Overwhelmed

The most prominent emotion I've experienced on this trip is the being overwhelmed. I realize that the initial connotation of this word might be bad, but for me I've been overwhelmed in good and bad ways. Allow me to explain.

Before leaving for this trip, I had the sudden realization that I didn't know anyone. Nobody on my trip is from UCA, let alone Arkansas. The thought that I was going to be some 5,000 miles away from home with a bunch of strangers was extremely overwhelming. I knew I was going to make great friends and memories, but I was going to be in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. It was both scary and exciting. 

Along these lines, I've been overwhelmed by the acceptance and generosity of the other people on this trip. I feel as though we have all quickly accepted each other and formed lasting friendships. I could not have imagined any greater acceptance or inclusion from a group of strangers. This has quickly eased my anxieties about being with a group of strangers in an unknown country. So in this way, being overwhelmed was certainly a good thing. 

I've also been overwhelmed by the amount of beauty in Heidelberg. This city is breathtakingly gorgeous. From the Neckar River to the Philosopher's Walk, from warm, sunny days to stormy, cloudy days, I've been mesmerized by the beauty that surrounds this city. Even in the man made buildings like the castle, the architecture and design surpasses so many buildings in the United States. 

However I've also been overwhelmed by being constantly busy. I have a really horrible habit of taking every opportunity available to me that I forget when to stop and rest. The past couple of days I've noticed that I'm filled to my brim with knowledge, people, and experiences. I become exhausted and, well, overwhelmed. I love learning about this town and experiencing its culture, but I extend myself so far that I can't handle anything else. This is something I'm acknowledging and wanting to change within the next few months. 

To quote 10 Things I Hate About You:

"I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed? 

I think you can in Europe." 

I haven't quite felt just "whelmed" yet, and I certainly haven't felt underwhelmed, but I'm hoping I can start to regulate my experiences and get into a healthy, normal routine.

Anna Laura McAfee