Other parts of the word are exciting to think about, but I never really considered the possibility of learning about them on sight. The feel of those cities is in and of itself something awe inspiring for me. Of course as a foreigner I’m going to have plenty of things to love and hate about any place I visit, but with regards to this trip, it is not so important that I did not love everything I encountered. Something of importance that I brought home from this trip was knowledge, but I was also fortunate enough to bring home the ability and desire to seek out and acquire knowledge just because I can. New environments are incredible stimulus for idle disinterest and I do not think I would have taken the time to learn as much European history were the circumstances different. I learned a lot about European history, certainly a great deal more than I knew before the trip, but I also learned a lot about people and culture. Europe is steeped in culture and interesting history and the people who live there are just as proud of their history as some Americans. The best part about being in Europe is that there is so much to learn. Even though people aren’t so big on them now, monarchies did a lot for arts and religion, for culture in general. If it weren’t for monarchies, no one would have had to invent new ways to spend ridiculous amounts of money and there wouldn’t be elaborate gardens and castles to tour, and there wouldn’t be so many statues and monuments to appreciate and poke fun of. Honestly though, its enlightening and humbling to have witnessed some of Europe’s treasures first hand. It reminded me that the culture that I grew up in, the world that I know, they’re not the end all and be all of existence. America is not necessarily the greatest country on earth, the world is worth exploring, and lots of things are much better in person than they can ever be on line or through digital cable. And people, I said I learned about people. I learned what it is like to be a foreigner and have a new respect for people who come to America and have to find their way around. I learned that it is just little things that make cultures and nations different. Not everyone is so sensitive and defensive about personal boundaries and no one in Europe cares if I stare too long or stand too close. In the states I sometimes have to mind how long I look at people and in what way and it is never really ok to be almost too close to someone without reason, but in Europe there were a number of times that I felt that everyone was too close and that some people didn’t look away soon enough. I had an old lady stare my down in a tram and I lost. I was uncomfortable in the moment, but when I think back on it I have to laugh because it is usually me who is staring and making someone uncomfortable. Even better, that little old lady didn’t even pretend to look away when I met her eyes. In America, you’re a loony tune if you stare to long, but in Budapest you’re just minding your business. As for national identity in public, I think people area construction of national identity. There are all the nuances of what culture says is and isn’t and that tell what people have been through. People in any nation are products of history and circumstance and little things, like an old lady taking the freedom to stare as long as she pleases at a stranger on the train, say “I’m here and I’ve earned it,” or “They forgot to leave, pay mind you don’t,” and even “Well, welcome to a new view of world.”