As the final minutes of my flight home pass, I reminisce about the incredible opportunity I had this last week. The opportunity to build longlasting friendships, bonds, and memories that I will cherish forever. However, it is not only the end of this journey, but the beginning of a bigger and brighter future.
As I look through various pictures on my camera and phone, I can barely contain my desire to go back. The smiles and laughter these photos capture paint an illustrious picture of the newly experienced culture and the newly forged friendships. These photos depict my truly awesome experience and exhibit the landscape of a place I can now call home.
While the flight attendants bring our food, I recall the cuisine as well as the American snacks we introduced to our Hungarian friends. I remember the immense amount of bread we consumed as well as the delicious lunch we enjoyed on our first day. I think of the day we introduced our new friends to “Cheese It’s” and “Cliff Bars”. I now anticipate the day that they will come visit us so we can continue our “food bonding sessions”.
As I walk through the aisles of the plane, memories of walking through Budapest flood my brain. Every landmark we saw serves as a window into their rich culture and ancient history. I think of the fountain near the parliament at which our group repeatedly “split the seas”. I recall the day on which we walked twelve miles yet, continued to laugh and smile despite our aching legs.
Despite the countless memories, it is hard to put into words the impact this trip made on my life. It revealed many things about who I am and what I want to become. It showed me the importance of reaching out to others and working as a team to achieve a common goal. It taught me to cherish every small moment and not to wish life away. But most importantly, it enhanced my connection to the Jewish people and instilled meaning in many of the practices I regularly take for granted. This trip gave me a new found goal of filling every second of my life with meaning and I hope to use the skills I acquired to further challenge me in my future endeavors. ~Aleesa
