Goodbye My Lovers, Goodbye My Friends?

The winter semester has come to an end. It was quite a ride I must say. It might be a cliché, but Erasmus really is a life-changing experience. At least for me. I really appreciate the opportunity to see what living and studying abroad looks like. To step outside of my bubble and see the world from different perspectives. To learn about other cultures. All of that made me rethink some priorities and feel so grateful for everything I have.

As I mentioned in my first post on this blog, Munich wasn’t originally my dream destination. But I guess that when we don’t have high expectations, we can only be positively surprised. Maybe not only. For instance, I’m not exactly a fan of local transportation and not at all a fan of the crazy prices. However, in the end I’m gonna miss so many things about this city. I’m gonna miss fresh pretzels from bakeries. Healthy food in student cafeterias. Karaoke nights. Pub quizzes. Board game nights. Lively libraries and packed parks. Surrounding mountains and lakes. And of course – all the amazing people I met!

In my first post, I was also hoping for some unforgettable memories, and I promised to my readers that I might share some of them. So here they are: I hiked in the Alps. I walked in parks. I visited galleries. I went on trips to Passau and Nürnberg. I saw the Neuschwanstein and Nymphenburg castles. I tasted meals I’ve never tried before. I drank mulled wine at Christmas markets. I had snowball fights in the middle of nights. I danced in the kitchen with my Italian flatmate. I watched a football match with my Spanish friends. I partied and got home in the mornings. Some of them may sound ordinary, but I will always remember how good I felt. It is true that I had also days and nights which didn’t go well. But I came here extremely depressed and after a couple of months I would be leaving extremely happy. That’s why I don’t want to leave now and I’m extending my stay. I can’t wait for what is yet to come!

A Little Love Letter

Dear Munich,

There are several things I have to say to you. First of all, I’m beyond grateful that we met. I thought it was quite a coincidence, but you proved me wrong. It was meant to be.

You have no idea how beautiful you are. Your colourful trees and elegant buildings are simply enchanting! You’re so vibrant during the day, yet calm at night. You’re young spirited. And you have several personalities representing different cultures which seem to be living in you in a perfect harmony.

Frankly as always, Prague has been and might forever be the love of my life. However, you’re more than a lover to me. I found much more in you than I expected at the beginning. You offered me home. You made me feel safe. You made me grow. And glow. You taught me how to respect myself. How to be independent. How to look at the world from a new point of view. You taught me what it is, living a life instead of surviving it. With you I feel free as a bird and happy as a kid. Thank you.

I feel like it can’t be over yet. There are many more corners of you I still haven’t explored. I haven’t seen you in all your seasons, all your moods. And I would really love to learn your (love) language. Please, let me stay for one more semester. Let me drink beer and get lost in your Lost Weekend a few more times.

With love, 

Hanka