The countdown to Munich has begun! With finals coming to a close on Friday, my classmates and I have had just three short days to gather up all our gear and get prepared for studying climate and water in some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes. It’s clear that the summers do not arrive in Europe as quickly as they do in Tuscaloosa. Some of us packed tank tops and some of us packed sweaters. We’ll see how we all fare when we get to the glacier park, but one thing is for sure, packing jackets, rain coats, umbrellas, and shoes in a carry-on suitcase is not easy. Even though space is limited, I made sure to bring a journal and a disposable camera with me, so that even though these moments exist in the digital space of this blog, there will be a physical record left behind of my time abroad for me to look back on.
As the anticipation builds, I cannot help but think about the stories I used to hear from my father about his time spent in Northern Italy. Every summer, he would travel to Bardolino, a quaint town on Lake Garda with views of the alps. He spoke of summers filled with cherries, swimming, and the view of sailboats gliding across the blue water. I have dreamt of going to Lake Garda since hearing these stories, and in just three short days, I will get to create memories of my own.
In the meantime, my classmates and I will be exploring the streets of Munich, Germany, and after talking to my peers, we have come to a consensus, the first thing we are doing after getting off the plane in Germany is getting a real soft pretzel (and I have a hunch they will be a little cheaper than they are at Bryant-Denny). Talk to y’all soon!
