The Place –
The first major European city I visited was Berlin. I was traveling with a local friend and although that was 9 years ago, I can still remember the sights, the conversations, and the streets. And I know that these are more than just memories attached to photographs because Berlin was also the first city I’ve revisited as a tourist.
At first it was a strange feeling passing by the Brandenburg gate and Reichstag only to think, “been there, done that.” But then I realized how much freedom I had when all of the standard tourist attractions have been crossed off – and more importantly stay crossed off because of the very real impression they left on me the first time around.
Maybe I remember eating cappuccino ice cream for lunch in Potsdamer Platz because it was my first real travel experience without my family and without the normal societal rules. Maybe it was just my age. But I find it interesting that things I did 9 years ago have beat the test of time, while I now find it hard to remember where my friend’s London flat is after having stayed in it only weeks before.
The Person –
My Dad’s favorite phrase to associate with me (his youngest child) was coined when I was three years old: “God help the man she decides to marry.” And every time he can share that story with strangers, he will.
Now I’m not denying that I can be opinionated and strong-willed, but that phrase simply doesn’t represent any part of who I am in relationships. My father still sees his little girl as the bossy five year old with budding leadership characteristics, which align with his leadership style. But no matter what I say to try to introduce my Dad to the woman I’ve become, I still remain that little girl in his idealistic mind.
I just spent a solid 2 weeks of one-on-one time with my Dad on a trip. I’m not sure we’ve ever spent so much solo time together, and I was sure that he would start to see the ‘present’ me. I guess that was the idealistic me thinking.
