College Summer Experience in Europe - AARP Bulletin
What I Really Know About Turning Points Crossing the Divide
London in the summer of 1971 was hot, busy, crowded and teeming with tourists. There I was, 20 years old, between my sophomore and junior years at the University of Vermont. I had just finished a six-week stint as a chambermaid at a hotel on Devon’s spectacularly scenic seaside. The work was hard, and after only one day off a week, I was ready for a real vacation—three weeks of traveling solo. I was savoring the freedom to “do my own thing.” After visiting Stonehenge and Stratford, I took the train to London with every intention of staying awhile. But when I could not find a room, bunk or floor anywhere, I freaked out. Was I going to have to sleep on the streets? No. And it was precisely at this moment that I made the first adult decision of my life. This choice was entirely my own, not one tempered by parents or siblings, classmates, boyfriends or well-meaning friends. I had to go somewhere. And so, in a flash, as I stood amid a bustling throng of people, I decided where. Amsterdam. Within minutes, I was on a train barreling out to Heathrow and soon found myself in a country where no one seemed to speak English. My well-thumbed edition of Europe on $5 a Day—it really was possible then—led me to a youth hostel. After settling in, I headed to nearby Dam Square, where hundreds gather in the heart of the city. I saw a crowd of people jamming with guitars and drums. Fortunately, I had packed my flute and joined in. Suddenly, I was looking up into the lens of someone’s camera. I’m part of the scene here, I thought, even though I’m a tourist. Without warning, a rainstorm hit and our newly formed merry band headed over to an apartment for coffee. Although we couldn’t communicate by words, the language of music had made us friends, a magical memory of my newfound adulthood. The AARP Bulletin’s What I Really Know column comes from our readers. Each month we solicit personal essays on a selected topic and post some of our favorites in print and online. Pip Klein is a reader from Florida, N.Y. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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