School of Travel: Twenty Years in Central Europe. Working, Traveling, Learning

Preface

This autobiographical book details how I spent almost twenty years living and working in two countries, Croatia and the Czech Republic. It includes activities while I was working, details on Croatian and Czech culture, people I met, and some of the different topics I learned during this time. I have found that travel is like going to school. I entered into the school of travel, took a variety of classes, and tried to incorporate the lessons I learned. I know there are many of you who enjoy reading about travel and experiences in other cultures. To this end, the purpose of this book is to recreate my time there as accurately as possible. This was done with the hope that you will perhaps be inspired to travel, to meet other people, and to get to know the great big world that is our home. And maybe this will lead to more understanding, peaceful interaction with others, a better knowledge of geography, and even a personal transformation. I have also placed the book within the idea of travel as a school—something from one of my previous research papers, called Learning while Traveling: The School of Travel. I am presenting the idea that travel is like entering a school, with teachers, classes, recess, and the bully on the playground. The educational theme is mentioned throughout this book.

Because I lived abroad for twenty years, this book also includes several of the travel experiences I had in other areas. All pictures in this book were taken while I was there unless noted. Please note that I am writing from personal experiences, and if I have made some errors or if something should be said in a different way, please send me your comments. Everything related in this book is true as far as I can recall. I include various scenarios reflecting the wide range of adventures awaiting the traveler. These are scattered all through the book randomly. There are also several descriptions of people I met throughout the book, and there is a continual reference to school, as a way that travel can educate the traveler. When you travel somewhere, it is not a continuous experience; you will encounter many varieties of people and scenarios each day within that particular trip.

Europe is full of beautiful churches with grand architecture and imposing heights, not only in large cities but also in small rural areas. This church is in Sternberg, Czech Republic, a town of about twelve thousand people.

Chapter One:

What Makes a Traveler?

Walking over to my neighbor’s house, I knew that once inside I would see things differently. There were three boys there, whereas at my home, I was the only boy. They used powdered milk and mixed it with the regular milk. And they went to a different church and prayed touching some necklace around their neck. For me, all of this was interesting.

Another friend’s house had a completely different smell. Also, there was a dog inside the house, running, barking, and adding to all the excitement. His mom made a special toast from a pound cake. For me, all of this also was interesting, and I was fascinated by the different ways people lived. I liked it all and wanted more!

Once a year, our parents loaded us into the car, and the five or six of us would go on an adventure to Daytona Beach or the North Georgia mountains, and even one long trip to Washington DC with our nextdoor neighbors, the Perrys. It was all very friendly, happy, and enjoyable. Every day was positive with the potential of adventure and excitement. Although I was bubbling over with enthusiasm at each turn, I could look around and see others did not feel the same.

I often wonder why some people never leave. Some folks never go on a trip or even leave home. One of my uncles would say to me, I don’t need to go anywhere, and you are just wasting your time, running all around. And there are others who can travel but won’t because of endless excuses. Well, I don’t have anyone to go with me. Or Who is going to feed the dog? Or I am not sure it’s safe to go there. Or I can’t drive that far. What is going on inside our heads to make us cancel our trips? Why do we shun subways, airplanes, cruise ships, strangers, or foreign countries? What makes others venture out? Who will go on these adventures, and who are the dropouts and why?

Although, the joy of being at home is also a treasure. The sense of completeness you can feel and the lack of need to travel can also bring a sense of satisfaction. I remember one of my aunts saying, Donny, I don’t need to go anywhere; I have seen all I need to see. I am just happy to be here. I thought, How wonderful that is; and one day, I too will be there. But I am not talking about that perspective now; rather I am talking about the inability to travel, make new friends, see new places, or greet new ideas.

This is a book about travel, about the way travel is a school, but it does not have to be over the ocean. It can be next door if we are willing, if we are curious, if we will listen. I invite you to join me in the world of travel and to join the school of travel.

Ibrahim

Fall of 1997. I met Ibrahim while we were involved in some Christian activities in Bosnia, in a town called Tuzla. I was there with Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru), and we were sponsoring a class in conversational English, just to help people who knew some English to practice with native English speakers. He was in my group. He was very friendly, nice, and athletic, and he was interested in talking with us. He is one of the few Muslim folks I have met. I asked him if he would like to go bowling and we went. After our class, we exchanged contact information, and I tried to keep in touch with him. We visited this area several times, trying to help strengthen churches and make friends with students. When I returned, I would contact Ibrahim and we would meet. He became comfortable with me, and since his family had a car, he wanted to drive me around the area. He began to share things with me slowly. Donald, this is the area where I was forced to fight when I was a teenager during the Yugoslav Wars. He showed me various places where he was involved during the war. He explained more about his faith to me. Ibrahim discussed what it meant to be Muslim, and I asked a few questions about his faith. Like many others in this area, he grew up Muslim, like many in the USA South grow up Protestant; however, during the war, most of these somewhat nominal Muslim people became more convinced of their beliefs. I eventually met some of his family and friends.

Many of the towns in Europe have areas in the center, without cars, and where the pedestrian can freely walk. Although one must park and walk, the experience of freely meandering around the statues, cafés, shops, and restaurants is very nice. Here is the famous center of Olomouc, Czech Republic. In the background is the town hall, and in the foreground is the famous UNESCO-designated statue, which the town built in thanks to God for stopping the plague. And, if you look closer, you can see my brother and mom walking there.

We kept in touch, and when I was in Sarajevo after 9/11 (the Twin Towers attack in New York City), I contacted him, and he was surprised I wanted to meet him after all the backlash against Muslim people. We met for coffee and had a nice talk while smoking a hookah. (This is a very typical Arabian pastime in coffee shops.) This was almost ten years after our first meeting. Ibrahim has become a medical doctor and specializes in brain surgery.

Chapter Two:

Meditate, Think about, Consider . . .

Most of us are eager to share about our travels or to explain to others the joys of our journeys. We have all had to endure the history of the captured moment, from slide shows to movies to videos to photo albums, and now the mobile phone is jutted into our vision, uninvited, to show us enchanting photos, adding more fuel to the mystery of travel. Most of us have folders, baskets, or drawers full of photos we have never put away, or mobile phones or data clouds full of repeated photos of costly sojourns. If you have this book, I venture to say you like to travel, maybe love to travel. I would like for you to take the Travel Test and begin to think about your travels.

Travel Test

Please be as honest as you can when you answer the questions in the Travel Test.

Describe a travel experience. When? Where? Who? What? Interesting travel details? Who organized this trip?

If you repeated this trip, what would you do differently?

What are your main memories from this trip?

What did you learn while you were on this trip? Also, what did you learn about yourself or others?

What are the positive experiences from this travel?

Were there mistakes made during this trip or negative experiences (from yourself, others, or service providers)?

Did you meet or have meaningful interactions with any local people during this trip?

What were your approximate expenses on this trip? Was this experience worth the money paid?

Transportation

Accommodation

Food and drink

Entertainment, program, or museum

Souvenirs

Other

Anything else you want to say about this trip?

(Travel Test is a part of research sponsored by Donald N. Roberson, Jr., PhD. You can reach him at dnrobersonjr@gmail.com)

What Makes Travel Meaningful?

Meaningful travel occurs when one sees the important aspects of one’s life within the framework and contrast of another place or culture. One lady I interviewed as part of my research said, To be able to see and to know the people, the dedication of some of them . . . to their church . . . to be able to have that firsthand experience of two different churches in Kenya. . . .

In addition, meaning and impact in travel occur when there are interactions with locals. . . . He kept getting closer and closer . . . and looking at my skin . . . he was fascinated with my tape recorder. . . . Rather than becoming enmeshed with other travelers, often these travelers reached out to locals and attempted to make contact with them.

Learning in travel occurs as a result of preparation before and after the trip. . . . I appreciated the whole world because I did a lot of reading about things . . . about the world, geographically, and the people, buildings, . . . just that I got to see it more, made me feel more akin to it, and that much more amazed. . . . Also each person in this research discussed the importance of effective tour guides: . . . We felt safer with him . . . we could ask him anything, and he could answer it for us . . . we felt close to him. . . .

This anticipation of the trip often results in planning and preparation that may last a year before the trip, and it often continues for a year after the trip as they continue to learn more about the places they visited. This excitement of an upcoming trip adds a new meaning and significance to the person’s life. One couple discussed how much they enjoyed reading about places they were going to visit during car trips; another couple discussed how they will continue to read about a location for a year after they have been there. This learning based on actual experiences solidifies their learning.

Of special interest seems to be surprise learning. This unanticipated response to something new seems to remain in the traveler’s mind, forcing them to realign previous thoughts and ideas.

Travelers sometimes change as a result of a trip. They identify a change in meaning that can be internal or external. For example, one person states, "As a result of these trips, I have a wider world, new friends, new ideas, and challenges. Travel in foreign countries may bring potential troubles on the road. Learning to handle language, money, directions, and location may present a shallow" disorienting dilemma. Although not a life crisis, each traveler discussed how negotiating these difficulties has resulted in a greater self-confidence and learning. Each traveler discussed similar changes, how they became more confident and more aware of the world.

Sharing Your Trip

Social media can be a great way to share about your trip. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or others can offer an easy platform for sharing your story with those who want to hear it. When you return, those who are interested in your trip will ask you to share. There are some who will say, Wow, I see you went to Paris. Tell me, in a minute, what was the best and the worst part? And then you may have the luxury of a friend who will sit down with you and really listen as you share your story. Knowing how to respond to the various reactions of a sought-after trip is important.

Scenario. Summer of 1998. Once, while in France, I got stuck during travel because there was a train strike for over a week. I was staying at one of these alpine inns in the Pyrenees, and I needed to get to Spain. I stood up during one meal and explained my situation. One timid man said, Sir, you may ride with us by car to San Sebastian, Spain; we are leaving in the morning. On this same trip, I noticed we were going to pass through the town called Lourdes. In the Catholic tradition, this is a very holy place concerning Mary. Europe is so influenced historically by the Catholic culture, and I had noticed this name before and thought, Okay, this South Georgia Protestant can stand some of this. But I was not prepared to see such a large number of people in search of anything about Mary. There is a cave there where there was a vision of Mary. To get into this cave, there is a long line, and there is water flowing from there, which people come from across the globe for its healing. There are hospitals there. I saw ladies from Italy in some dress of which I can hardly describe, with large tiaras and black veils and long elegant black dresses, lying prostrate on the floor. There are many places around the world, including Forsyth, Georgia, where there have been visions of Mary and which has in turn created its own unique travel culture.

I recommend a few pointers that have worked for me: (1) Choose a social media platform and post your itinerary or two pictures per day. (2) When you return home, offer to give a program at one of your public places, such as your church or local library. (3) Be prepared for the one-minute speech, or the supposedly hurried individual who only wants the best and the worst of the trip. (4) Make a twenty-picture photo album of some photos, bring it with you, and offer to show it if someone asks. (5) While you are on your trip, chronicle your daily activities and write a postcard for each day or location. (6) Use Roberson’s Travel Test to write about your trip.

Chapter Three:

Different People

Scenario. After a few years of living in Olomouc, Czech Republic, I began to notice small bronze plaques on the sidewalks. I was usually in too big of a hurry to notice or read them. Eventually, I stopped