The Adventure

I'm leaving. 

On Tuesday, January 21st, I am getting out of my warm bed and comfort zone in St. Paul, Minnesota (estimated windchill: -20F) and embarking on an adventure of a life time! I'll probably cry some once I touch down in my destination. I'll probably regret my decision for the first couple of days. But my friends, that's why I know I have to do this: because it stirs something inside of me that makes me uncomfortable. Something that wants to laugh and play and discover the world and something that shudders at the idea of being away from my home and my family for so long. And that's the genius of it: where I'll make a transition from dorky college student who likes to crochet and play ukulele to dorky college student who likes to crochet and play ukulele AND has a better sense of who she is and what makes her tick.

A map of Germany--Wittenberg

A small history lesson....
First I'll be going to Wittenberg, Germany, a city which (according to the reputable source of Wikipedia) is about 92.79 square miles and has a population of roughly 50,000. I'll be staying for the first half of my trip at Wittenberg University, founded in 1502 and place of study to influential people such as Martin Luther, a theology professor and a key player in the Protestant Reformation movement.The movement began in roughly 1517 when Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of All Saints Church. Luther started out by criticizing the Catholic Church's "indulgences" (defined as "a remission of temporal punishment due to previously forgiven sin") but ended by touching on a wide variety of issues that he and the Catholics didn't agree on. Presto! The Lutheran church was born.

Statue of Martin Luther located outside his house.

Okay, so maybe that doesn't sound like a great way to spend 6 weeks to you. And I'll admit, I was a little disappointed when I found out we wouldn't be staying in a more glamorous location, like Berlin or Frankfort.  However, as someone raised in a family of history know-it-alls should always do, I started conducting a little research on the sleepy town. Turns out, I'm excited to go there.
One of my beloved professors at school is always talking about how a culture's art reflects the goings on of that culture. After spending this past semester learning about Christian art work, my mind is racing with possible stylistic observations and speculations about content. Plus, Europe is connected by train. Like, everywhere. It won't be too hard to go see the Berlin wall.

Other stuff I'm excited about:

 

Food.
 

The town of Wittenberg, where I'll be staying. Look how cute!

Uhm, beer. 'Nuff said.

Castles. Lots of castles.











And finally...




Hey, wait a minute....
Oh well, look how cute!