A Dry Run (Europe Part 1)

Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and a dozen more languages I can't discern buzz around us as we stumble in a jet-lagged haze through Amsterdam's busy airport.  I let the overwhelming stimuli of myriad cultures comfortably co-existing wash over me.   I can't even begin to process the tapestry that's spinning around my head on 25 measly minutes of shut-eye (not sleeping, mind you; literally, I shut my eyes, but could find no way to get the rest I knew I'd need come morning).  We hop on a quick flight to Basel, Switzerland and stumble out the doors only to realize that our passports have NOT yet been stamped for entry.  We ask an officer what to do now that we had passed through customs and he said that there was nothing to be done.  Are we fugitives?  Have we illegally entered the European continent on the first swipe?  Silly Americans...

And so began our "dry run" exploration of Europe... Nearly 3 weeks to start to adapt to the fact that "you know nothing, Jon Snow."  A chance to experience different languages... new foods... strange signs... and funny looking money.  The heart of the European mainland yielded all of these things, but was certainly cushioned by the fact that nearly everywhere we went (Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and even France) people were clearly more ready to deal with me than I was with them.  I felt humbled at the ease with which people switched from language to language, whereas I found myself nonsensically falling back on Spanish to communicate (as of now it's the only "other" language I am used to speaking, so when someone asked me something in Swiss or German, I found myself automatically responding with a "si, gracias" more than once).  This might go over better in Portugal.  Or maybe not. 

It was a beautiful and unexpectedly busy trip, chock-full of cathedrals, castles, and the vestiges of time past (buildings considered "ancient" in America would in many cases seem to be considered "new" in Europe... or not considered at all).  At times I felt like I was navigating these new cultures with all the grace of an elephant trying to tiptoe through a room of bubble-wrap.  But I guess that's my future, so I better get used to it.  Exactly 2 weeks from today, by this time we should have landed in Portugal, toured our school, opened a bank account, and be right in the middle of touring furnished apartments, where we'll spend the next 2 years of our lives.  Deep breath.  The dry run of Europe was great, but when I face up to the reality that it is my future, the elephant in me is ready to storm the circus crowd, knock down the supports, and hide in the collapsing tent until it all blows over.  I'm overwhelmed... but I suppose that's the natural feel of things.  All I can do is make the most of the time with my family, friends, and familiar life... and remind myself that eventually, Portugal will be familiar, too.