I often get asked when I started travelling and why I love it so much.

My high school offered an exchange program, to Germany, when I was 15 in ‘98/99.

I didn’t want to go. It was 6 weeks over summer, including Christmas and New Year, and none of my friends were going. My parents thought it would be a great experience, so the only choice I was left with was what town to visit, Passau or Gottingen.

I chose Gottingen, thinking back now, I don’t even know why. Shortly after making the choice I found out who my exchange partner and family would be. Annika Gerstenberg, 16.

We quickly began writing each other letters and sending photos of ourselves, family and friends. We seemed to hit it off, having many things in common and soon enough I could not wait to meet Annika and her family and get to this far away country and see and experience all the things I read about from Annika.

The next 6 weeks saw me attend Annika’s high school, not having to wear uniform, like back in Australia, a huge cafeteria like in all the America sitcoms I’d grown up watching, meeting all her school friends, including a very cute boy, Ramon, who I had a little 6 week romance with (and spoke limited English), and getting to know her family.

We spent time at the Weihnachstmarkt (Christmas Market) in Gottingen and travelled to Nurnberg, Bavaria, visiting the Aldstadt (old Town), Kaiserburg Castle and Hauptmarkt (central square) where arguably the world biggest and best Weihnachstmarkt is held.

The market was sensory overload but in the best possible way, meandering through the maze of market stalls, experiencing all the different smells and flavours, bratwurst, roasted chestnuts, Gluhwein (hot mulled red wine), walking past Gingerbread hanging from the stalls, emblazoned with “Ich Liebe Dich” (I love you!) and of course stopping to try the local German beer, which is completely legal as a 16 year old (I was only 4 months shy, but who’s counting!)

Back to Gottingen to experience my first ever Christmas away from my Family back in Australia. The giving of presents is done on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning and Christmas day saw us devouring a hot roasted Goose (what!!) with all the trimmings. I found this all a bit strange however it was such a great firsthand experience to see how other people celebrate Christmas and the traditions they have.

It was now time to say goodbyes and for the school group to move onto Berlin for some sightseeing before heading back to Australia.

In such a short time the Gerstenbergs had embraced me like their own daughter and Annika and I were like sisters from different misters. My eyes, mind and heart had been opened to the world and what it had to offer and I was officially hooked!

Over the years our families have grown to know and love each other. Annika came to Australia for her part of the exchange in 1999. In 2002 I went back to Germany to live for 3 months and my parents came to meet the Gerstenbergs and now are two families are forever intertwined. Annika’s sister and husband have been to Australia twice and are currently organising a third trip with their daughters, my parents went to their wedding back in Germany, we all went to Annika’s wedding to Moritz in 2013, and the pair then had their honeymoon in Australia later that same year. In April 2016 Annika’s second child, her daughter Lenia, was born on my Birthday and she asked me to be her Godmother (Of course, what an honour!). In January 2017 I made the trip with my entire family, including my 7 year old niece, back to my German family in Gottingen to meet my God daughter. And now the families connections continue to evolve with my niece and Annika’s nieces meeting each other, not knowing a word of the each others languages but somehow managing to embrace each other, play games, share meals and start a friendship that we can only hope lasts like mine and Annika’s.

How can you not love travel after a first experience like that?!

Meeting people on the other side of the world, having the same values and so many things in common that sees the friendship still going strong 20 years later. The sights and the smells of somewhere new, visiting foreign towns and ancient castles, hearing people speak a different language around you day in and day out wondering what they’re saying, tasting different food and drinks, experiencing weather that we don’t have in Australia, having people so interested and fascinated in where you’re from and reciprocating the same interest in them and their country…..that’s what sparked my wanderlust.

And it’s all those friendships, experiences and firsts I chase and want to have in as many countries as I can get to…

The Berry-Smiths being hosted in Germany by the Gerstenbergs, Meyers and Rupperts in January 2017

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