not have it any other way.  We booked a perfectly suitable apartment in Menaggio (with a bathroom, bedroom, living-area, and kitchen) that was located right on the lakeshore for 20 euro a night.  It was purely serene.  In fact, I believe we were the only people staying in our apartment.  The town was quiet, with few locals walking their dogs and children on bicycles.  The land was awakening, with crisp, spring air, little bits of wild life and vibrant scenery.

If ever given the opportunity to travel around Italy, I would absolutely recommend a visit to Lake Como.  It is perfect for those who appreciate nature and tranquility.  

Booking, booking, booking.

I book all day long.  I book academically, flipping through pages assigned in class.  I also book travel-wise.  I book the locations, the hostels, the trains, and flights, and buses, and so on.

I'll say this simply:  There are starting to be too many books.  I am trying to figure out all my reservations and complete all four papers assigned to me within four days.  Four days.  Splendid.

And although I'm sleepy-eyed, barely comprehending what I'm typing at this moment, I should thank CIMBA yet again for another thing:

Thank you, CIMBA.  Thank you for teaching me some time management strategies.  Because, quite frankly, I sucked at managing my time before.  And it leaves me feeling angry.  And now I have an angry blog post. My first angry blog post.  NOOOO.

I am aware that I am perhaps being too honest and blunt.  But being honest never hurt anyone.  In fact, it might help those who are anticipating a future trip out of the country.  Further more, it may help students who are considering to study and/or travel abroad.

To keep you from feeling stressed and wanting to pull out your own hair, I have some words of advice.

Megan's 6 Scheduling Tips to Live By:

• Get an agenda book.  I've never loved mine more.
• List every location that you'd like to visit prior to all your trips.  Then, sketch a brief plan for which days you will travel to specific places.  This way, you wont leave with regrets of missing a desired spot.
• Book all reservations in advance.  Seriously.  A flight CAN go up 30 euro within one day.
• Save absolutely every copy and every receipt in regards to your flight/train/bus/hotel information.
• If taking classes, don't bother bringing your academics on trips.  For one, books and notepads take up packing room.  Secondly, are you really going to be productive when exploring a new town?   Probably not.
• However, DO YOUR HOMEWORK - preferably before you travel.  Know when assignments are due and fit them into a feasible schedule that correlates with your trips.  

I am not going to claim that my tips will create a "smooth sail" for your life abroad.  But it will make things easier for you.  Take it from someone who learned the hard way.  I'm either going to Rome, Barcelona, or Verona in three days... for not cheap.  Not sure which it will be; I'll figure it out once I get these papers figured out.

Over and out.