2015 The Year That Changed Me

2015 was a year that changed my life, a year that changed me, and a year I will never forget.

I visited six countries, grew in confidence and achieved things I never thought I was capable of….

Colombia

I started the year in Bogota, Colombia; a city in a country and continent I had never visited and although I was only there a week the impact in this short time would transform my outlook on life.

The trip was part of an internship I was undertaking with my church; a one year work placement where you volunteer your time, learn new skills, develop friendships, grow in faith and travel the world!

Bogota was host to an international church conference with over 24,000 people attending from across the globe, run by one of the world’s largest churches, International Charismatic Mission, which has over 150,000 members.

The church has been a major influence in bringing positive change to a city and country famed for its history of violence and drugs, and you can now walk around a city formerly rated as the most dangerous in the world.

And it was during this week that my perspective in life changed, and I truly started to believe anything was possible with God; seeing the difference it can make when a group of people start to live by faith and not by fear.

Bogota is a modern city where the young people of the church face the same challenges and temptations as we do in ‘the Western world’, but the difference is that they trust in God rather than the world and believe they can bring real change to their city and have.

The conference ended with an event in Simon Bolivar Park, one of the largest in Bogota, where over 130,00 people came to hear German evangelist Reinhard Bonnke preach.

The event included live music and looked very similar to musical festivals I’d attended before, with it’s large stage and thousands of spectators, but the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different.

There was no one getting drunk or high or speaking negatively, there was no smell of spilt beer or cannabis. There wasn’t the pushing and shoving you come to expect at these events just people hungry to hear the word of God. It was an atmosphere of joy and optimism, with people from different nations dancing and worshiping together, an atmosphere I’d not experienced on such a large scale and one I will never forget.

This trip filled me with a confidence and purpose I had not known and it was the start of many great things to come…

South Africa

In my year of travelling, just a few months after visiting Colombia I was off again, this time to South Africa. It was the second trip of my internship year and again would have a profound impact on me.

This trip was a real turning point in my life, as I conquered my biggest fear - public speaking. For years it had held me back, I haven’t been afraid of many things, but this was a big one and I would stay clear of it at any cost.

I overlooked university units because they contained verbal presentations and as a shy person I didn’t think too much of it.

But I was wrong, there’s nothing positive about being fearful, it just holds you back from fulfilling your true potential. In South Africa I was given the chance to speak in front of hundreds of people at church and although I was nervous I decided to go for it.

My pastor asked if I would do a short preach to our sister church in South Africa, ironically on confidence. I had definitely grown in confidence since travelling to Colombia and starting the internship but had yet to confront my fear of public speaking.

In the past I would probably have said no, but something had changed in me and I agreed to do it. I remember going back to our guest house rather nervous, as whenever I’ve done public speaking in the past I hadn’t been very good at it due to nerves and it had only lowered my confidence rather than boosted it.

But I trusted in God and prayed that this time would be different and it was! I can honestly say I was nervous until the moment I got on stage, but as soon as I got on the platform the nerves left.

The preach went so well that the pastor asked me to preach again a few days later and I have subsequently spoken at other church events back home to even larger numbers of people.

It is now something I feel privileged and even enjoy doing and I can’t be thankful enough to my pastor for believing in me and God for releasing me from this fear. It’s amazing what can happen when you step out in faith.

As part of this trip we also had the opportunity to visit a number of schools, many made up of children from the local townships.

These children had very little but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the joy on their faces. They were ecstatic when we turned up in our mickey mouse costumes and turned on the music to worship songs they knew and loved.

It made me realise how privileged I am and that the problems I face are far less significant than the daily struggles affecting so many around the world.

Germany

At the end of June I was travelling again, departing for Europe. I caught a 6am flight to Stuttgart not knowing what to expect but knowing an amazing adventure awaited.

Me and my brother had both bought interrail passes meaning we could travel by train across almost any European country, with out first stop being Germany.

I hadn’t planned to go to Europe this Summer but after visiting Colombia and South Africa I had really caught the travel bug and just wanted to explore the world out there.

I was thinking about doing a trip round Europe the following summer, but after discovering that the price of an interrail pass doubled when you turned 26, the decision was made, it had to be in 2015!

Stuttgart was a historic city, with the centerpiece being the Royal Palace, Das Neue Schloss, simply translated as The New Palace.

I remember it being incredibly hot day in Stuttgart that day, around 35°c, so to avoid the heat we took the metro to the Mercedes Benz Museum, one of the city’s main tourist attractions and from the outset you could see why.

It was a beautifully futuristic looking building, which could be seen from miles around and did justice to the world famous brand.

The inside was more impressive than the outside; it had many levels which spiraled up to the top, with the tour starting from the summit and gently winding back around the spherical building, taking your on an incredible journey from the earliest motorcar to the modern day supercar.

The museum was incredibly cool inside, and a refreshing break after the scorching temperatures outside and everything about it was perfect; from the architecture to the ingenious of the car designs.

I am not the biggest car enthusiast, but I loved this museum and thoroughly enjoyed the few hours we spent there, if you’re ever in Stuttgart you have to visit this place. It was a fantastic start to our trip but the best was yet to come…

Switzerland

On the second day of our travels we got up bright and early to catch the train to Switzerland, a four hour journey to Interlaken, a small town in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland was a country I’d always dreamed about visiting, from watching films like the Great Escape as a child, I was captivated by the beauty of its mountainous landscape and it was not to disappoint.

As the train drew us closer to our destination I could see these mystical distant shapes appearing beneath the clouds, breaking free from the mist, jagged and curved, like dinosaurs of the modern world.

Far in the distance the Swiss Alps stood, like a mirage in the desert, awaiting our arrival. I felt like a kid at Christmas, rushing to the other side of the train to catch a glimpse and will never forget the amazement I felt when I realised the clouds were actually snow on top of the mountains.

Interlaken and the area surrounding Lake Brienz were the picturesque places you imagine when you think of Switzerland, with wooden chalets, alpine forests and the sound of cows bells, as the animals literally had them around their necks.

Me and my brother were privileged to stay in a hotel with the most incredible view across the turquoise coloured Lake Brienz and the breathtaking mountains the other side of it.

We went kayaking on the lake and hiking in the hills, but by far the most awe-inspiring part of our stay was travelling up to the magnificent Swiss Alps to the world famous Jungfrau region.

They were hidden behind the ‘smaller’ mountains surrounding Interlaken and the train journey up was the most incredible I’ll probably ever go on. We passed jaw-dropping waterfalls and serene valleys, reminding me of scenes from Lord of the Rings.

I’d never seen such awesome sights, the scale of the mountains as you twisted your head to try and see their peaks was incredible, but when the train reached its ascent the greatest treat was in store. After twisting and turning our way through the valleys and ski resorts we were finally in full view of the Jungfrau.

We jumped off the train, instantly pulling out our camera phones to take pictures of this majestic scenery. We could have looked at the view all day, but sadly the last train back was only an hour away, so we made the most of the short time, taking as many snaps and memories as we could.

I have to visit this place again, it was like nothing I’d ever seen before; it really does take your breath away, the size of it, the splendor, if ever you get the chance to go then take it, you won’t be disappointed!

Italy

After a few unforgettable days in Switzerland we moved onto our next location, another place I’d always wanted to visit, Venice!

Venice

Venice was a magical place, it was like a theme park; with all it’s different islands and sections and had an incredible buzz that hits you the second you cross over the first bridge.

It was surreal being there, like you were in a film, as you travelled around on the water taxis; recognising sights you’ve seen a thousand times on TV, it felt like you were dreaming.

We also loved navigating our way across the city, trying to find the infamous St Marks Square. It was like a maze as we found dead ends and waterways at almost every turn, but it was great fun. I’d thoroughly recommend walking around the city, as you get to see all the little gems you otherwise wouldn’t spot.

But having said that you must also take the water taxis, their great value, unlike the gondolas, and it gives you a different perspective and feels incredible being out on the water.

Visiting Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the supreme authority of Venice is a must. The lavishness and magnificence will astound you, the ceilings are painted of gold, with tapestry that rivals the Sistine Chapel, we stumbled across it but I’m so glad we did.

Florence

Florence was another beautiful Italian city, and like Venice steeped in history, owing much of its outstanding architecture to the renaissance period.

The 10 days we picked to travel to Europe had coincided with a heatwave across the continent, meaning when we arrived in the Tuscan capital, temperatures were close to 40°c.

I enjoy hot weather, but this was too much, especially in an inland city, without the blessing of a sea breeze. We walked in the shade where we could, taking advantage of the city’s numerous water fountains and ice cream shops.

The ice cream or ‘Gelato’ as its commonly known was the best I’ve ever tasted, with intense fruity flavours I will never forget, sadly nothing in the UK has lived up to this since I returned.

One of the highlights of this stay was climbing the 14th Century bell tower of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence’s most famous landmark. The bell tower has 414 uneven and highly steep steps, which make you feel like you’re going to fall down at any moment.

But it was a good laugh and the views from the top were well worth it; overlooking the historic city, with its picturesque terracotta roofs.

Lido Di Camaiore

Our final stop on our European tour was the town the seaside town of Camaiore, not far from Pisa.

After an amazing, but hectic eight days, hopping from one place to another, it was nice to just relax on a beach for the final part of our trip.

I remember taking a dip in the refreshingly warm Mediterranean sea, overlooking the mountains in the distance when I felt a tingling sensation on my leg, at first I thought it was because the sea was salty, but then I had the feeling all over, I looked down and to my horror were shoals of jellyfish swimming right next to me!

I rushed out of the water and went to the nearest shower, trying to wash away the slight but annoying pain, and unsurprisingly it didn’t work.

Blotches started to appear across my body, and after a conversation with the lifeguard I was directed to the nearest pharmacy to buy a pen that would reduce the pain. It did and I got on with it and enjoyed the rest of the trip, swimming in the sea again, just taking more precaution where I swam this time!

Relaxing in Camaiore was a nice way to end the adventure and the food like in the rest of Italy was delicious and very reasonable, you could buy a large pizza for as little as €5 and it tasted amazing.

The European trip was one the best holidays I’ve ever been on, getting to see some of the world’s most beautiful natural and man-made landmarks. I also loved travelling from country to country via train. But the best bit was getting to have a great time with my brother. If you’re thinking of interrailing, do it!

Scotland

My final trip of the year was to Scotland, surprisingly the furthest North I’d ever been, for a weekend break with my family.

The scenery was simply stunning and at times I thought I was back in South Africa or Switzerland rather than the Scottish Highlands.

It was such a tranquil place and I felt relaxed from the minute I breathed in the crisp, clean Scottish air.

We stayed in a hotel that resembled a Castle and served the best steak I’ve ever tasted, even greater than the ones on offer in South Africa and Colombia.

We hired a car for the weekend, which was without doubt the best way to see the many lochs, mountains and valleys of the Scottish Highlands. I never knew there could be such beauty in the United Kingdom and it rivaled the incredible sights I’d seen around the world that year.

There is so much to do and see in Scotland that I have to go back, ever since I saw Skyfall I’ve been itching to visit and it did not disappoint, exceeding my high expectations.

2015 was the best year of my life, I would never have believed what I was about to do or see but I now know that anything is possible with God.