SOUVENIRS discover your wanderlust
spring 2021
Spring 2021
SOUVENIRS Editor in Chief Maya Fidziukiewicz Deputy Sara Sheibani Art Director Rachel Betters Marketing Director Ellie Marcus Webmaster Brooke Strain Photography Editor Olivia O’Brien Illustrators Emma Leeper Tracy Fu
Editors Olivia O’Brien Lili Sarajian
Contributing Writers Lydia Nyachieo
Staff Writers Alexis Bakken Rachel Betters Emily Beyer Kyle Engels Maya Fidziukiewicz Mia Gifford Devon Grasley Vaathsalaya Karpe Sophia Madore Kiersten McDevitt Ella Sabin Lili Sarajian Sara Sheibani
Contributing Photographers Sarah Francisco* Asha Jain Esmeralda Rios
On the Cover Asha Jain, India
WUD Publications Committee Director Evanka Annyapu WUD Publications Committee Advisor Robin Schmoldt Wisconsin Union President Lily Miller
*Sarah Francisco is not a UW-Madison Student
The Publications Committee of the Wisconsin Union Directorate celebrates creativity on campus by providing hands-on experience in publishing, editing, writing, and art-making. Through the publishing of our 6 student-run journals and magazines, we provide a creative outlet for UW-Madison students interested in creating poetry and prose, reporting on travel, music, and fashion, or delving into research in science and public policy. We also offer lectures with established authors, an annual literary festival, and we co-host events such as UW Fashion Week and previously, The Gatsby Gala!
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader, Inside these pages are stories, observations, tales and inspirations for the reader who longs to feel a part of the local scene as a newcomer. The idea of slow travel has intrigued me even before I knew it had a name. There is so much more to a place than the main landmark, the souvenir shops, and the top-recommended diner on TripAdvisor. If you stop to look around, there are many moving parts in the ecosystem of the location you are in. Notice conversations in different languages happening in the corner. Observe small business owners whose purpose to life became the generational storefront that was all they ever knew. On the other side of every door there is a history, a culture that shaped the town or the city into what it is today. Finding these tales is like hearing a story told by your grandparents – you reap the effects of the narrative by imagining what the places were like before you got there, before there was a touristic reason to venture thousands of miles to come for a visit or stay for vacation. Let these pages inspire you about the hope of travel. There is an unspoken reason why we push our comfort zone to its limits by placing ourselves in unfamiliar situations, full of new cultures and different settings - because it’s how we learn. We can choose the shallow acquisition of knowledge from a place – leaving with an “I <3 Paris” t-shirt and a camera roll with thousands of photos proving you were actually there. But there is an art to forming a deeper connection with the space you temporarily call home. It takes an extra push to turn a corner to a bar you otherwise would never have stumbled upon. To spark a conversation with a stranger at the bus stop. To run through cobblestone streets and notice the different languages and the traditional storefronts. I invite you, dear reader, to challenge yourself with becoming a subtle traveler. Venture outside your comfort zone to learn more than just about the treasures of the place you are going to, but to also learn a few native phrases and tales of the place you will be at. I assure you that this will not only give you a more authentic experience, but will also teach you about who you are and about the values you hold. Bon voyage, SPRING 2021
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BETTERS, SWITZERLAND SPRING 2021
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YOUR discover WANDERLUST
FOR MORE, FOLLOW @SOUVENIRSMADISON ON SOCIAL OR VISIT SOUVENIRSMADISON.COM
Spring 2021
IN THIS ISSUE 8
Stories from the Russian Flagship Program
10 A Nice Day 12 Do It for the Character Development 14 ReVANping What it Looks Like to Travel 16 Escape to the Concrete Jungle 17 9 Ways to Sleep in the Car 18 Escape to the Concrete Jungle 20 Relaxing on the Rails 21 Four Types of Hikers 22 How to NOT Look Like A Tourist 23 How to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist Abroad 24 How to Make a Travel Dreamboard 26 Germany’s Best Kept Secret Attractions 28 International Security Checkpoints 30 Painless Planning 32 Do You Have Bad Airport Luck? 33 A Destination in the Clouds 34 The Truth of Traveling in Palestine 36 Treasure Hunting 38 Thoughts on Identity, Diaspora and Travel From a Non-Traveler (as Yet) 40 Followingn Photographical Footsteps 42 You Can Never Wander Too Far From Home 44 Chasing Memories
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LEEPER, USA
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SPONSORED BY THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM
THE RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM BY ELIZA HERNANDEZ I originally intended to spend summer 2020 in St. Petersburg, Russia, immersed in Russian history, language, and culture;. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my plans changed drastically and I was invited to instead participate in a virtual study abroad program. I won’t sugar coat my initial thoughts: I was very upset. I fully intended to live in St. Petersburg and I even went as far as to map out all of the excursions I would take with my fellow classmates. As the summer went on, however, I learned a lot and still had a positive experience, even though I was not physically in Russia. The program’s facilitators were extremely helpful, offering additional tutoring in Russian and going the extra mile to expose us to native speakers from across Russia. My favorite part of the program was that every week, we would meet with native speakers who were also in college (or close to our age) to discuss slang, family life, relationships, etc. and how life was different in Russia and the U.S. for young adults. This was the experience I imagined having if I had been able to travel to St. Petersburg! Of course, an online program could never copy the experience of traveling abroad, but I would say that my summer was fantastic nonetheless and I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to advance my language skills and immerse myself in Russian culture and history.
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BY LUKE STOERGER Had I actually traveled to Russia in an alternate timeline where COVID-19 never occurred, my summer would have been quite different. But, my virtual study abroad program managed to retain a degree of authenticity and intensity despite the format, and my summer was effectively consumed by Russian. For the first time, I was being instructed solely in Russian on a variety of topics, like history and geography, in addition to the fundamentals of grammar and phonetics. This was a daunting challenge, especially given frequent international connectivity issues. My schedule featured 3-4 hours of lessons each day with a matching amount of time needed to complete homework. I studied Russian in a previous summer, but 2020 made my homework a much more solitary affair than before, thanks to a lack of nearby classmates. The American students in my group were all older than me - graduate students and even teachers - and I also met many Russian university students. Once a week, we gathered to discuss American and Russian cultural differences, forming pairs of pen pals, and going on virtual tours of Russia’s cities and the countryside. Ultimately, although I missed out on the authentic living experience of St. Petersburg, I was still able to accelerate my Russian. Sometimes I think back with sincere gratitude about our Russian instructors working so late into their evenings in Moscow and St. Petersburg to teach us Americans who were going to class in the morning and early afternoon. My summer was just a taste of life abroad, but motivated me to keep my spirits up until the pandemic comes to a close, so that I can continue this journey in person.
ILLUSTRATION BY TRACY FU
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aDAY nice BY SARA SHEIBANI
SHEIBANI, FRANCE
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he more I travel, the more I find myself enamoured with the lifestyle of a place than by seeking out its tourist attractions. In some shape or form when we travel we all are attracted by the shiny world renowned places. Many travellers make an effort to try new cuisine or visit cultural sights to gain a better understanding of the way of life in different places. However, different ways of travel develop different levels of connections; some people travel slowly embracing a place’s lifestyle, while others marathon cities like they’re binge watching a tv show. Staying in places instead of jumping city to city every few days allows you to glean a better understanding of a space and gives you time to get comfortable where you are visiting. Time restrictions and other commitments may provide a barrier to complete slow travel but time for a calming walk spent soaking up the sunshine instead of sprinting with everything passing by in a blur can always be found if you search hard enough. I’ve found that creating a routine unique to where you are visiting is a wonderful way to balance traveling slow and seeing tourist hotspots. When I visited Nice, France, I was able to discover my own balance of tourist and local life. I smelled fresh croissants and made myself familiar with the interconnected cobblestone paths, but still managed to go to all the ‘must sees’. My mornings would start with a short pastry run past the patisserie to the boulangerie for fresh pain au chocolat. Then I would bring my treats back to my hotel and enjoy them while overlooking a neighborhood park from my balcony. After breakfast, I would pack my mini-backpack with my essentials and be off. During the day, I would complete my tourist activities; going to historical sights, museums, the old town, or walking along the ocean side promenade. Over time, I became familiar enough with the city’s layout that I no longer needed directions to get to different spots. Developing a simultaneous sense of familiarity and unfamiliarity is the key to striking a balance of living as a tourist and as a local. Spending a few days in Nice, I learned about the different markets and where they were, antique clothes, books and trinkets, fresh produce and even a flower market. But, even though I knew the different types of markets, some days I would be surprised stumbling onto one I didn’t know existed. No matter what I did during the day, I would always end my tourist time watching the sun set over
the Mediterranean Sea. Some evenings I would walk clumsily along the rocky beach searching for sea glass. Once the sun went down and the air became chilly, I would head back to my hotel, admiring leftover holiday lights along the way. Then, with a cup of warm tea, I would journal my journeys of the day. This act both
Developing a simultaneous sense of familiarity and unfamiliarity is the key to striking a balance of living as a tourist and as a local. reminded me of the transiency of my stay, but also made me appreciate the memories I was making more. My routine in Nice was extremely different than what I do when I’m at home, but that was somewhat the point. Creating routines during your travels can help you live more in the moment and form a sense of normalcy amidst an experience so different than your everyday. Throughout my exploration of Nice I found go-to spaces to draw and places to eat. I even discovered my favorite breakfast boulangerie and baguette boulangerie. Creating connections with spaces in Nice, even though I wasn’t a local, led me to cherish my time there even more. Being a tourist is something that is hard for us travellers to shake, no matter how far off the beaten path you go. However, even the small act of wandering more slowly down the path, or maybe even vering away when some flowers catch your eye, has a way of making you feel more connected to the places you visit. That connection is something that deepens experiences and furthers learning and, in my opinion, that is the point of travelling.
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DO IT FOR THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT BY EMILY BEYER
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Whether you’ve been fortunate enough to experience international travel or not, let it be known that spending time abroad will change you. You will never be the same after a travel experience. Fear not, this change is simply a matter of personal growth better known as character development. Although character development is an inevitable result of traveling, it is not often thought of as a cause for travel. However, I think this should be considered one, if not the most important, reason to travel. I would even argue that we have an obligation to ourselves to travel so we may develop our character. You might ask, why must we travel in order to better ourselves? Can’t we do that from the comfort of our homes? This may be true, but I think that you can only get so “good” at life in one particular place, lifestyle and culture. Once you reach this point, the only way to improve is by broadening your horizons (literally and metaphorically). Not only does staying in one place provide a finite landscape for improvement, but being surrounded by the same culture and living the same lifestyle can be blinding. Without experiencing other ways of life, cultures, and alternative outlooks, you will never know what you could be better at or what you should think differently about. We most commonly come to question our personal outlooks by comparing them with others. How would you arrive at such a comparison if you’ve spent your life surrounded by people that live and breathe the same reality as you do? You might think that your outlook and lifestyle is the best– but unless
you can support that claim with experiential evidence, it doesn’t have much weight. How might you gather this evidence? By traveling.
BEYER, NEW ZEALAND
You must strip away the comfortable crutches of your known way of life in order to see your full potential. It is only by doing this that you may achieve the best version of yourself. In other words, you often don’t know what you don’t know about yourself until you accidentally discover it– just as a fish in the ocean doesn’t understand what the ocean is until it is out of the water. One way travel develops character is by testing you in novel situations. When straying outside the bounds of your own cultural normalcy, you must acclimate beyond your comfort zone. You must compromise and decisions. You may feel vulnerable personal growth. The lessons you spontaneously adapt in ways you at times, but you will learn to learn on your adventures cannot would not (and could not) expect overcome, conquer–and sometimes be replicated. If you didn’t already and cannot proactively prevent. even enjoy–this feeling as it can be have a justification for traveling Undoubtedly, you’ll find yourself quite exhilarating. Learning to cope abroad, here is your reason– nay, in situations where you will make with your vulnerability will foster a obligation– to do so. If traveling for a fool of yourself.Despite some new sense of independence unlike the sake of your personal growth is embarrassment, these not a sufficient reason, think are the memories beyond yourself. Surely, a “IF YOU DIDN’T ALREADY HAVE A new and improved you would that will make for the best stories. More benefit the lives of your JUSTIFICATION FOR TRAVELING importantly, these friends and loved ones as well. moments will prepare ABROAD, HERE IS YOUR REASON— Traveling may also inspire you you for similar future to bring the wisdom and ways NAY, OBLIGATION—TO DO SO.” situations, and of life from other cultures to they will forge your your local community, making humility– a trait that is extraordinary anything you’ve felt in your home an even larger positive impact. for character development. country and will certainly facilitate So go on, do it for the character character development. Eventually development– you owe it to yourself Though you may travel with you’ll feel confident in your ability and to others. others, you will constantly make to survive, and even thrive, in a new independent decisions that will place, granting you the power to change your experience. You tackle any challenge you encounter (usually) have total control over (travel-related or not). where you go and what you do. As liberating as this may be, it Traveling abroad provides means you are responsible for your invaluable opportunities to cultivate SPRING 2021
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SARAH FRANCISCO, USA
REVANPING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BY ALEXIS BAKKEN
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he term “van life” has recently been dominating social platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. People have been using these outlets to share their adventures from purchasing a van and converting it into their new home to living rent-free on the road. They typically reveal tips and tricks, prepping advice and cute must-haves from Amazon. There are many different versions of van life. Some people sell the majority of their possessions and commit to living solely in their tiny home on wheels. Others simply use theirs as an alternate means to travel. As this lifestyle grows in popularity, you may be wondering: is it worth it? Sarah Francisco, a lifelong traveler who committed to the “van life” in 2017, provides first-hand insight on this lifestyle. She said it all started in 2011
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travel
when her husband, Steve, brought their two kids to a playground in California. There, Steve met a family of five who had a converted sprinter van. This family rented out their house in the summer and traveled cross-country in their van. This lifestyle enabled the kids to sign up for whatever summer camp they wanted. They weren’t limited to a state and were encouraged to be adventurous. Steve said that what sold him was that there was only a short period of time that their kids would “still want to hang out with their parents.” He yearned to have as many adventures with his kids as possible before this dreaded time of parental uncoolness would settle in. The eye-opening conversation in the park did not lead Sarah and Steve straight to a dealership. In fact, they
had never camped before and really had no interest in it. Because of this, the idea of living the van life was thrown onto the back burner. However, their curiosity lingered for years. To satisfy Steve and Sarah’s desire for adventure (in a way that did not require sleeping on the ground in a tent), they purchased a SeaRay Sundancer 350. While they had many fun ‘glamping’ journeys on their boat, they longed to explore the West. The Francisco family traveled out to Oregon often for their son, George, who is a talented downhill skier. He frequently attended ski camps in Oregon which entailed buying four plane tickets, renting a condo and not having a convenient means for travel upon arriving. After doing the math, Sarah and Steve realized that converting a van would be substantially cheaper. This revelation led the family to purchase a Mercedes 170” with an extra tall roof. They hired Outside Van, a conversion and customization company in Oregon, to rip everything out and personalize the van the way they wanted. Sometimes, people like to convert their own vans, however Sarah and Steve decided to use a professional business to eliminate the hassle of figuring everything out. The Francisco family already had a good idea of what they wanted in their van because of their boat. The boat had a kitchen that they never used so they decided to exclude that from their van floor plan. Instead, they have a campsite set up for cooking. They also added a removable, plug-in fridge that they can take out when they go on winter travels. Other amenities include a queen-sized bed and two cots on the floor underneath, a bench to seat extra people, racks for bikes and skis, solar panels on the roof, heating, an extra water holding tank, swiveling captain chairs and a super high ceiling because Steve is 6’2. They also have a Wifi Booster, which Sarah said is one of the best things in the van because Steve works remotely and the kids have to do school work. Sarah listed an abundance of pros to the van life. The first one being, you don’t need to pay for electricity, cable, internet or rent because everything runs off of large batteries installed in the van. This allowed them to work remotely which meant they didn’t have to adapt their lifestyles too much during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another cool aspect of traveling in a converted van is that you can get up and drive to a new destination without waking any passengers up or packing. Typically, tent camping requires everyone to wake up, pack and get on the road, which often results in unrested and annoyed travelers. With the van, you can just drive away in your little home on wheels. This is very beneficial for trips to National Parks where camping spots are claimed on a first-come-first-serve basis. “You also don’t have to worry as much about bears!” Sarah exclaimed. The van enabled Sarah and her family to travel crosscountry three times. Olivia, their daughter, was able to audition for ballet camps in Oregon as George attended his ski camps. “It really opened up the entire country,” Sarah said. They were able to stay in National Parks like Yellowstone and visit monuments like Mt. Rushmore. Some of their favorite spots to camp in are Jacksonhole, Wyoming; Montana right outside of Yellowstone; and Snake River in Idaho. In 2019, Steve and George (6th grade) embarked on a five-week “independent study of the Western US.” They would ski at various ski resorts during the day and then return to the van at night so George could do online tutoring and Steve could work remotely with business partners. All of these concepts seem positive, but Sarah did note a few cons to traveling in a van. While on the road, the Francisco family take baths in rivers and lakes with eco friendly soap. However, they often find themselves missing the comfort of a nice, warm shower. At one point while she was in Jacksonhole, Wyoming, Sarah remembers saying, “if I don’t get a hot shower, I’m going to die!” To satisfy her needs, she found a laundromat with coin showers. There was also a time she really wanted a bed and a TV, so she ended up going to a nearby, scarylooking, rundown town and renting a dingy hotel room just so she wouldn’t go crazy. The lack of space and amenities can sometimes be a nuisance, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons for Sarah and her family. They didn’t sell their house and completely commit to the “van life” like some people, but they are still able to have many VANcations filled with unforgettable memories and VANtastic adVANtures.
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ESCAPE TO THE
concrete jungle
A MEMOIR PIECE BY MAYA FIDZIUKIEWICZ Upon rising, I wake up, slip on my running shoes, and run toward Downtown. Within the first few steps, I pass the fire station, a small green park, a tall church bell tower, and the local coffee shop on the corner that smells more tempting than my workout. I run a few blocks farther, and I pass my favorite grocery store, a thrift boutique, and the “hippie” apartments I daydream about decorating someday. An abandoned storefront with big windows, a Spanish grocery store, and an electrically chatty Irish pub line the street as I fly past. As I near the bridge, the tops of skyscrapers start to peak out over the rooftops. A couple I run past are speaking Polish, my native language. One more block and I’ll see the Chicago river enclosed by the downtown skyline. The city dweller has everything they need right at their fingertips – shoe repairs, authentic cuisine, jazz music, and an array of lifestyles including the delis and boutiques of my own European culture. Ah, it’s a glorious morning in the city.
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That is how I spend my mornings when I visit the city that I called home for the first eight years of my life. My family moved from Chicago to a place that could not be more different. My Wisconsin town is approximately three bars, one ice cream hut and a baseball field long. I grew up calling this my hometown, because – let’s face it – there is not much you remember before the age of eight. I loved every minute of growing up in my middle-of-nowhere town, but I was always the different one. While my classmates ate PB&J and fruit cups, I enjoyed open-faced liver sandwiches and pickles. I had no idea what High School Musical was or what cosmic brownies taste like. I attended school dances and was surprised at what my American friends considered “dancing.” I longed for a sense of belonging, a community – for people who eat rosół (chicken soup) on Sundays, roast kiełbasa over a campfire, and who are not afraid to ask you to dance. It was later in life that I realized I was lucky to share the Polish culture with my family in my humble Wisconsin home. I embraced the
FIDZIUKIEWICZ, USA
cultural differences I became associated with, but I wanted to be immersed more. Whenever I felt this need to connect more deeply with my culture and fuel myself with people who understand (that need), I headed back to the Windy City where my best friends graciously welcomed me into their homes. There was something about the big city that was so intriguing and colorful. The cultural exchange, the food scene, the languages you heard on the street, the fashion, the nightlife – these were what captured my admiration and made me yearn to come back. Being a part of a city that doesn’t sleep sounded energizing and exactly the recipe for my Roaring 20’s. The time is coming when I will choose where the next chapter of my life will begin, and my travel bucket list is slowly turning into a list of potential places to call home. Even though I will always be a country girl at heart, I am captivated by the vibrancy and the cultural variety of city life, be it Chicago, Sydney, Warsaw or
Seville. Today I imagine temporarily calling Downtown a place that I could work and live, and maybe even the place where I start my mornings with a run around the block. Chicago is the place where I find people who also grew up roasting kiełbasa, eating rosół on Sundays and dancing their hearts out on the weekends. As I am still young, the energy of the city excites me. All my life I thought escaping to Chicago was a way to connect with people who share my culture, to hear my language, to dance our dances. Little did I appreciate that this same culture I searched for in the big city was the same one I had right at home. The contrast of the concrete jungle I escaped to versus the country life I always knew puts into perspective how much I appreciate the roots that raised me to love and embrace the Polish culture that keeps me running after it. I guess we all search and search only to realize that what we want is right before our eyes. But isn’t that the purpose of our escape?
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relaxing ON THE RAILS
BY KYLE ENGELS
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rains, at first glance, aren’t a particularly striking form of transportation. More often than not, they’re seen as impediments; the walls you get stuck behind every so often while driving or blaring horns that interrupt your conversation. But trains can also provide an exceptional journey, not just for their convenience, but for the opportunity to relax, look out over the rapidly shifting scenery, and experience your journey firsthand.
day, the foliage and streams still maintained their lush appearance, drawing everyone on the train to the windows.. Fog rested high in the hills as we zoomed by, with rivers and small settlements posted alongside them. Getting off the train, it was hard to believe we were in a different country. For me, the airport is what usually signifies an international journey, but here, in the station, it was as casual as another stop on the tracks.
While trains are more of an annoyance than a beloved mode of transportation in the U.S., they are a huge part of daily life in European countries, providing invaluable convenience for the daily commute of millions. Many people make their commute by train from all corners of the continent, using a vast system of railways that makes every experience climbing aboard a train car new.
Unlike the trains I experienced in Europe, trains in the U.S. seem to have a far smaller role in society comparatively. Public transportation in big cities is a part of daily life, which isn’t too different from Europe’s own urban areas. But overall, they’re not nearly as well-known as speeding passenger trains bolting across the countryside. Not only does the U.S. lack an extensive rail system like the one in Europe, but ticket prices are usually much higher for the routes that are available. This discourages travel via train, as it’s still slower than a plane ride, and not cheap enough to justify the extra time. The reason trains are so popular overseas is because of their affordability, as they’re ingrained into European culture. But here, it’s simply less efficient. The U.S. is, of course, much larger than the overseas countries that utilize them as well, making the concept of an expanded train infrastructure a difficult one to put into motion.
While I was visiting Germany with friends, one of the most memorable parts of my trip was my experience taking the train across the wide countryside from Dusseldorf to Leipzig. It was a much longer ride, so the accommodations were nicer, with more legroom and space than you would have on a subway ride. But, the main difference was the chance to watch the lush, green landscape fly by as we sped forward. I remember herds of cattle grazing, small cottages dotted along quaint paths in the distance, and a peaceful atmosphere that completely contrasted the dark walls of our subway rides earlier in the trip. There was a soft rumbling accompanying us the whole way, constantly reminding us of our ongoing journey. While our initial arrival to Germany certainly felt exciting, this train ride convinced me that we had arrived in the country, with fields and old stone walls welcoming us along the way. Another similar train ride I took was a trip from Germany to Prague. Coming from another country, the circumstances were a bit different, as we were crossing international borders. The train car had little additions to make the ride more comfortable, like cushions instead of hard seats, and even snacks. Despite the overcast
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The concept of a U.S. rail system has been discussed several times over the past few years, and every time I see it come up, I get a little bit of hope. Wouldn’t it be great if, for a low fare, you could casually visit somewhere like New York or Boston for the weekend? I hope to see a system like this become a reality, not just because of the implications for easier travel across the country, but also because of how fascinating this transportation is. It provides a comfortable journey that works in both solitude and company, with a soft rumbling accompanying you as you get to visually experience your journey firsthand, with your view not being limited to clouds. Everyone should be able to share my experiences of relaxing on the rails.
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HOW TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE A TOURIST ABROAD BY ELLA SABIN
With slow travel and long-term vacations becoming more popular, people are becoming more and more conscious of fitting into the culture that they are visiting. Here are some tips and tricks to be observant of your surroundings and cognisant of how you portray yourself on vacations!
4. Study abroad
1. Be aware of your surroundings
5. Do a workaway program
When traveling abroad and trying to fit in with those around you, the first step is to take note of how the people around you are acting. Some things to pay extra attention to are clothing trends, hairstyles, shoe choices and the way people interact with each other. Once you can tell how people are acting, it becomes easier to emulate that and blend into the environment.
2. Volume
Across different cultures, the volume at which people speak and interact varies greatly. This is a good thing to keep an eye out for, so you aren’t the loud tourist yelling at the market, or the timid visitor that no one can hear.
3. Clothing
Neutral clothes are easy to blend in with, meaning neutral colors and neutral fabrics. Another tip to keep in mind is that the United States is a very logo-centric country, but many other places are not. Knowing this, it might be best to leave your heavily branded clothing at home while on vacation.
Similarly to a workaway program, by studying abroad, you can move to a new place and have a built in support system within your classes and school community. It is also common to be housed in a place with other students, whether that be native students where you’re studying, or other students from around the world!
There are many websites and programs that offer opportunities for foreigners to work in a different country and be provided with housing. Oftentimes the housing is with other citizens of the country, so it is a great way to immerse oneself in the culture of an area and meet local people!
6. Fly the airline of the country you’re going to
Flying the airline of the country you’re going to end up in can make your experience once you arrive very seamless, and allow you to have the unfamiliar part of the travel happen in your home location. It is often easier to navigate your home airport to a foreign airline because you know the language and layout, and then once you arrive on the native airline of another country, the airport will already be set up to accommodate it.
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HOW TO MAKE A TRAVEL DREAMBOARD BY DEVON GRASLEY
It’s no doubt that we are all a bit travel hungry right now. I know I sure am! While the current circumstances may make it hard for us to visit the places of our dreams, this that doesn’t mean they have to stay dreams forever. Planning out all the amazing places you want to visit is a great way to indulge your daydreams while getting one step closer to making them a reality. It’s a perfect little escape when things seem stagnant in our day to day lives. So, here: this is a how-to on building a travel board for you to organize the trip of your dreams. Make it fun, aesthetically pleasing, detailed—however you want. The limit is your imagination!
Suggested Materials:
• Most importantly, a place you can’t wait to visit! • Some sort of background: I used a cork board, but you can use anything. Other ideas include cardboard, poster board or a large sheet of paper. • Stationary supplies: tape, thumbtacks, paper clips, note cards, glue and scissors. • Materials on your chosen destination: printouts, pictures and magazine clippings. • Decorations: washi tape, colored paper, stickers, and iron ons. • Hanging supplies: depending on the material used, some small brad nails or sticky tack to hang your project up!
Step 1: Brainstorm
This is one of the most important steps. First, you have to figure out your destination. Spend some time researching where you want to go and some must-see spots or restaurants you are dying to try. This can be as detailed as you want. For my Sicily dreamboard, I created a bucket list and a budget to help further plan my trip!
Step 2: Gather your materials
Take some time to print off images. A great site to find everything—from flights, to lodging and even a list of tourist attractions—would be TripAdvisor. You simply enter your destination and it pops up with all the essentials to planning your vacation. Then, spend some time organizing your supplies. You can include fun things like washi tape, colorful push pins, and stickers. Most of these supplies can be found at Walmart or your local dollar store.
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Step 3: Organize your layout
Here’s where you lay out how you want your board to look. Choose a color scheme, lay out the images, and map out where you want the decorations to go before actually putting everything together. That way you can decide if you want to change anything before it is too late.
Step 4: Decorate
Here’s the fun part: go crazy with putting this thing together! It’s all about your trip, so don’t be afraid to take total control of the design. For decorations, I added some cute washi tape on the borders and some fun stickers to add a pop of color.
Step 5: dreams
Go
follow
your
You now have a completed board. Hang it on the wall with nails or some sticky tack to have a little reminder of where you can go. Now it’s time to make that dream a reality! Make sure you take lots of pictures for your new memory board when you get back. Share it with your friends and family and continually add one as you go on more adventures. The only limit is the places you’ll go! SPRING 2021
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Germany’s
BEST KEPT SECRET ATTRACTIONS BY MIA GIFFORD
GIFFORD, GERMANY
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ith its delicious food, beautiful sites and complex history, Germany should be on every travel enthusiast’s bucket list. Many travel to the popular architectural beauties of Neuschwanstein, the castle in southern Germany that inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, or Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, once a blocked gate between East and West Germany. However, there are a plethora of other attractions that deserve just as much attention. I was fortunate enough to visit these other sites on a trip to Germany with my family, guided by my cousin and his partner who live there. Here are three of the most beautiful, fascinating and entertaining places that we traveled to in Bavaria in southern Germany and Berlin.
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Hohenschwangau Castle
Before the popular Neuschwanstein Castle was built in 1869, high in the hills above the small town of Hohenschwangau, Hohenschwangau Castle was built a little ways down on a smaller hill just above Lake Alpsee and the town. This castle was built by Prince Maximillian of Bavaria in 1832 and originally called Schwanstein until its name changed to Hohenschwangau after 1886. After becoming king, Maximilian, his wife and his two sons used the castle as a summer hunting residence. With the picturesque hills behind it, the lake lapping at the shore below it, and fields stretching out in front of it, this castle became a favorite for Maximillian’s son Ludwig. As Ludwig grew and became king, however,
he wanted more, so he built Neuschwanstein which today attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors and is the most popular tourist attraction in Bavaria. While Hohenschwangau Castle may not have inspired a Disney castle, it is certainly still worth the visit. Built in new-Gothic style with mustard yellow walls and red stucco roofing, it contrasts against the dark green of the surrounding fields and transports visitors back in time. The 19th-century murals, paintings, and interior have been preserved amazingly well, many depicting German folklore and legends, including that of the swan knight of Lohengrin. Swans are associated with the castle and region, as schwan means “swan” in German. This castle’s beauty and history make it a compelling visit for travelers and, though it lies in the shadows of Neuschwanstein, it should not be overlooked.
Bleckenau
An hour and a half hike up the mountain from Hohenschwangau brings you to Bleckenau, a three-story wooden building that was the hunting hut of King Ludwig. With grand views of Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and the surrounding area, Bleckenau is now a restaurant catering to hungry tourists, cyclists and hikers. The route to the hut takes visitors across Marienbrücke, a suspension bridge providing fantastic views of the castles and up a winding road through the forest. In the
“THE SURROUNDING TREES ARE COVERED IN SNOW, SOFTENING THE SOUNDS OF THE MODERN WORLD AND SENDING TRAVELLERS BACK TO THE TIMES OF KING LUDWIG.”
road can be quite steep, so come prepared with good walking shoes and plenty of water. Luckily, the reward at the end of the hike is worth it - a warm, vibrant cabin offering delicious foods like bolognese pasta and the traditional Bavarian potato soup that my brother was still raving about when we got back to the States. If there is enough snow in the winter, you can ride sleds down the mountain around tight bends to the front of Neuschwanstein. After stuffing yourself with delicious food, choosing to slide instead of hiking back down the mountain is a popular choice.
Spielwiese
Located in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, the center of German nightlife, Spielwiese is the perfect spot for the board game enthusiasts or for anyone looking for a good time. The walls of this little cove are lined floor to ceiling with familiar games like Uno and Monopoly, as well as German games that I never heard of. My cousin and his partner took my brother and me there one night, and it was one of the most memorable nights of that trip. The adults ordered beer and a hot chocolate for me before we spent hours laughing and bickering over countless games, finally leaving close to midnight. Spielwiese is a great place to surround yourself with locals and experience a different kind of night life than just sitting at a bar. The laughs and memories I left Spielwiese with will stay with me forever. With centuries of history Germany has a multitude of attractions worthy of traveler’s time. While the popular sites of Neuschwanstein and Brandenburg Gate are certainly important pieces of this history, Hohenschwangau Castle, Bleckenau and Spielwiese provide a deeper look into Germany. Their smaller crowds and more intimate settings allow travelers to better experience what German life was like in the 17th and 21st centuries, and should be staples for everyone wishing to experience this country.
winter, this road and the surrounding trees are covered in snow, softening the sounds of the modern world and sending travelers back to the times of King Ludwig. The
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BAKKEN, USA
SHEIBANI, FRANCE
RIOS, ACAPULCO, MEXICO SPRING 2021
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First, here are some general tips for making the most of any short vacation:
PAINLESS PLANNING: HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR A
weekend trip BY LILI SARAJIAN
While international travel is still a distant daydream, there are a few feasible ways to get away from it all like road-tripping and staying in rental homes to avoid crowds. Or, if you’re like me, you can get your fix by wistfully planning weekend trips that will, maybe, hopefully, happen down the road. After planning a three-day trip to Austin, TX, I realized there’s a real art to doing the weekend vacation well. Factoring in travel time, transportation, and, of course, sleep, you’re left with a lot less than 72 hours. But after taking many mini trips to cities like Portland, New York and Boston, I’ve come up with a rough formula for how to best explore any city in three days.
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• Arrive early on day one and leave as late as possible on day three • Try to prevent travel fatigue or jet lag by staying hydrated and sleeping during the flight (or taking turns with another driver during the car ride) • If you’re staying in a hotel, contact them ahead of time to see if you can check your bags in early • Pick out a few sites, activities and restaurants that you want to try before you arrive so that you don’t waste precious time deciding what to do when you get there • Take pictures! While it might seem like you’re detracting from the journey by stopping to take pictures, finding the perfect spot for a photo shoot can often lead you to the best places in the city and you’ll appreciate looking back on the memories • Consider renting an Airbnb or doing a house swap to get a more authentic feel for what it’s like to live there With that in mind, let’s travel!
Day 1
The first day is crucial to setting the tone of your trip. It’s a fine balance between slowly adjusting after a morning of travel and making the most of your limited time. After you reach your destination, I would recommend dropping off your luggage, freshening up, and then heading right back out the door for a casual, self-guided walking tour of the city. Taking a stroll around the city right away will quickly immerse you in the hustle and bustle, the sights and smells, and the overall flow of life in the city. Walking can also help you brush off some of your travel fatigue while giving you an opportunity to get your bearings for easier navigation later on. Plus, traveling on foot can help you figure out which places are popular without Google’s help. You might even find a hole-in-the-wall that only locals know about! After all that walking, you’ll undoubtedly be ready for some food. Here’s my top tip for first-day eating: start with what that city does best. If you’re in Philadelphia, eat Philly Cheesesteak; if you’re in Maine, you’d better try a lobster roll. I see no reason to save the best for last! You might as well set your standards high and
ILLUSTRATION BY TRACY FU
a delicious way to take in the city’s parks, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for a little people-watching!
keep them that way if you’re only there for three days. To cap off your first night, find a scenic location to enjoy the sunset and whatever irresistible dessert calls your name. Feel free to retire a bit early, because tomorrow will be a big day!
Day 2
For any three-day trip, set aside the second day as your “busy day” because it’s your only full day in the city. This is the day for crossing off as many of those mustsee places and must-do activities as your heart desires. To make the most of day two, get up early—and I’m talking like 8 a.m. Wake your body up with a steaming cup of coffee and a light, but energizing breakfast. Then, while the morning is still fresh, find something active to do like kayaking or yoga on a nearby beach. Refreshed from your morning activity, it’s time to take a break and grab a bite to eat! One of my favorite ways to feel out a city is to visit a local market and grab some fresh food for a picnic. Pack your bag full of warm bread, cheese, cured sausage, berries, olives, nuts and whatever kinds of vegetables you like. Not only is this
Now that you’ve refueled, continue crossing things off that bucket list. There’s no need to overwhelm yourself with a daunting list that you likely won’t complete, but it’s good to come prepared with a few places in mind— museums, monuments, scenic spots, vintage shops, bookstores, bakeries, gardens and the like. If the city is bike-friendly, cycling can be a great way to make traveling between destinations an activity in itself, or consider taking public transportation to get a feel for what daily commuting in the city is like. When you’re satisfied with the day’s excursions, find a spot to sit back and chow down. This is the perfect time to splurge on one of the more upscale restaurants that the city has to offer—after all, you’re on vacation! If you’re not anxious to hit the hay, check out the local nightlife scene, catch a show, take a late-night boat ride, or just find a cozy place to lay out under the stars!
Day 3
After yesterday’s endless activity, day three is the perfect time to slow down and soak in the city before you head home. A lazy, late-morning brunch full of sweet pastries, fresh fruit, and any-way-you-want-them eggs sounds to me like the perfect way to start the day. And don’t forget to visit that cute cafe down the road— the one that makes you feel like a regular—one more time before you leave. Sated and caffeinated, you’ve got a few solid hours ahead of you to play catch-up with any attractions or activities you missed in the days before. Or, my favorite way to spend the last day is by strolling around the downtown area, buying clothes and souvenirs that I definitely don’t need, and then finding a park or beach where I can spend a little more time relaxing in the sun before the stuffy plane ride home. And there you have it! Now it’s time for you to pick a city and get to work. Happy planning!
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a destination
IN THE CLOUDS
MCDEVITT
BY KIERSTEN MCDEVITT
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ut the window next to me, the night sky is a sea of misty ink. The airplane’s green wing light blinks back at me, occasionally illuminating the fluffy clouds we pass over. Inside, the cabin is just as dark, save for the pale blue glow of the overhead compartments. Everyone around me is either asleep or quiet. On the plane, I am nowhere at all. Yet, I am also somewhere, sitting in a cooled cabin with my headphones in, drifting 36,000 feet in the air. When we dream about travel, we tend to fixate on our final destination, be it a tropical beach, a snowy mountain, or a loved one’s house; we don’t typically celebrate the in-between. But a flight is its own destination. As I sit in the dim cabin, listening to the smooth drone of the plane’s engine, I find a place where I have nothing but time to disconnect from the buzzing world below and get excited about where I’m heading. On the way back, it will become a place where I can reminisce on what I’ve just left behind, prolonging the feeling of being on a trip. The flight is a place where my adventure both begins and ends. I enter its unique exhilaration when the runway races by and the buildings and cars around me spiral
ever smaller into the distance. When the big metal bird touches back down onto different ground, I know that as soon as it stops moving, I will get to set my own feet down somewhere new. During my visit in the sky, I might enjoy the bagel that I rushed to buy before boarding, I may listen to a long playlist, or I could meet a new friend. You never know the conversation you might strike up with the person next to you while you watch the same movie on your miniature seat-back screens, or when you complain to one another about how long the plane has been taxiing on the runway. Yes, the seats are a bit crammed, my ears are popping uncomfortably, and I can’t wait to step off into my new destination. But when I’m on a plane, I feel lucky because it means that I am going somewhere, and until I get there, I get to hang out in the stratosphere, staring at the stars of Orion that hover just left of the wing. It’s in the special moments like these that I simply don’t want to get off.
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THE TRUTH OF TRAVELING IN PALESTINE BY MIA GIFFORD
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n 2018, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and Palestine and it was one of the most pivotal experiences of my life. I went with a group of students from my local Lutheran church in Minneapolis to learn about the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine by talking to leaders from both communities, immersing ourselves in their cultures and exploring the land where they have resided for centuries. While we spent our nights in Jerusalem, we traveled into Palestine each morning where I met the kindest people, ate the most delicious food and learned more about resilience, patience, and respect in two weeks than I had in my previous 19 years of life. The idea of traveling to Israel and Palestine was nervewracking, as I couldn’t forget the horrific
stories of confrontations between Israel and Palestine portrayed on television. However, by the end of our trip, I didn’t want to leave. Woven into the fabric of immense hardship and sadness was inspiring resilience and hope. The locals we encountered could have pushed us away and made us feel unwelcome, but they did the exact opposite, leaving me with memories I’ll hold on to forever. Here are some of my favorite moments in Palestine.
Aida Refugee Camp
Our first stop was Aida Refugee Camp which is named after a woman who owned a coffee shop in the same location when the camp was built in the 1950s. As we walked through the narrow alleys lined with three-story makeshift buildings, we learned about life in the camp. With being placed under curfew enforced by the Israeli army, having your movements restricted and keeping water in a tank on the roof that was filled monthly - life in the camp was extremely difficult. Despite this, the families of Aida opened their homes to our privileged, white American group, feeding us piles of rice and chicken—the best I had ever had—and answering our every question. The residents of Aida showed us kindness and respect rather than resenting us for all that we had compared to them, teaching me that beauty and love can be found in the darkest of places.
GIFFORD, PALESTINE
GIFFORD, PALESTINE
H2 Area of Hebron, Palestine
Hebron is divided into two areas, H1 and H2; H1 is controlled by Palestine and H2 by Israel. The 350,000 Palestinians in H2 are under military rule and face extreme restrictions in their ancestral homeland. Hebron is among the top places to avoid when traveling to Israel and Palestine as an American due to its high militarization, but our group sought to gain a better understanding of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. After going through an armed gate to reach the Palestinian side of H2, we were told to be prepared for hostile words from the Palestinians due to our obvious look as Americans.
“I LEARNED MORE ABOUT RESILIENCE, PATIENCE, AND RESPECT IN TWO WEEKS THAN I HAD IN MY PREVIOUS 19 YEARS OF LIFE.” Only one person spoke negatively about America to us. The rest either looked at us curiously or welcomed us to buy from their stores and hear their stories. In such a highly militarized zone supported by America, one would have expected a more hostile experience, but the Palestinians here showed me that the people of a country are not equal to their government. Judging someone based on what their country has done without getting to know the person creates unnecessary bias and limits opportunities for rewarding relationships to blossom.
Ibrahim Mosque, Hebron, Palestine
Of all the incredible experiences I had in Palestine, the visit that ingrained itself into my very being was our trip to the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, Palestine. Despite this mosque’s dark history of being attacked by a white Israeli immigrant in 1994, resulting in 29 deaths
and 125 wounded, its people opened their doors to our group of white, American Christians. The horrors they experienced did not stop them from smiling genuinely at us as we passed through or sharing their sacred space. The worshippers at Ibrahim could have been wary of every white person that walked through the doors, particularly as bullet holes were still visible in the walls where they prayed. Instead, they accepted that the actions of one person does not define the whole group. Even though it’s cheesy to call something life changing, there is no other way to describe my time in Israel and Palestine. Despite the tension between the Israelis and Palestinians, I have never felt more at home. Since that summer, I have consistently worn a necklace with a Hamsa pendant from Bethlehem, Palestine. Considered to be the woman’s holy hand that is meant to protect the wearer from evil, it reminds me everyday of the resilient people I met and the lessons they taught me. I hope to return to Palestine one day and encourage everyone to visit this beautiful land to experience its culture and complex history.
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FIDZIUKIEWICZ
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treasure hunting A LOST TOOTH FOUND ME
BY SOPHIA MADORE
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elcome to the place I spent the past two years of college: the attic. I happily share this room with two of my best friends. However, this place is not only filled our college memories. When I look around, many subtle decorations take me back to past adventures. Walking across my bedroom, I stroll by a tiny gold rock that sits on my desk. This gold rock transports me to the time I worked at the YMCA of the Rockies. Gold rocks are hidden around the YMCA for little kids to find--it is a great game that forces kids to pay attention to their surroundings. But, in my case, my rock saw me. I was sitting on a picnic bench overlooking the mountains. I was trying to write in my calendar to plan my work week. All of a sudden my friend surprised me. He said, “A golden rock for you!” and handed me this tiny treasure. My friend giving me this tiny gold rock reminds me that even in the midst of the wonder of the mountains, I am noticed and appreciated. Upon opening my dresser drawer, I scramble through my t-shirts and come across one with a great story. My junior year of high-school, I went to Poland for World Youth Day. Every four years, young Catholics from all over the world gather to have Mass with the Pope. Before I left for the trip, I was told to bring things to trade. I brought postcards from my homeland: Minnesota. Once we arrived in Poland, a couple of my friends and I went into a tiny yellow coffee shop to go to the restroom. As we were waiting in line, a group of guys from Hungary were standing across the hall waiting for the men’s restroom. The little high school me asked, “Do you guys have anything to trade?” They said no.
Disappointed, I went to the restroom. As I walked out, one of the guys said that he did have something to trade! He pulled out this white wrinkly shirt from the bottom of his backpack that had Hungary written on the back. Trading a t-shirt for a postcard? Score for me! Over the years this t-shirt became a wardrobe staple. After many washes, the white colored shirt has changed to a dusty cream but is still a souvenir I treasure. Finally, my eyes drift to the tiny shark tooth on my shelf, and I remember hunching over in a cluster of thousands of shells. On the beach of South Carolina, I was trying so hard to find a shark’s tooth. Though it seems like a simple task, searching for a little black tooth is hard! Frustrated, I gave up—I didn’t need a shark tooth. All of a sudden an old man approached me and asked if I wanted a shark tooth. He handed me the tiniest one I have ever seen. The simplicity of this shark tooth and this random encounter with a stranger on the beach, brings me joy. All of these souvenirs were gifted to me. Noticed, I received a golden rock. Sharing my home through a postcard, I received a piece of someone’s homeland: a Hungary t-shirt. Dreaming about finding an ocean’s treasure, I received a shark tooth. Our experiences, and the people in them, bring spontaneity into our lives. Like these souvenirs, adventure is a gift to be received. Little, but meaningful adventures tend to find us in ways that we might not expect. Souvenirs magnify memories and remind us to embrace the ones to come.
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thoughts on IDENTITY, DIASPORA, AND TRAVEL FROM A NON-TRAVELER (AS YET) BY LYDIA NYACHIEO
“Where are you from?” “I’m from here.” *grins knowingly* “Ok, but where are you really from?” *smiles* “I’m from here but my dad is Kenyan – he’s a pilot there.” “Nice! When are you going home?” Home? I haven’t been outside of Wisconsin since I was four years old. If I were to go back to Kenya now, I would not think of it as home. Even though my dad is Kenyan, even though I look African, even though I revel in learning about the continent, even though I love African music, and even though nimeanza kujifunza Kiswahili¹, if I arrived in Nairobi tomorrow morning, I’d feel just as an outsider as a foreign-born mzungu².
one perceives it as ‘traveling’ versus ‘going home’. This kind of connection was something I admired in several of my high school classmates – those who could speak their parents’ language, who told of summers spent in Africa with family, who had a different dimension of culture to their lives. I’ve imagined how it will be like traveling to Kenya given this more distant connection. On one hand, because of my ‘Africaness’, I don’t expect that I’d be treated like a complete outsider; they would expect certain behaviors of me and recognize me with a familiarity that they wouldn’t a tourist. Yet, I can’t imagine I’d slip seamlessly into the culture; there’d still be a dissonance, due to how I talk, my American mannerisms, and my incomplete understanding of that society’s unspoken norms, customs, and ways of being. I’d still be an outsider.
To clarify, the conversation above – which shouldn’t be confused with one that would otherwise be deeply offensive – is one I remember having with a coworker who himself is West African. It’s a variation of one that often occurs between Africans in the diaspora who recognize another black person to be African or American African rather than African American³. I’ve had to navigate it many times.
Qali Id, a Danish-born Somali freelance writer, precisely captured this sentiment in saying, “many first-generation kids struggle with identity—you’re never enough of your original home and not enough of your adopted one.” For me, the United States is where I was born and grew up for most my life – yet I’ve always danced (or maybe stumbled) around the line between identifying and being identified as African American versus American African – and have often settled in the unique shade of blackness in-between.
When thinking about travel, in this case that of Africans in the diaspora traveling back to their country of heritage, I can’t help but think of how the strength of the connection to that country – perhaps a continuum of rootedness – shapes the travel experience and how much
But back to travel. Since I haven’t been to Africa since I was a toddler, I can only imagine how my experience traveling back will be. There are some in the diaspora who, when going back to their country of heritage, finally settle a piece of their identity. Qali Id described such
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experience going to Somalia for the first time in her article, “Moving to My Parents’ Homeland Helped Me Find Belonging”, saying, “An elderly lady at the market called after me one day, seeing from the way I carried myself that I wasn’t indigenous to Somalia, and welcomed me back, reassuring me that I belonged, that this was home. […] This acceptance provided an anchor I never knew I needed. There is an affirmation in belonging that provides some inner peace. It empowers.” Others are yet different. Danai Nesta Kupemba, a Zimbabwean writer who grew up in Britain, staunchly latched onto her British identity even after her family had moved back to Zimbabwe. As she explained in her article entitled “From Zimbabwe to England: A story of war, home and identity,” it was only after she began understanding her parents’ feelings toward Zimbabwe that she began to embrace it, saying: “I realized then that who I was was not rooted in where I had grown up but in the people who loved me. I may never love Zimbabwe as fiercely as they do, but I know now that I love them more than I could ever love England.” There’s yet more variety of sentiments for others in the diaspora, such as expatriates who’ve lived a number of years abroad. For many, no matter how accustomed
they’ve become to their adoptive country, there’s still a feeling of never quite being settled until they’re back in their native country. Yet this varies widely even among expatriates. My mom, who immigrated from West Africa in her late teens, doesn’t feel that same connection to her country of origin due to several factors of the way she grew up. If she were to go back now, she feels she wouldn’t quite fit in – she’d feel more like a visitor. Thus, this continuum of rootedness seems to be multidimensional, wherein the connection between one’s identity and one’s country of heritage dances on the intersection of the places one’s been, one’s family set-up, the cultures one’s exposed to, the people one loves, and those who love them back and make them feel like they belong. All of these inform the travel experience. These are simply passing thoughts on the themes of identity and diaspora as they relate to travel. I’m sure there is a whole literature on these themes – both in academia and in the unique stories of countless others in the diaspora. As the title also implies, I have yet to travel. It’s something I yearn for and look forward to – not just to Africa, but all over the world; and not merely as a tourist, but as a professional in the field of international affairs. ¹ I’ve started learning Swahili ² Caucasian person ³ A distinction I’ve contemplated before but have only ever heard articulated in Adichie’s Americanah, pg 171-173.
ROBERT MWANGI, NAIROBI ROBERT MWANGI IS NOT A UW-MADISON STUDENT
following photographical footsteps
BY SARA SHEIBANI
This is a small scrapbook of photographs taken on film by my parents while visiting family and traveling to different places in Iran. I hope in the future to explore beyond the frame of these photos making my own memories and maybe taking my own photos. These photographs show only a slice of the history and wondrous terrain that Iran holds but gives me a starting point for a journey the future holds.
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Siose Pol in Esfahan
Alburz Cacaus
Zooastrian Temple in Yazd
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YOU CAN NEVER WANDER TOO FAR FROM HOME BY VAATHSALYA KARPE
I missed Hyderabad the second I left. Everything went by in a blur, quicker than I could process. My extended family, all of my cousins and aunts and uncles who were still in the country, had come to the airport to send me off. My departure was an excuse to get together and catch up on gossip. In the midst of the chatter that buzzed among them, I tried to savor all of the people around me, to capture and remember them with my eyes and my camera. I didn’t know when I would see them again, and, for a split second, I didn’t want to leave. While I waited to walk through the airport entrance, I felt myself being torn by my past and my future. On one hand, I was terrified out of my mind — I was be leaving everything I’d ever known for an unknown, and on another hand, I was excited for the endless possibilities that I was stepping into. But most of all, I was jittery with nerves and emotions I was trying not to show. I reminded myself that this was a choice that I was consciously making and that I was leaving much earlier than most of my cousins did, who usually waited until grad school to leave home. As the
tears threatened to spill, the mellow August evening breeze playing on my face was a brief reassurance that everything was going to be okay. After a slew of hugs, kisses and goodbyes, my promises to keep in touch and their teasing threats/pleas not to forget them, I left. I walked through the doors with all the courage I could muster, which wasn’t enough to look back one last time. The stress was already taking over me as I entered the airport, for it was my first time flying internationally in over a decade. My dad was on the line, explaining how to get through the airport while trying to mask the fact that he was more stressed than me. The endlessly long and messy baggage check line made my paranoid-self very grateful I said goodbye to my family earlier than they suggested. Somehow, I successfully navigated through the airport and found myself at the flight gate. I wished I had more time to catch my breath and roam around. Looking at people travelling together made me wish I had a companion to ease my nerves. But before I could get too caught up in my feelings, I was on the flight.
As we took off, I could hear my heart pounding against my chest, seemingly louder than the take-off boom. As I looked out the window, watching my hometown get smaller and smaller, eventually vanishing in the night sky, I felt a part of myself stay behind. I wondered what everyone else was doing as they watched my flight depart, but knowing them, and having been in the situation myself so many times before, I knew they would head straight to McDonald’s for dinner before heading back home. My nerves eased once I found a movie to watch. But somewhere over the Arabian Sea en route to Abu Dhabi, I looked out at the blanket of clouds passing underneath my feet and burst into tears. I wasn’t sure why I was crying, but I made sure to do discretely and completely. I promised myself that I would return as soon as I could. It’s been two and a half years since I’ve left home, and the longing is really starting to hit me. I always thought that I was the kind of person who would leave their hometown and only return for brief twoweek-long visits. For years, there was nothing more that I wanted but to escape the routine life I had and explore the world I was being sheltered from. I thought that there was nothing Hyderabad could offer me anymore, that I saw everything interesting and needed to move on. But no one told me that moving on meant leaving a part of me behind. No one told me that the slightest crowd would take me back to the streets of Hyderabad.
hardest part of the journey, but I wasn’t prepared for the longing that would hit me later on. As much as I have tried and will continue to try making Madison home, deep down, I know it never truly will be. And that goes for any other place in the world as well. When I use the word “home” to describe my tiny college apartment in Madison, I feel guilt. I say it out of convenience rather than truth. Don’t mistake me. Traveling has made me find a newfound appreciation towards the things that don’t receive the applause. And I’m so grateful each day for this opportunity. But I am reminded of Hyderabad everywhere I go. A warm day takes me back to when light leaking through the trees soaked my face. A summertime breeze reminds me of the Hyderabadi night breeze that was just the right measure of cold caressing my clammy cheeks. Walking through UW Madison’s hidden Botany Garden reminds me of my mother’s thriving mini garden, which she made work despite all the odds against it. Hearing people yelling on State Street reminds me of my neighbors arguing over things I didn’t know could be argued over. But when I feel the most at home is when I’m sitting by Lake Mendota, the heart of Madison, just as Hyderabad’s heart-shaped lake, Hussain Sagar. Today, my dreams consist of living an idyllic life, waltzing through the traffic with inherent expertise and pausing only to get some street food. The center of my circumference is Hyderabad. Among the organized chaos and irrational rationality of my home is where I belong.
I thought that the eight-thousand-something mile journey from Hyderabad to Madison would be the
FIDZIUKIEWICZ, USA
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CHASING MEMORIES BY RACHEL BETTERS
t is nighttime in Krakow, Poland. We just arrived in the heart of the city after dining at a traditional Polish restaurant with too many consonants to pronounce. We are wandering through the Old Town Square, the streets refreshingly calm after the crowds of Eastertime Prague. My friends stop in front of a boy playing Ed Sheeran songs next to an open guitar case; Abby drops in a Polish coin, uncertain of its value. Three days later, the four of us are on a hilltop outside of Budapest, looking down on the sparkling city. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. We are giddy with the cool night air and the astonishing views, snapping photographs with our phones and recording videos in an effort to capture the beauty of the night. Abby leans forward and stretches out her arms dramatically, mocking an ancient statue behind her. Around a year later, we are all reunited. This time we stand in a sterile gray room, the dullness interrupted only by gifts from friends, a handmade quilt sewn with messages and a thick Italy guidebook on the bedside table. One of us is in a hospital bed, the rest gathered around awkwardly. We struggle for something to hold on to as Abby drifts in and out of consciousness. Between her foggy state and the mask on her face, she is often incomprehensible. She mutters about taking something out of the oven, a quiet remnant of her lifelong passion for cooking and baking, but we are unable to hold a true conversation with her until one of us mentions our past trip to Eastern Europe.
“Many people chase memories around the globe or retrace their loved ones’ footsteps in search of closure and connection.” We do most of the talking, but she remains lucid as we remember our travels, laughing quietly at humorous memories and adding in occasional garbled commentary. We keep the conversation light, reminiscing about the attractive tour guide we met in Prague, or the afternoon in Berlin when a boy on our trip spilled chocolate ice
BETTERS, ITALY
BETTERS, HUNGARY cream down his pants. She shares her dream to travel to Italy “when this is all over.” Nothing of substance is discussed, but we know these moments are important. Of all the memories we’d shared with Abby--late nights finishing the yearbook over pizza and laughter, early high school mornings, celebratory ice cream sundaes at the local Culver’s--those nine days of European travel are what stayed with her.
time I traveled alone. I sat in the pew with a journal and a pen and wrote about Abby, because something about being alone in that glorious space made me think of her. I was taken back to a church in my hometown the summer before, friends and family dressed in her favorite shade of blue, singing “Amazing Grace” in her honor. I lit candles for her in churches across Europe, in Austria and Germany and Florence’s Duomo. It was a small gesture, but in my sentimental mind, it was fitting.
Abby never made it to Italy. It had been her dream: a culinary tour of the country, planned for the summer after she finished her chemo treatments. It would have been a combination of the things she loved best (travel and food) and a celebration of all she had been through (beating cancer and graduating high school from a hospital bed). I did make it to Italy, for two months during a study abroad program. For the most part, those months were purely exhilarating and carefree. I spent my weekends traveling to cities throughout Italy and Europe; I even returned to Germany, remembering Abby as I ate the hearty food and walked the old town squares she had once enjoyed.
It pains me how easy it is to forget about those I’ve lost in the routines of daily life. But travel, especially solo travel, brings old memories back to the forefront of my mind. When I revisit a place like Germany, a place I associate with such a specific time and group of people, it is impossible to ignore her absence. I know my story isn’t unique, and that many people chase memories around the globe or retrace their loved ones’ footsteps in search of closure and connection. But prior to these trips, I had seen travel as a way to escape the real world. Now, I realize it is also a way to remember the most important parts of it. Regardless of the years and events that pass, I take comfort in knowing that I will always be able to find Abby on a hilltop in Budapest or in the nighttime streets of Krakow.
Most of all, I remembered her in the churches. I remember sitting at St. Peter’s Church in Salzburg, Austria during one of my weekend trips; it was the first SPRING 2021
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Souvenirs is a collection of travel and multicultural experiences from students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Souvenirs’ mission is to provide a platform for students to share lessons they learned while traveling and to provide readers with quality information while inspiring wanderlust.
JAIN, MORROCO
VBAD
@SOUVENIRSMADISON SOUVENIRSMADISON.COM
